Monitor is too dark, would new graphics card fix this?

[dave2849]

Recently someone gave me their desktop computer and it works fine but when I use my lcd monitor with this computer, the image is always too dark. This computer runs windows 7 and I have used the monitor calibrating tool that comes with windows 7 but it didn't really help much. I have also manually adjusted the brightness, contrast and gamma through the computer and that didn't help much either. No matter what setting I use, my eyes feel strained because the image on the screen is not vibrant and bright enough.

I have just now connected my monitor to my laptop that I was using before the desktop computer was given to me and there is no problem. The image on the screen is just fine and there is no strain on my eyes so I know it isn't the monitor. I think it might be the video card on the desktop computer that was given to me that is causing the problem. Actually, the computer that was given to me has integrated graphics on the motherboard so I was thinking of upgrading to a very basic graphics card with the hopes that this will fix the problem of the monitor appearing too dark when connected to that computer.

Does this make sense? Is my best bet to upgrade to a new graphics card or is there something else I could try?

 

[3DVagabond]

Sounds like a new card could fix it. We'll need to know your system specs though.

 

[dave2849]

Here are my specs:

Gateway DX4710 Desktop Computer
Motherboard-Gateway G33M05G1
Video card-Integrated Intel GMA X3100/Intel G33 chipset
Processor-Intel Core 2 Quad Q8300
Ram-4GB
Monitor-Gateway HD 1900 (FDP 1930)

 

[zebrax2]

Try reinstalling the drivers? Also check your settings in color management.

 

[ViRGE]

This one is actually a bit of a tough one. Generally speaking there's no reason that a video card would make the image brighter. But with that said, Intel's GMA GPUs always had absolutely awful color management.

If it's not too much trouble, could you please download FRAPS, set it to "Monitor Aero Desktop", and then take some screenshots? That will accurately capture what Windows is sending to your monitor, which would give us a better idea of what's going on. Also, some screenshots of your color settings in the Intel control panel would be very handy.

 

[dave2849]

Thanks for the help. I will do that and get back to you guys.

 

[Wall Street]

I guess I have to be captain obvious here. Why not just turn up the brightness? Is is dark even when brightness is at max in desktop color settings?

 

[T_Yamamoto]

I guess I have to be captain obvious here. Why not just turn up the brightness? Is is dark even when brightness is at max in desktop color settings?

That's what I thought.

 

[dave2849]

I did adjust the brightness and contrast all the way to max and it didn't help. I did this using the settings on the computer and also on the monitor.

 

[dave2849]

Hey guys, I have not been able to upload my desktop screenshots to the forum but I put them on flickr.com. The link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/87378883@N03/.

One shot is of my desktop by itself and the other is a screenshot of my color settings in the intel control panel. If the link above doesn't work then just search for "techdude80" under people on flickr and you will find my photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87378883@N03/

 

[ViRGE]

Hey guys, I have not been able to upload my desktop screenshots to the forum but I put them on flickr.com. The link is http://www.flickr.com/photos/87378883@N03/.

One shot is of my desktop by itself and the other is a screenshot of my color settings in the intel control panel. If the link above doesn't work then just search for "techdude80" under people on flickr and you will find my photos.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/87378883@N03/

Well that settles one thing: your desktop itself isn't too dark, so Windows isn't being told to intentionally send a dark image. My gut instinct points to the monitor, but you've already tried that on another device with correct results. A new graphics card will probably fix your issue, but I have to say this one has me stumped.:|

 

[dave2849]

The other thing I will add is that my dad gave me the desktop computer and he is into photo editing. He had bought a device called the x-rite i1display that calibrated the monitor to display photos accurately. When he gave me the computer I deleted the i1display program and did a clean install of windows 7 and I believe I have gotten rid of the previous color settings configured by the i1display. I wonder if it is possible that clean installing windows did not get rid of those color settings calibrated by the i1display and that is what is causing problems.

 

[LeviathanPT]

Have you checked windows for remaining colour profiles that he may have left behind ? Sometimes that can be the reason since a color profile for one screen wont be equal to the other.

 

[zebrax2]

Are using the dvi connection? Have you tried using the VGA connection or vise versa

 

[dave2849]

I have checked my color management settings in the Windows control panel and there do not appear to be any color profiles that have been left behind. In the advanced tab, it lists all the color profiles as system default.

 

[dave2849]

I am using a VGA connection as I only have VGA output on my computer. If I get a new video card I could use the DVI on that as my monitor supports DVI. Also, if I get a new video card, it appears that I will only need to spend about $40 for one that will be used for basic web browsing and work activities. I don't think I should spend any more than that considering the computer is around 4 years old.