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New Monitor Problem; H E L P
Topic Started: Apr 15 2011, 06:53 AM (1,363 Views)
VPG
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Pisa-Carp
Bought a new Monitor yesterday. Wide screen. Stretches picture
terribly. Called the store and the maker (HP), they say it's because my computer is to old for the new screens. Five years.
And, no old type are available. I looked on line and that may be true. H P took control of my computor and tried to make some adjustments to no avail. Any ideas?
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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JBryan
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I am the grey one
Buy a new video adapter.
"Any man who would make an X rated movie should be forced to take his daughter to see it". - John Wayne


There is a line we cross when we go from "I will believe it when I see it" to "I will see it when I believe it".


Henry II: I marvel at you after all these years. Still like a democratic drawbridge: going down for everybody.

Eleanor: At my age there's not much traffic anymore.

From The Lion in Winter.
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VPG
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?????????
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
What's the brand/model of your new monitor?
What's the brand/model of your computer?
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Copper
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Shortstop

Check out best buy, search for "video card" or "Graphics card".

They can get very expensive, for what you need under $100 is probably fine.

Make sure your machine has the right "card slot type" for the video card.

Some types: pci express x16, PCI, AGP, pci express x1

Be sure to check the power requirements for the card you may need a new power supply

It's not that big of a deal to install these things, does Best Buy do this for free?

Based on you comments above I'd guess that you will be happy with the performance upgrade

Somebody here is probably more current in this than me, but those are some basics





The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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VPG
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Axtremus
Apr 15 2011, 07:08 AM
What's the brand/model of your new monitor?
What's the brand/model of your computer?
HP 52031 Monitor
Dell Computer Dimension 3000
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Kincaid
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HOLY CARP!!!
Unless you have integrated graphics and then you're screwed!

Can't you right click on properties and then settings and selected different screen choices based on the number of pixels? That was what I had to do both at work and at home to get the best compromise. (At work I don't have a widescreen but I still had to change stuff to get the screen to fill up the best for viewing).
Kincaid - disgusted Republican Partisan since 2006.
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VPG
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Kincaid
Apr 15 2011, 07:45 AM
Unless you have integrated graphics and then you're screwed!

Can't you right click on properties and then settings and selected different screen choices based on the number of pixels? That was what I had to do both at work and at home to get the best compromise. (At work I don't have a widescreen but I still had to change stuff to get the screen to fill up the best for viewing).
Tried that, get's worse.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Vince,

After reading this: http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3515/p/19250192/19402462.aspx

I think Copper's suggestion is the best -- cart your computer to a BestBuy and hire their "Geek Squad" service to upgrade your video card for you. The geeks there can help you pick out a compatible video card, too. (Well, may be call ahead and make an appointment before lugging your computer to the store.)

Between tinkering with BIOS, swapping video card, and installing/configuring driver, it's not something that the casual user can do comfortably.

Good luck.
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
Even with integrated graphics you can run a new graphics card.

VPG: The problem is that your old computer doesn't support newer resolutions of wide screen monitors.
Your video card tells sends the picture to your monitor, and your older computer is probably sending a picture that's 1024 x 768 or thereabouts (1024 pixels wide by 768 tall). Your new monitor is made for a different "ratio" or height to width, so it's more comfortable with something like 1400 pixels by 900 pixels. The resolutions your computer can display is dictated by the graphics card, or video card. Replacing this component may make available to you resolutions made for a wider screen. Your older computer will likely have either "PCI" or "AGP" graphics card "slots" - so you're going to need to figure out which one of those it is, and then find a video card to match.
Until then, your monitor will stretch the image it's being given to fit.
I'm happy to try to help you figure out what you've got if you can take your computer apart and snap a few pics of the motherboard and the insides.
Otherwise you may just want to hire a professional to help you out.

