Having some really funky resolution troubles, need advice

[Abunai]

I have this SyncMaster 997 DF that for the most part gives me a nice picture, but it has some quirks I could use some help on.

First oddity is when using a 1280x960 resolution either in desktop or running a game, I get this horrible effect. I think its what you call banding but Im not sure. There are several translucent rainbow shaped lines about half a centimeter thick, all over the screen. They only happen at this res for whatever reason but its pretty darn distracting.

The other quirk is only the following resolutions give me a full picture, 1024x768, 1280x960, 1280x1024, and 1600x1200. Using any resolution in between results in the screen having about 3 inches cropped off the left side. And the mouse travels off the right side of the screen like the picture has been pushed off the display.

I've installed the latest monitor drivers from Samsung, and the problems exist using a 6800 GT as well as an X800 XL so Ive ruled out the video card causing this. Not sure what else I can check, any ideas? Thanks for any help.

 

[BillyBobJoel71]

first of all, 1280 x 960 is a wide screened resolution. im sure your crt is normal 4:3, so maybe it can't support it correctly. second: same thing. those resoluitions that work are the standard aspect ratio resolutions. the in between ones are for widescreen, which your monitor doesn't support. its not a problem, and why would you run them when you can do 1280 by 1024 and get the biggest screen? (or 10 x 7 for games)

 

[Abunai]

Ah, well that makes sense. I guess I just assumed there was a problem because my old Dell "17 CRT did those resolutions without the crazy cropping/banding. Thanks for the info.

I still have a problem though. When I try to run 1024x768 @100hz refresh rate I get the same cropping problem as the other ones. And the monitor is definitely compatible with that refresh rate. Basically anything above 85hz seems to cause this. Any idea whats going on there?

 

[SynthDude2001]

Originally posted by: SuperTyphoon
first of all, 1280 x 960 is a wide screened resolution. im sure your crt is normal 4:3, so maybe it can't support it correctly. second: same thing. those resoluitions that work are the standard aspect ratio resolutions. the in between ones are for widescreen, which your monitor doesn't support. its not a problem, and why would you run them when you can do 1280 by 1024 and get the biggest screen? (or 10 x 7 for games)

Uhhhhhh.....1280x960 is not a widescreen resolution, it is actually 4:3. 1280x1024 is 5:4 and thus the "weird" one when it comes to 4:3 CRT displays.

 

[biostud]

Originally posted by: SynthDude2001

Uhhhhhh.....1280x960 is not a widescreen resolution, it is actually 4:3. 1280x1024 is 5:4 and thus the "weird" one when it comes to 4:3 CRT displays.

Exactly, 1280x1024 is used on LCD's an is for some strange reason also often used on CRT's while the 1280x960 would render a more correct picture.

First oddity is when using a 1280x960 resolution either in desktop or running a game, I get this horrible effect. I think its what you call banding but Im not sure. There are several translucent rainbow shaped lines about half a centimeter thick, all over the screen. They only happen at this res for whatever reason but its pretty darn distracting.

try degauss the monitor

The other quirk is only the following resolutions give me a full picture, 1024x768, 1280x960, 1280x1024, and 1600x1200. Using any resolution in between results in the screen having about 3 inches cropped off the left side. And the mouse travels off the right side of the screen like the picture has been pushed off the display.

these other resolutions are most likely widescreen resolutions.

I still have a problem though. When I try to run 1024x768 @100hz refresh rate I get the same cropping problem as the other ones. And the monitor is definitely compatible with that refresh rate. Basically anything above 85hz seems to cause this. Any idea whats going on there?

Most monitors have OSD's or buttons that will let you adjust the actual size and position of the picture you see. These will need to be re-adjusted when you change refresh rate.

If you want more options you can try downloading Powerstrip.

 

[Abunai]

Thanks for the advice biostud. I tried degauss awhile ago, didn't help. I notice the bended lines on 1152x864 now as well, although they're a bit smaller. I have no idea whats causing this, I appreciate any guesses anyone might have. I hope the monitor isn't a lemon.

 

[n7]

I am not certain what could to be causing your issues, but i do want to emphasize that 1280x960 is a perfectly correct resolution for your monitor (i have no idea what SuperTyphoon is smoking! ).

Have you tried manually stretching & shrinking the picture with the monitor settings to attempt to correct the problem?

I would consider your troubles valid for an exchange though; it does sound like your monitor could be pooched if nothing seems to fix this.

 

[Abunai]

OK thats good to know then.

I tried every picture moving/shaping option but the lines remain the same, and in the same exact spots. If I look close they actually fluctuate a bit as if its being distorted somehow. I was going to post some screen caps of what it looks like in games but they dont show up in the caps.

What gets me is it works great at 1024x768 or 1280x1200, and even 1600x1200 although I rarely use that. Completely clear picture, very vivid. Seems odd the resolutions in between would cause it to freak out like this.

 

[apoppin]

are you running your monitor within spec?

My 19" CRT - Samsung 955DF - will only do 85hz at 11x8; at 16x12 it must run at [only] 60hz . . . in-between resolutions run fine BUT not at a refresh rate higher than my monitor will support

edit: You mentioned having an ati and a nVidia card . . . Did you Use Driver Cleaner in between uses to COMPLETELY remove ALL traces of the other card's drivers?

 

[Abunai]

Yeah its within spec. The monitor has pretty good refresh rates, up to 85hz for 1280x1024. Can only do 70hz for 1600x1200 though.

Im borrowing the x800 from a friend, my GT is out for RMA at the moment. Used Driver Cleaner Pro to clean out all the junk before install.