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Problem with resolution when connecting to a projector

Anonymous
2014-10-30T18:28:56+00:00

I have regularly used my laptop connected to a projector via a VGA lead for PowerPoint and showing video clips in Windows Media Player.   It has automatically detected and adjusted for the different screen sizes of the laptop screen (1366x768) and the projector (1024x768) and projected successfully.   Recently I connected the laptop instead to a second monitor - also 1024x768 - and again it adjusted perfectly. 

It has suddenly stopped adjusting for the resolution of the projector ; when I go to Screen Resolution, the option to adjust the resolution of the second monitor is greyed out.   Regardless of whether I am using extend or duplicate, it insists both screens are 1366x768.   This has occurred with two separate projectors, both of which used to work fine.   I have also tried different VGA cables.  The end result is that the picture on the projector is squeezed widthways.

I can still connect perfectly well to the second monitor via the VGA port and it comes up with different resolutions for the two screens.   I can also connect to a television set via an HDMI cable.   I can't try an HDMI cable for the projectors as one is ceiling mounted and the other is old and doesn't have an HDMI connection.

I have checked the drivers and they seem to be up to date.

My laptop is a Dell Latitude running Windows 7.   The Graphics Card is an Intel HD Graphics 3000.   I have tried numerous suggestions already given on these forums without success.   The real puzzle is that it was working fine and nothing I can trace has changed except that I plugged it into this other monitor.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-01-15T18:20:35+00:00

    Hi Tony,

    Thank you for replying with the status of the issue. Sorry to know that the issue is still not resolved, your efforts to resolve this issue are highly appreciated.

    I suggest you to follow the method below and check if this helps:

    Method 1: Perform a System Restore.

    System Restore

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/products/features/system-restore

    System Restore disclaimer: When you use System Restore to restore the computer to a previous state, programs and updates that you installed are removed.

    Method 2: Uninstall all the hidden devices:

    Step 1: Refer to the article below to enable the Hidden devices in device manager.

    Viewing Hidden Devices

    http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/hardware/ff553955(v=vs.85).aspx

    Step 2: After enabling the hidden devices, uninstall the devices from the device manager.

    1. Press Start button.

    1. Type device manager in start search box.
    2. Select Device manager from the search result.
    3. Uninstall all the hardware which are grayed out  also uninstall the display drivers completely.
    4. Restart the computer and install the display drivers from manufacturer's website.

    Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for further assistance.

     

    Hi Rizwan

    Unfortunately I did not have an old enough restore point before the problem occurred.   I did not find anything that looked relevant in hidden devices, but in normal device manager mode when I clicked on "Monitor" it opened an entry "Generic PnP" even when there was no additional monitor or projector attached.   When an additional monitor was attached there were two such entries.   I disabled them both and I have found I can now adjust the resolution of a second monitor to a different setting from the laptop screen.

    Thanks for your help.

    Tony

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  1. Anonymous
    2014-11-04T15:12:31+00:00

    Hello  Tony,

    Thank you for replying with the status of the issue.

    Sorry to know that the issue is still not resolved and since you are unable to access Display Quality troubleshooter try to refer to the article below completely and check if this helps.

    Ways to improve display quality

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/improve-display-quality#1TC=windows-7

    Note: Skip Try the Display Quality Troubleshooter as you have already tried that and you were unable to access.

    If the issue still persists, I suggest you to update the graphic drivers on your computer:

    Step 1: Download the latest graphic drivers from the manufacturer website:

    1. Go to the manufacturer website of your computer choose the latest graphic drivers for your computer from the website.
    2. Download the drivers for your Windows 7 Operating system.
    3. Save it to the desktop location.

    Step 2: Follow the steps below to install drivers from device manager:

    1. Press Windows key + X and select  Device Manager.
    2. Search for Display Adapters and expand it.
    3. Right click on the graphics driver and select uninstall.
    4. After uninstalling the driver once again right click on the graphics driver and select Update driver software.
    5. Browse my computer for driver software.
    6. Choose the graphic drivers saved on your desktop and update.

    Now check if the issue persists.

    Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for further assistance.

    1 person found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2014-11-02T14:33:33+00:00

    Hi Tony,

    Thank you for replying with the status of the issue, sorry for delay in response.

    Let's try the following methods and check if it helps.

    Method 1: Try running the Display Quality troubleshooter and check if this helps.

    Open the Display Quality troubleshooter

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Open-the-Display-Quality-troubleshooter

    Method 2: If the issue still persists you may follow the article and check if this helps.

    Getting the best display on your monitor

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/getting-best-display-monitor#getting-best-display-monitor=windows-7

    Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for further assistance.

