external monitor not detected (X200 / Vista 32)

[lyzerana]

Hi,

I am trying to solve this already since days without any success. I can't get my Thinkpad X200 to recognize my Samsung Syncmaster 960BF. It works without a problem on my Macbook.

My X200 doesn't even recognise that there is an external monitor connected. I tried it from display settings in the control panel, the short cut, installed the drivers again (though there is not really one for the Vista - only for XP, 200 etc).

Anyone who has solved a similar problem already or anyone who has a clue how I could get my X200 recognizing my external monitor?

Thanks a lot!!

[Harryc]

Are you using VGA or displayport to DVI?

[lyzerana]

Thanks for the quick answer!!
I use a displayport to DVI, why? does this matter? (sorry, don't know too much about the possible consequences for this).

[Harryc]

Try VGA, let us know if that works. If you can at least get a signal from the LCD using VGA I may have a solution for you.

[lyzerana]

sorry for the follow up - what do you mean? Try a VGA cable (the monitor only as a dvi port) or running the X200 in VGA mode (I tried that one already and it didn't work either.

Thanks

[Harryc]

OK, didn't realize the LCD only has a DVI port. Well, you can try to write your own EDID override and program that into windows, but it assumes that the LCD is at least seen by windows. Run Moninfo and tell us if the LCD is seen by that program.

http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/moninfo.shtm

[lyzerana]

O.k

First, sorry, I misread your previous question. I am using a DVi (female) to VGA (male) adaptor - not a displayport to DVI one (I don't have an Ultrabase).

Second, I run the Moninfo and that is the result:

Monitor
Model name............... SyncMaster
Manufacturer............. Samsung
Plug and Play ID......... SAM01E4
Serial number............ HMEL308296
Manufacture date......... 2006, ISO week 13
-------------------------
EDID revision............ 1.3
Input signal type........ Analog 0.700,0.300 (1.0V p-p)
Sync input support....... Separate, Composite, Sync-on-green
Display type............. RGB color
Screen size.............. 380 x 300 mm (19.1 in)
Power management......... Active off/sleep
Extension blocs.......... None
-------------------------
DDC/CI................... Not supported

Color characteristics
Default color space...... Non-sRGB
Display gamma............ 2.20
Red chromaticity......... Rx 0.640 - Ry 0.329
Green chromaticity....... Gx 0.300 - Gy 0.600
Blue chromaticity........ Bx 0.150 - By 0.060
White point (default).... Wx 0.313 - Wy 0.329
Additional descriptors... None

Timing characteristics
Horizontal scan range.... 30-81kHz
Vertical scan range...... 56-76Hz
Video bandwidth.......... 140MHz
CVT standard............. Not supported
GTF standard............. Not supported
Additional descriptors... None
Preferred timing......... Yes
Native/preferred timing.. 1280x1024p at 60Hz (5:4)
Modeline............... "1280x1024" 108.000 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync

Standard timings supported
720 x 400p at 70Hz - IBM VGA
640 x 480p at 60Hz - IBM VGA
640 x 480p at 67Hz - Apple Mac II
640 x 480p at 72Hz - VESA
640 x 480p at 75Hz - VESA
800 x 600p at 56Hz - VESA
800 x 600p at 60Hz - VESA
800 x 600p at 72Hz - VESA
800 x 600p at 75Hz - VESA
832 x 624p at 75Hz - Apple Mac II
1024 x 768p at 60Hz - VESA
1024 x 768p at 70Hz - VESA
1024 x 768p at 75Hz - VESA
1280 x 1024p at 75Hz - VESA
1152 x 870p at 75Hz - Apple Mac II
1280 x 1024p at 60Hz - VESA STD
1280 x 960p at 60Hz - VESA STD
1152 x 864p at 75Hz - VESA STD

Report information
Date generated........... 28/01/2010
Software revision........ 2.43.0.822
Operating system......... 6.0.6002.2.Service Pack 2

Raw data
00,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,FF,00,4C,2D,E4,01,39,31,4A,48,0D,10,01,03,0E,26,1E,78,2A,DE,95,A3,54,4C,99,26,
0F,50,54,BF,EF,80,81,80,81,40,71,4F,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,01,30,2A,00,98,51,00,2A,40,30,70,
13,00,78,2D,11,00,00,1E,00,00,00,FD,00,38,4C,1E,51,0E,00,0A,20,20,20,20,20,20,00,00,00,FC,00,53,
79,6E,63,4D,61,73,74,65,72,0A,20,20,00,00,00,FF,00,48,4D,45,4C,33,30,38,32,39,36,0A,20,20,00,BF


Thanks a lot!!!!

