Sound too low, Monitor display does not cover full screen

[Halmos]

Please Help.
I had an old IBM computer (running WIN 98) which I replaced by a new Dell 8250 running Win XP. I did not change the speakers or the IBM monitor (17in C72) which I had. I have the following two problems:
(1) With this new computer the display does not span the entire monitor. If I increase the resolution then it does, but the size of the objects becomes smaller than it earlier (with my old computer) was.
(2) The sound coming through my speakers is very low. All the volume settings are on maximum but the sound is barely audible. This problem did not appear earlier.

Can someone please help me?? Thanks in advance.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

1) Resolution, try changing the monitor frequency. Put it at least above 75 Hz for less eye strain. This is done in display properties > settings tab > advanced > monitor tab.
I assume you've tried the buttons on the monitor itself to stretch the display?

2) Make absolutely sure the plug is in the correct spot in the back. Also, double click the speaker icon to get the Volume Control for all aspects. Chances are that your "Wave Balance" is set pretty low (or muted)

 

[Halmos]

Thanks a ton GtPrOjEcTX. I had actually not tried working with the buttons on the monitor. It works great now. I went back to the old resolution since your idea worked.
How much resolution should one ideally keep?
Thanks again.
Regarding the volume I have checked carefully and all 5 volume controls are on max. Also, there are only three places behind the computer where I can connect the speaker. Two of them give no sound and one gives low sound as I mentioned.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

if your plugs in the back are color coded, go with the green plug.

what resolution should you use? everyone has their personal preferences. on a 17" monitor I would run it at either 1024X768X32bits (standard size for 17") if you like things bigger just for the heck of it 800X600 would be the choice, but if you would like to be able to see more at one time, you could try 1152x864 for little while and see if you like it.

always keep the frequency above 75 (as high as you can put it optimally)


for the sound...try some other speakers in its place...or headphones even, just to see if you can get any sound that way.

 

[Halmos]

Thanks.
I have increased the frequency to 75 MHZ. I don't know what that determines and there is an option to increase it further...but am not sure whether it can spoil my monitor or not. But I don't want to bother you with these as I can now function. But if you get time and feel like answering, it would certainly be great.

 

[GtPrOjEcTX]

the 75Hz is the frequency of the refresh rate of the monitor. Sometimes whenever the refresh rate is low (60 Hz) people notice a flicker in the image. Bumping the Hz up will eliminate that problem. You will not ruin your monitor if you bump up the Hz, it was built for it.

On the other note, did you get the sound working?

 

[Halmos]

No I haven't. I get sound and the sound is very clear but not even close to how high it used to be with my old computer. I don't know whether its a problem with the card or just that speakers are incompatible.

 

[KingofFah]

You might try Windows Update, easiest way to see if there is an update for your card's drivers. Just a thought.

 

[Halmos]

Can you please tell me how I can find whether there is an update for my card's driver? How do I find what card I have? Just a question: Since my computer is new and so is the OS would there be a need for an update.

 

[KingofFah]

I have no clue whether dell does the windows updates or not. If they installed XP then all of their trash on the computer, they may have also done the updates. If you check the start menu there is "Windows Update" option. Just click it. Scan. It will find updated drivers for the card (i think that m$ is fairly good at putting driver updates for nics, soundcards, etc, correct me if I am wrong)

Aside from that, if the speakers are VERY old, maybe there is a problem with them. You should give the model # here and someone with some extra time will do some research on it.