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  3. Anonymous
    2014-10-31T18:29:54+00:00

    Hello Tony,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft community.

    Based on the issue description, I understand that you are unable to change the Screen Resolution, the option to adjust the resolution of the second monitor is greyed out.

    I can understand how frustrating it could be when computer behaves unusual.

    This may happen if the driver for the graphic card are corrupted or due to Cable or the port on the device are faulty.

    To understand this issue better, I would like to know the following information:

    1. What is the make and model of the projector?
    2. Have you made any recent changes to the computer prior to this issue?
    3. Do you get any error message when this the screen resolution fails?

    Method 1: Place the computer in clean boot state and check if the projector screen resolution is fine:

    A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. You may also troubleshoot or determine what conflict is causing the problem by performing a clean boot.

     

    How to perform a clean boot.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: To reset the computer to normal mode after troubleshooting, please refer “How to reset the computer to start as usual” from the above article.

    Try to update the display card driver on your computer and verify if it helps to fix the issue.

    Method 2: If the issue still persists in clean boot, I suggest you to update the driver using the windows update feature. Refer to the articles below for more information.

    Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

    Steps to uninstall and reinstall graphic drivers:

    1. Press “Windows Key + W” from the keyboard.

    2. Type “Device Manager” without quotes in the search box and hit enter.

    3. Right click on the graphic drivers and select “Uninstall”.

    4. Restart the computer once it is uninstalled.

    1. After computer restarts the graphic driver will automatically reinstall.

    Additional reference:

    Guided Help: Dual monitor setup is easy in Windows 7!

    https://support.microsoft.com/kb/976064?wa=wsignin1.0

    Change your screen resolution

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-your-screen-resolution

    Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for further assistance.

    Thanks Rizwan

    I have tried both your suggestions with no success, I am afraid.

    I have also tried with different cables in case the cable is faulty ; and since it works when I connect a monitor rather than a projector to the same port, I can't see that the port itself could be at fault.

    In response to your questions :-

    1.   There are two projectors involved and the problem is the same with both of them.   One is a Sony VPL-S600.   The other is also a Sony but as it is on the ceiling of a church building I can't see the model number without a long ladder !   Both are quite old but worked fine with this laptop until a few weeks ago.

    2.    I made no changes other than Microsoft, Adobe and AVG routine updates.   The only thing I can link it to is connecting a different monitor.  

    3.    I have not received any error messages.

    Any further suggestions will be very welcome !

    Regards, Tony

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  4. Anonymous
    2014-10-31T11:02:47+00:00

    Hello Tony,

    Thank you for posting your query in Microsoft community.

    Based on the issue description, I understand that you are unable to change the Screen Resolution, the option to adjust the resolution of the second monitor is greyed out.

    I can understand how frustrating it could be when computer behaves unusual.

    This may happen if the driver for the graphic card are corrupted or due to Cable or the port on the device are faulty.

    To understand this issue better, I would like to know the following information:

    1. What is the make and model of the projector?
    2. Have you made any recent changes to the computer prior to this issue?
    3. Do you get any error message when this the screen resolution fails?

    Method 1: Place the computer in clean boot state and check if the projector screen resolution is fine:

    A clean boot is performed to start Windows by using a minimal set of drivers and startup programs. This helps eliminate software conflicts that occur when you install a program or an update or when you run a program in Windows 8.1, Windows 8, Windows 7, or Windows Vista. You may also troubleshoot or determine what conflict is causing the problem by performing a clean boot.

    How to perform a clean boot.

    http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

    Note: To reset the computer to normal mode after troubleshooting, please refer “How to reset the computer to start as usual” from the above article.

    Try to update the display card driver on your computer and verify if it helps to fix the issue.

    Method 2: If the issue still persists in clean boot, I suggest you to update the driver using the windows update feature. Refer to the articles below for more information.

    Update a driver for hardware that isn't working properly

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows7/Update-a-driver-for-hardware-that-isnt-working-properly

    Steps to uninstall and reinstall graphic drivers:

    1. Press “Windows Key + W” from the keyboard.

    2. Type “Device Manager” without quotes in the search box and hit enter.

    3. Right click on the graphic drivers and select “Uninstall”.

    4. Restart the computer once it is uninstalled.

    1. After computer restarts the graphic driver will automatically reinstall.

    Additional reference:

    Guided Help: Dual monitor setup is easy in Windows 7!

    https://support.microsoft.com/kb/976064?wa=wsignin1.0

    Change your screen resolution

    http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-your-screen-resolution

    Hope this information helps, please reply with the status of the issue for further assistance.

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