[Harryc]

OK, using this Modeline............... "1280x1024" 108.000 1280 1328 1440 1688 1024 1025 1028 1066 +hsync +vsync

Create an EDID override with DTD Calc....see this thread -

http://forums.lenovo.com/t5/T400-T500-a ... 418/page/2

The thread talks about 1600x900, but the same principles apply to your 1280x1024 LCD. One tip...you must run DTD Calc as an administrator in Vista.

[lyzerana]

Thanks - seems to be what I need. However, I basically don't know how to do it in detail. Can you probably walk me through this process in a bit more detail please? I tried to figure it out on my own, but I am not sure what and where I should change it.

I was able to calculate the modeline 30 2A 00 98 51 00 2A 40 30 70 13 00 00 00 00 00 00 1E, (question left open was if I should tick the box for 'interlaced' so I left it unticked). Where do I have to paste this into now?

Basically, that's where you loose me. I guess, I should use moninfo for this. the thread you send, unfortunately, does not tell me that - seems like those persons knew much more about this issue than I do.

Thanks a lot !!

PS: I hope that doesn't f*** up me X200 display?

[Harryc]

DTD Calc is the tool that writes to registry. On one of the tabs you click on get calculated, it will pull your calculated modeline in, then you can write it to registry, and then you reboot. Again you have to be running the tool as Administrator. If you want more detail you'll have to wait a day or 2 because I am currently booted into Linux.

[lyzerana]

perfect. got that, however, though being the admin on my system, I still get the message "access to registry not allowed" - solution?

[Harryc]

This is Vista right? Start DTD Calc by right clicking on it's icon and selecting 'Run as Administrator'.

[lyzerana]

Ok, did that. Wrote it to the registry successfully, DTDCal asked me for a reboot. I did that, but still it does not see the external monitor. What is interesting though is that now my thinkpad LCD is named Samsung in the control panel for the display settings. Any other idea?

[lyzerana]

Hy Harry C.

I managed to get back to normal with my display settings and have a couple of things that might help you to see a solution in my case.

If I go into the 'display settings' control panel I can see two displays coming up as long as I plug the external monitor in. However, the second one is running under the heading of 'Default Monitor' in a 800x600 resolution with a refresh rate of 60 Hz. It is, not flagged out as connected or activated, ie it is dashed in black. If I select it, I can classify it as 'attached', though this does not change anything in terms of successful functioning.

Also, if I click on 'properties' of the monitor, I can see that it is run as '(Default Monitor) on Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family'. It is thus not listed as Samsung, etc. Under the 'advanced settings' of this monitor, I can see that the refresh rate is 60 Hz, but I can't change anything hear. Neither can I click on 'Properties' (this button is not activated for this monitor, where as the respective buttom is activated for my normal Thinkpad LCD respectively and I would find there the menu for changing driver, etc.)

As it looks, I was not able to somehow get the laptop even 'thinking' that it would have an external monitor connected that uses a specific driver, in fact, any driver ...

Any idea? Is there a possibility to install another standard VGA monitor driver that might fit my Samsung Syncmaster 960BF and we could work it out from there then or do you have a better idea? Or did I do something not correctly with the Modeline posting into the registry and I should try that again?

Any help appreciated!!

[Harryc]

No, I believe that you did everything correctly. I did not reply again because I have no idea what to do to make your monitor work. It may simply be incompatible with the laptop for any number of reasons. Good luck.

[lyzerana]

Thanks anyway!!

If anyone else has an idea, please let me know.