BleepingComputer.com: Unable to set monitor to optimal resolution

I recently bought a Samsung SyncMaster B2030 20 inch monitor. When I connected it to my computer, the monitor started displaying with a resolution of 1024 by 768. I want to set the monitor resolution to 1600 by 900 as this is the native resolution of the monitor. However, the resolution 1600 by 900 is not in the list of options. Also, I cannot set the resolution to any value higher 1024 by 768 (even though these higher values are found in the range of 'Screen resolution' under 'Settings' tab of 'Properties'). Is there a way of displaying 1600 by 900 or displaying images at another resolution in a way that does not stress the eyes? Or, should I just replace the monitor with another one? I am using Windows XP. More details about the specifications of my computer is at http://speccy.piriform.com/results/yrkOadZEmcHAOknuLRF2j6c

I don't think the integrated graphics even supports that resolution. That board is a bit long in the tooth.

http://www.asrock.com/mb/faq.asp?Model=K7S41GX I did find that. Possibly a BIOS update and newer drivers might add some resolution options, maybe not. If you are trying to get your new monitor to run at native resolution, with your current onboard graphics, your options are limited.

Hi
It appears that the built in video does not support that resolution.

http://w3.sis.com/support/support_faqs_4.htm

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Motherboard manual here http://www.asrock.com/mb/manual.asp?Model=K7S41GX

It looks like you need to get a 1.5Volt AGP card according to the manual.

Good Luck
Roger

I see dpunisher beat me to it.

This post has been edited by rotor123: 03 February 2012 - 01:48 PM

First of all, thanks to both of you and sorry for the late reply. So far, I have updated the driver of the onboard graphics. I also tried to update the BIOS. According to the instructions on 'How to update' (available at http://www.asrock.com/MB/download.asp?Model=K7S41GX&o=BIOS), I need to update the BIOS from a bootable floppy disk. However, my computer does not have a floppy drive. So, I asked ASRock (manufacturer of the motherboard of my computer) for an alternative suggestion to proceed with the BIOS update.

With the new driver, I can see resolutions with aspect ratio of 16:9 (e.g. 1280 by 720, 1366 by 768) under the options for screen resolution. However, if I set the monitor to these resolutions, my browser window becomes stretched and I cannot see everything of the browser on the monitor (I have to drag the browser to the left or the right to see the hidden portion of the browser window).

Based on the above, I think I have the following choices:

1) try to update the BIOS and set the monitor resolution to any aspect ratio of 16:9 (1280 by 720 or 1366 by 768)
2) replace the current monitor and get a different monitor
3) add a 1.5 V AGP card

What is your suggestion?

If you suggest 2), is there a specific resolution that I should be looking for? On the otherhand, if 3) is preferred, how should I choose from the different items (e.g. when I searched on Newegg, I found six items. http://www.newegg.ca/Product/ProductList.aspx?Submit=ENE&N=100007708+600007791+600007850&QksAutoSuggestion=&ShowDeactivatedMark=False&Configurator=&IsNodeId=1&Subcategory=48&description=&hisInDesc=&Ntk=&CFG=&SpeTabStoreType=&AdvancedSearch=1&srchInDesc=)

I'd probably go with this one
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814139165

It shows max resolution of 2048 x 1536@60Hz which is higher than you need.

Nothing fancy but if you were happy with the built-in video this is better.

Cheers
Roger

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Is there a reason for preferring the one above? I am curious to know because you must have chosen this for some features it offers that I do not know much about. To my primitive knowledge, it seems that there are other items on the newegg list which offer greater memory size for about the same price.

The reason I picked it was it was the cheapest that showed resolutions beyond what you need. The others may but they didn't say so.
Just me being cautious.

It shows max resolution of 2048 x 1536@60Hz which is higher than you need.

If the others do say & I missed it then they would do fine too.

How to increase the resolution in my system its a desktop with lcd monitor?

I added a graphics card (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814187045) to the computer and the monitor works with its native resolution. However, the computer freezes and restarts once or twice either during or immediately after start-up. Once the computer starts working properly, it does not shut down again. So, I removed the agp card before starting the computer today and it started normally.

In the light of the above, do you think that the graphics card needs to be replaced? Also, if the issue is related to the power consumption of the graphics card, my PSU is Orion P4-485.