External LCD fuzzy connected to X200s

[MichaelS]

I have connected separately (not both at the same time!) two X200S machines I recently bought used (but still under warranty) to the same external LCD with the same disappointing results

The first X200s has the 1440x900 display, the second the standard 1280x800 display. Both have the same Mobile Intel 4 Series Express Chipset, both are running XP Pro, and both have the same video driver, 6.14.10.5294, which the Lenovo site says is the latest version.

I am comparing what I see on the external monitor, a 20" 1600x1200 HP LP2065, with what I see when that monitor is connected to my A30P ThinkPad, all via the VGA port, and all using exactly the same video settings for the external monitor (1600x1200, 32-bit color, 60Hz) and the extended-desktop function on all three machines.

When using my A30P, type on the external screen is sharp, and all text letters are solid black. With both X200s machines, the type seems a tiny bit fuzzier, but the main difference I see is different colors appear in some of the letters, which should all be entirely black.

My first question is, is there a problem with the VGA output in X200s machines? And if so, is there anything I can do about it? Someone on the forum commented that the X200s VGA out is fuzzy, but I can't find that post.

My second question is, if I use a USB-DVI adapter to connect an X200s with my DVI screen, will this problem go away? And if so, what would be the best adapter? I see people praise the Kensington USB-DVI adapter. But I have also gotten a recommendation to investigate Express Card-DVI adapters.

Thanks.

[Harryc]

What I used with my X200 was an X200 Ultrabase with a displayport to DVI adapter, and it was fine. I have no experience with a USB-DVI adapter. For VGA, have you tried hitting the auto-adjust button on the LCD?

[RealBlackStuff]

Since all machines are running XP, have you tried MS ClearType?
http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartypeinfo.mspx

Could it be installed already in the A30P and not on the others, causing the difference?