XP refresh problem, stuck at 60hz after Reforce

mr-malt

Not sure why I'm having this problem....never did on my old system that used the same graphics card and monitor. On that computer, I was able to set my desktop refresh in "properties" (and it worked), just had to use Reforce as games would drop to 60hz without. It worked without a hitch.

On my new system....nothing is working to correct it. I tried Reforce, so my desktop at 1024x768 only has it's max choice: 85hz. Yet my monitor's menu (and eyes) confirms I'm stuck at 60hz.

Any ideas? I have just gotten a problem with my board taken care of (RMA'd it), now a new one arises .

System specs if helpful:
Windows XP Professional OEM SP1

Albatron KX18D ProII Nforce2 Ultra 400
Nvidia 3.13 drivers

Radeon 9500 Pro
Catalyst Omega 2536b

KDS 17" Trinitron monitor

Any ideas? I'm doubting it's hardware....more likely windows?

BlackHawk

AFAIK with the latest drivers, you don't need Reforce anymore.

mr-malt

If I'm still not getting higher than 60 at desktop....any ideas on what I can do? Windows says I'm at 85, but my monitor is indeed at 60. Not sure if that means my monitor finally bugged out or what? It has been getting major distortion at the bottom edge of the screen (looks like it wants to squish badly, several mm's from true screen edge). This becomes worse the lower the refresh rate. It wasn't always like this. I guess it is my last beige component anyways....

mmonnin

Could you get ahold of another monitor to test it?

MediaMan

Indeed it is either the monitor or the graphics card/software.


The fact that your monitor is now distorting leads me to suspect the monitor itself. Does it have a factory reset button in the on screen menu for that KDS. (KDS are "economy" monitors. aka cheap)

Try the factory reset then go from there. Just for the hell of it you may try to pull out the vid card drivers and reinstall them.

mr-malt

The video card drivers actually did get reinstalled (same time I was reinstalling windows...for the second time). It had done this before, which is partly why I did reformat/reinstall windows. The other reason was major performance issues and repeated errors. Unfortunately, it didn't change. But everything else did get corrected....it does seem to matter in what order service packs, updates, and drivers are installed?!

So....KDS monitors are considered cheap???? I remember paying a hefty price for it back in '99 . OK, so maybe it really is time for a new display. I actually have had my eye on the Hitachi CML175SXW2B, based on the same Hydis Panel as the coveted Hercules 920. Except it has the speakers built in .

Straight_Man

Monitors from KDs from 99 would want 60-65 at 1024x768x32 bit, but you could run them a bit higher at 16 bit color (IIRC 68-70). The monitor I got in 2000 from KDS had an on-screen display, and one option was a manual degauss that I pressed every few months to six months. Changing video drivers or reloading the O\S meant I had to go to KDS's website and get a proper new monitor inf file for the monitor because the one with the O\S I had then was WRONG-- the monitor was actually not perfectly conformable to the PNP modes file, had to replace it with a PNP modes file for that exact KDS monitor from KDS's site-- that was running 98 SE. Check and see if there is a revised inf file for your exact model monitor at KDS's site, and see if they have a modes table for it also on the site or in a manual available as an Acrobat Reader file on their website. I got both there for my monitor, the inf file lived on a floppy for a long time.

If those two things do not help at all, along with manually configuring it for the mode on the on-screen display or with knobs (mine did not auto-adjust right, I had to play with aim, horizontal and vertical size and position), I would say retire the monitor.

John D.

MediaMan

Mr. Malt.

My apologies. We all paid hefty prices for monitors back in '99. Imagine buying SONY. ewww.

Ageek has a good suggestion. Go to the KDS website and get the latest monitor INF file for your particular model.

http://www.kdsusa.com/download/

Hope this helps.

floppybootstomp

Funnily enough, I had the same problem with a Radeon 8500 video card and Iiyama Pro 454 19" Monitor. Couldn't get out of 60Hz. Turned out to be the drivers. Installed latest Catalyst 4.4 drivers - problem solved.

From my experience I've found the Nvidia 56.64 drivers to be the most stable, do the Forceware drivers work with that card? If so, give them a try.

Also, it may be worth d/l the drivers for the Monitor, if there are any, and installing those, that sometimes helps. Oops, just noticed Ageek's & MM's reply - already covered.

mr-malt

MediaMan....very true, KDS was my cheapest 17" flat screen option. I guess I shouldn't complain, as I did get many years of acceptable performance from it! Though I did RMA it...twice .

Ageek:
As for drivers, I have the latest inf from KDS, though several years old. They are not "digitally signed" as stated by XP. I had used them previously on an old comp with no problems. This computer is a different story. The model, an AV7TF (Avitron) is listed in my options for xp, but that driver makes no difference either (though it is digitally signed).

This particular monitor was rated at 85hz at 1024x768@32bit. It had run that just fine for several years. 1280x1024@60hz was my max option. Even ran that for a time, though the low refresh finally go to me. It had run this way on 98SE and XP (albeit on a different rig). This was with drivers catalyst 3.10 (omega). I also tried the 3.10's on this rig, still was limited to 60hz. Maybe just a really bad coincidence. Oh well, there's nothing better than being forced to upgrade , and I'm sure I won't get any complaints from Mr. Visa!

MediaMan

Mr. Malt,

I find that Samsung monitors are pretty darn good and a very acceptable $. I have 3 x 19" Samsung 950P monitors. The 950 P series...if you can find it...is slightly better than the 950B series which runs a whopping $150.

The 955 DF series is a bit more but not much. It'll give you 68Hz at 1600x1200. It should do 1280x1024 @ 85Hz...my 950P does better than that.



These are CRT of course

beatz

Hi Mr Malt!

Dont wanna keep you from getting some new gear, but maybe this helps.

I had a 60 Hz problem with my Radeon 8500 once. I solved it by setting the drivers to not use DDC-Information. As far as I know, is that how the monitor tells the graphic card how much it can handle. I ran into the problem after changing the cable.

You can find the settings on the tab in the driver settings, where you can turn multiple monitors on and off. There you need to press where it says monitor. I never even knew that that was a button :confused2 . I would be more specific, but I am sure things are called different in a german XP . Maybe that helps.

Good luck!

Michael

mr-malt

beatz...THANK YOU!! In all my tinkering, I doubt I would have looked there.
I had to read your post twice to decipher what you were saying (it's hard to explain these things sometimes).
So here it is, for those with similar problems:
Display Properties-->Settings tab
Advanced
Displays tab (with newest Catalyst Omegas)
Click the Monitor button (it's in bold)

I then selected "Same as Desktop" in the Refresh Rate Overide drop down menu.
Then set my max resolution at what I want my desktop at (1024x768) and the max refresh (85hz).

And it worked, I'm now at 85hz.

Point worth noting, in this Displays section, DDC was listed as not supported, but the grayed out button for "Use DDC information" was checked. This unchecked itself when I made these changes, and consequently my refresh was back to 85hz.

Not sure if many others are running into this, but it wasn't the most logical fix (though, is it ever?).

Thanks to all for your quick help on this matter.