Windows XP Desktop Started To Scroll

Sideman

Sideman

Sideman

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3 Oct 2007
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Got a strange problem that started today.

For some reason, my windows desktop is now too large for the screen, despite me not changing anything (everything was fine when I shut the machine down last night), and it being set at it's native resolution (1650 x1050 - Acer X223w). The result is it now scrolls left to right if I'm to see the rest of the screen!

Stumped and after some head scratching, I reinstalled the GFX card drivers (ATI HD4850) but the problem still persists. (Not using the Catalyst Control Centre btw, but Ati Tray tools).

Maybe I'm missing something obvious, but wondered if anyone has any ideas as to why this has suddenly happened?
 
O.K, connected a Dell 19 inch to the same PC, and no problems - everything correct and displaying at correct resolution etc. so, GFX card seems not be at fault which I thought might be a possibility.

Connected the Acer to a Laptop (Win 7) and no problems there when set to correct resolution (desktop displyed and functioned properly), so Monitor does not seem to be at fault. Connected Acer back up to main PC, and still the original problem persists!

(I tried a system restore (2 points) but for some reason, both failed).

So I'm still rather stumped & confused!
 
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sounds like the monitor driver doesn't support what you are trying to use. try uninstalling the monitor from Device Manager and let it detect it again. might be worth a try?
 
archerz said:
sounds like the monitor driver doesn't support what you are trying to use. try uninstalling the monitor from Device Manager and let it detect it again. might be worth a try?
Click to expand...

Yes, good idea which I've already done, but still no fix! (Now using driver from Acer website).

As I said, everything was fine at the native resolution until today!

Still scratching head!
 
MagicBoy said:
No such thing as a monitor driver...
Click to expand...

capturejvqh.png


:p
 
A monitor is a monitor is a monitor. It displays a standards encoded signal that's output from the graphics card ... which has a proper software driver.

That "driver" is either
1) PnP (where the monitor tells the graphics card what resolutions and refresh rates it support via DDC etc)
2) a hardcoded .INF file from the manufacturer that does exactly the same thing.
 
Most likely (IMO) something has let go in the monitor and the driver can't read the DDC properly. There used to be an option to disable DDC and manually override settings (assuming you know the native res/refresh rate) but I can't see it in CCC anymore. OP, have a poke about ATi Tray for DDC
 
d_brennen said:
Most likely (IMO) something has let go in the monitor and the driver can't read the DDC properly. There used to be an option to disable DDC and manually override settings (assuming you know the native res/refresh rate) but I can't see it in CCC anymore. OP, have a poke about ATi Tray for DDC
Click to expand...

Thanks for the tip.

Had read about DDC, but can't seem to find a DDC settings/overide in ATI Tray Tools or in the Monitor Properties, but have turned it on and off on the actual Monitor to see if that helps, but it didn't!
 
d_brennen said:
What happens if you set 800x600?
Click to expand...

It fits the screen OK, but with the obvious large and not very sharp icons.

Currently at 1400x1050 to avoid scrolling.

Tried reinstalling the display drivers again (a thorough clean again with Drive Cleaner Pro and Ccleaner, and this time uninstalled ATI tray,but still getting the same issue.

Connected VGA cable to other output on GFX card but made no difference.

Only thing I haven't tried is another cable, but doubt that will make any difference.

I can't understand why this has happened all of sudden, when everything was fine, and it works perfectly at the native resolution when connected to a Laptop!
 
What type of cable are you using? I have the same problem with one of my screens when using the old fashioned VGA-type.

Ended up having to create a custom inf file to get it to work properly.
 
richyrichuk said:
unplug monitor. turn pc on let it boot. turn pc off..(press off button on front...safe shutdown)

do the same again

after that, plug cable back in and turn on again.
Click to expand...

Just tried that, but no joy there either. But thanks for the tip!

RevBillyG said:
What type of cable are you using? I have the same problem with one of my screens when using the old fashioned VGA-type.

Ended up having to create a custom inf file to get it to work properly.
Click to expand...

Yes, using a VGA cable. Might have to try the custom .inf route as well.
 
I used to have this problem when trying to display 1280x768 on an LCD TV.

I had to create custom resolutions with Powerstrip.

Tried changing to a different output on the GPU and/or a different cable?

It's almost definitely related to EDID data not being read correctly and the OS scrolling the desktop as a result.
 
Sin_Chase said:
I used to have this problem when trying to display 1280x768 on an LCD TV.

I had to create custom resolutions with Powerstrip.

Tried changing to a different output on the GPU and/or a different cable?

It's almost definitely related to EDID data not being read correctly and the OS scrolling the desktop as a result.
Click to expand...

Yes, I'm begining to wonder if it is the DDC/EDID data not being read properly.

Installed Powerstrip earlier, and it said it cannot read EDID data from both Windows & the display driver and also the monitor, so it would seem this is what's causing the issue.

I have tried a new VGA cable, and also connecting to the other GFX card output, but that didn't help.

Going to try a custom .inf with Powerstrip, but got to figure how to do it first!
 
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Well.....

Tried Powerstrip, and noticed there was no EDID info from either the registry, Windows, or the Monitor, so it would seem as suggested, that was the source of the problem.

So I connected the monitor back up to the laptop (Win 7) and installed Powerstrip, to check the EDID data, which was working and displaying fine (as I had expected), and then created a custom .inf using these settings as a last resort.

So I reconnected the monitor back to my main pc, but lo and behold, everything was fine! Windows displayed at native resolution right from the start with no need for me to set it. (For some reason, I had a feeling this would happen).

Maybe I didn't connect the VGA cable properly when I disconnected it or replaced it (could have sworn I did), or maybe checking the EDID data on the laptop did the trick. But whatever, it's now fixed. :)

(It will be interesting to see if this happens again though).

Anyway, thanks to all for your input and help.
 
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