Using native resolution on external display results in stretched, out of bounds image

I have an HP min 311 netbook with Windows XP, which I've connected to a Samsung SyncMaster 2043BW display via the supplied analog cable.

The external display's native res is 1680x1050, which the netbook's ION GPU supports. I've configured the external display as the single display (no cloning or any such fancy stuff).

However, once I set the native res, the image just stretches out. It looks squashed, and it goes outside the monitor's edges. In contrast, lower resolutions manage to stay within the monitor's display edges, though obviously they are skewed in some way (vertically or horizontally).

BTW, the only res which seems to be displayed relatively clearly (it's the least blurry) is 1280x720.

I tried looking all over the web for an explanation/advice but could not find any.

I already played with the settings on the external display itself several times. So either it's not that, or I missed something.

Has someone run into this issue? I need help.

Roni Yaniv

Posted 2010-01-19T11:35:08.717

Reputation: 131

How is the netbook connected to the monitor? Which connection type (cable) do you use? – Martin – 2010-01-19T12:09:42.493

The netbook is connected via the monitor's supplied analog cable – Roni Yaniv – 2010-01-19T12:22:09.187

Answers

Check the monitor settings (the real monitor settings, which to set on the monitor directly). Maybe the aspect ratio is wrong or any other setting if out of bound.

Bobby

Posted 2010-01-19T11:35:08.717

Reputation: 8 534

already done that, several times :) – Roni Yaniv – 2010-01-19T12:04:18.353

As the monitor is connected with the analog VGA-cable, I assume that the monitor is using overscan mode. Thus, you might be able to correct the image by using the monitor's geometric settings like width and height.

Additionally, VGA is not designed for such high resolutions as you are using. Maybe this can cause the problem. Does it work better with lower resolutions?

Martin

Posted 2010-01-19T11:35:08.717

Reputation: 3 619

I find this a little hard to accept as all the resolutions up to the native one are handled by the monitor just fine (albeit squished a little). It's just that native one that freaks out. – Roni Yaniv – 2010-01-19T13:22:27.597

also, as for the overscan thing - why does only the native one needs it and not other res? (ress? reses?) – Roni Yaniv – 2010-01-19T13:23:57.547

Maybe because VGA can't handle this high resolution optimally. – Martin – 2010-01-19T19:30:01.217