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AR15.COM
5/9/2007 5:32:23 AM EDT
My mom got a new computer at work it's a Dell Optiplex with the video chipset integrated on the Motherboard. Her IT dude set it up for her, the output to the lcd monitor is a DVI plug and the input to the monitor is a VGA plug so they put an adapter in the middle.  Her Icons and text look stretched and pixellated now, the only resolution level that looks right is a wide screen mode that leaves a black bar at the top and bottom of the screen. Should she just buy a new monitor that accepts digital input? and if so should it be a widescreen? Any advice appreciated.
5/9/2007 9:01:05 AM EDT
[#1]
Check to see the refresh rate isn't set way too high for the older monitor.  DVI-VGA adaptors work just fine.  

Also, check the manual controls on the monitor itself...maybe its stretching at the display end, not the input.
5/9/2007 10:23:31 PM EDT
[#2]
I'm confused - is the computer putting out dvi and it's converted to vga, or vice-versa? it changes the answer.
5/9/2007 11:07:53 PM EDT
[#3]
Theres an adapter that plugs into the computers DVI port, the adapter then accepts a standard VGA cable. I assume that the output is the type of DVI which is capable of both digital and analog output.  I just can't figure out why the screen is only rendered properly while using widescreen mode even though it's not a widescreen monitor.

In other words, if I set the resolution to a widescreen setting the icons and text are rendered perfectly but there is a band of black at the top and bottom of the screen.  When I set the resolution to a non widescreen setting it is stretching and distorting the icons and text leaving them pixellated but the whole screen is being used.  

This is my first time trying to deal with an lcd monitor and I'm learning as I go, the hard part obviously is learning how to ask the question.  My mom has astigmatism and this is driving her nuts, and the IT guy just showed her the display properties box and told her to fiddle around with it until she was happy and left. Thanks for responding.
5/9/2007 11:41:10 PM EDT
[#4]
the best way is to get an lcd monitor that supports dvi natively. this cuts out the whole adapter thing. then, set the desktop resolution to the native resolution of the display - I suspect the desktop is 800*600 and the native display is 1280*1024 or something similar, and the lcd panel is squashing it arounf to make it fit.

so, first step: set desktop to same resolution as native resolution as monitor
second step: if that doesn't work, get an lcd panel that supports dvi and repeat step one

if you have a model number, it's easy to find out the native resolution
5/9/2007 11:53:07 PM EDT
[#5]
Thank you, I really wanted a little more knowlege before I told her that buying a new monitor would fix her problem!