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low resolution when connecting to external monitor

Anonymous
2018-06-19T17:02:27+00:00

Hello

I have an odd situation.  I connected an external monitor to my laptop, select 'second screen only' (or 'duplicate') and the resolution is low (e.g. cannot see task bar, text is choppy).  However if I change mode to 'Extend' and move each application from laptop screen to external monitor everything is fine.  What I find more annoying, is the external monitor was working correctly yesterday (not using the Extend option).  I'm not sure why it stopped working.  I did not reboot the laptop last night.  I've tried changing resolution and scaling settings without any luck.

The laptop is a lenovo t470 running windows 10 prof.  I use a vga to hdmi connector for this laptop as there is no VGA port.

The monitor is a DELL E228WFP

I tested this setup on an older lenovo t410 and the Dell monitor and it works as expected.

I tested this setup using a t470 and a newer ASUS monitor and it worked as expected

I don't understand how the extend option displays text correctly but the other options do not.

Or is there a way, in Extend mode, to set the external monitor as the primary monitor?

many thanks!

Windows for home | Windows 10 | Devices and drivers

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  1. Anonymous
    2018-06-20T16:52:14+00:00

    Issue resolved.  Went into the Intel Graphics Setting (right click desktop).  This opened the Intel Graphic Control Panel.  Under Display, changed 'Maintained Aspect Ratio' to 'Maintain Display Scaling'.  So intuitive!

    thanks again for all the suggestions

    70+ people found this answer helpful.
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  2. Anonymous
    2018-06-19T19:04:30+00:00

    Right click on the desktop

    Select Display

    This dialog should show an illustration of your 2 monitors.

    Click on the problem monitor

    What is the resolution show for it?

    If it does not say "Recommended Resolution" click on the drop down and select the recommended resolution.

    20+ people found this answer helpful.
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  3. Anonymous
    2018-06-19T20:12:52+00:00

    Press Windows Key + X

    Click Device Manager

    Expand Monitors

    Right click the monitor listed

    Click uninstall

    Exit then restart

    7 people found this answer helpful.
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  4. Anonymous
    2018-06-19T19:26:17+00:00

    the external monitor is 1680x1050 recommended

    the laptop is 1920x1080 recommended

    6 people found this answer helpful.
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  5. Anonymous
    2018-06-19T19:30:55+00:00

    So much for the easy fix.

    Another "easy" fix, have you restarted the computer since this problem started?

    3 people found this answer helpful.
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