Compaq notebook with external monitor

[wotz]

I have a compaq pressario 1200, K6 of about 45mh (from memory), win98se.

When I plug in an external monitor or video projector the image is not steady. It seems to 'shimmer' from side to side. The device manager has a standard monitor installed, which is all that should be needed.

Is there any hope for improvement?

[wotz]

OK my proof reading was a bit off. 450mhz processor. Oops its a dodgy key.

[godfather]

I had a Compaq laptop of a similar vintage once, and it was fine on an external monitor and a projector.

Is the refresh rate set to a suitable value for the screen? I have seen this happen when incompatable values are used.

[wotz]

The projector picks up the refresh rate. It also doesn't work well on my desktop monitor

[godfather]

> The projector picks up the refresh rate. It also
> doesn't work well on my desktop monitor

Well, the projector uses LCD technology which is usually dependent on a matching refresh rate, it takes what the PC gives it, it doesnt "pick it up"?

If the PC external monitor rate is incorrect you can get this effect, both on an external monitor AND a projector.

Well, put it this way. What is your external monitor refresh rate setting??

[wotz]

uummmm looks like it is picking up 38.8k - 60.2Hz Thats all I can find. From memory the notebook is putting out 75, soooooooo how do I change it?

[godfather]

> uummmm looks like it is picking up 38.8k - 60.2Hz
> Thats all I can find. From memory the notebook
> tebook is putting out 75, soooooooo how do I change
> it?


Well, if the monitor is reporting 60.2 Hz, then that is what the notebook is "putting out". 60.2 is astray, normally 60, 65. 72 etc

The monitor can't change it. You need to right-click on the desktop, select properties and do it through stiings (probably advanced?) I dont have anything but XP here now, and cant remember back to 98.

It should be self explanatory however, and look up the manual on the projector to see what refresh rate it wants.

[Susan B]

I thought it was the monitor driver that controlled the refresh rate. Until I got my new monitor I'm half sure I couldn't change my refresh rate as the old monitor's drivers didn't have that option. Or if it did, I couldn't set it any higher for an improvement (my memory's a bit dim on this now).

To change it, right click on the desktop, choose Properties>Adaptor and there's a dropdown box there to select what rate you want. I can't remember the Adaptor tab being there prior to this monitor.

[wotz]

There is no option to change the refresh rate. Guess its a fixed one on this notebook. I'll have to use another notebook. Its a bit hard to read a spreadsheet (3 of us) when the numbers don't keep still on the projector. Thanks for your help guys. Ok guyettes too

[Susan B]

Can you not find some drivers on the monitor's website? You never know, you might get lucky.

Oh, and I'm happy to be called a guy. It's gender neutral in certain circumstances in my opinion. :D

[godfather]

Install a correct driver for your external screen, then you will get whatever options are availablr for that screen.

My Toshiba notebook has the on-board LCD as monitor #1, and the driver for my external monitor is loaded as monitor #2. If I use the external monitor without the correct driver, the picture jitters.

When I had a Compaq it was very similar.

The two are independant of each other, they have a dual output video adapter.

If you have NEVER changed the external driver to match your screen (or the projector) then I suspect that is your problem.

As Susan mentioned, the driver will limit your settings to that which the monitor can disply, its NOT the other way round where the adapter responds to the monitor.

[SoniKalien]

Press FN + F3 to switch to external mode. They have 3 modes: internall (LCD), External (Monitor, projector) and both. By default, both is selected, so you will have to press the FN + F3 combo twice.

You will also get a better refresh rate on External only.

SiK