*edited to add* If you're talking about spending $300 to hire someone and get a new graphics card, and don't need something very fancy (which is what they'll try to sell you), I would just look at spending $500 or $600 to upgrade your entire computer. Something to think about anyway.
Edited by KlavierBauer, Apr 15 2011, 07:58 AM.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Nobody's Sock
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Well Vince, it looks like your pc is about as old as mine.

I was just looking at the specs on the Dimension 3000, and you do not have AGP nor PCI-Express bus slots. You only have regular old PCI expansion slots.

This means that the video card you will need to purchase must be a PCI video card.

I give you a link to a good one on Newegg.com. This card will support the widescreen resolution you are looking for.

It's not too complicated to install a new video card, but if you just want to remove the hassle and worry, you can take it to BestBuy and pay extra. Just note the price of this card I'm posting here, don't let those Geeks try to steer you to something way more expensive.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814130477

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
I agree with NS.
Also - replacing this shouldn't be very difficult - there shouldn't be any fiddling with BIOS or any of the other nightmares listed earlier. I have have replaced many video cards in old Dimensions, never needing to do more than put the new card in, power up, and install drivers.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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VPG
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Thank you all. You guy's rock. I just called "Geek Squad" I have an apointment for tomorrow morning. They will diagnose it. He said it may not need a new Mother board. If it does he can handle it.
Again, thank you all.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
VPG:
Go in there educated - it doesn't "need" a new motherboard, but it definitely will when he looks at it. :)
I don't want to be cynical, but he'll likely want to upgrade your MB so that he can also upgrade your GPU (graphics card), when really all you want is a non-stretchy display.

If you're getting into replacing motherboards, then you might as well pay NS to build you a computer... :)
Edited by KlavierBauer, Apr 15 2011, 08:19 AM.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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George K
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Finally
KlavierBauer
Apr 15 2011, 08:19 AM
VPG:
Go in there educated - it doesn't "need" a new motherboard, but it definitely will when he looks at it. :)
I don't want to be cynical, but he'll likely want to upgrade your MB so that he can also upgrade your GPU (graphics card), when really all you want is a non-stretchy display.

If you're getting into replacing motherboards, then you might as well pay NS to build you a computer... :)
I know next to nothing about building PCs, but, as KB says, replacing the MoBo is a big deal, and probably not all that cost effective over a new computer.

MoBo? Probably about $150.
Vid Card? Probably about $75.

You're into it for $225. You can get a cheap (and probably better) PC for just a bit more.

Am I right?
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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Nobody's Sock
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Fulla-Carp
Even with little computer knowledge, I would just buy the card I listed ($50) and follow its instructions for installing. It is not rocket science.

I'm curious though, I'd like to see what the Geeks try to do for you when you take it in.
If they try to steer you into an expensive solution, turn around and walk out and report back to us.

"Somewhere, something incredible is waiting to be known."
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George K
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Finally
Nobody's Sock
Apr 15 2011, 08:28 AM
Even with little computer knowledge, I would just buy the card I listed ($50) and follow its instructions for installing. It is not rocket science.

I'm curious though, I'd like to see what the Geeks try to do for you when you take it in.
If they try to steer you into an expensive solution, turn around and walk out and report back to us.

Agreed. If the card's only $50, it's probably a worthwhile upgrade, considering that the new monitor needs something like that.

However, these things tend to snowball:

1) New video card
2) CPU won't play with it - New MoBo
3) Old RAM won't be enough for new MoBo - New RAM
4) As long as we're here, let's upgrade you to the new version of Windows XP - wait, new MoBo needs W7

Etc, etc, etc.

I'm not sure I'd trust the Geeks either. A small shop in a stripmall might be more dependable.
A guide to GKSR: Click

"Now look here, you Baltic gas passer... "
- Mik, 6/14/08


Nothing is as effective as homeopathy.

I'd rather listen to an hour of Abba than an hour of The Beatles.
- Klaus, 4/29/18
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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
NS picked a fine PCI graphics card - it's nothing new in terms of standards, and nothing fancy - so the MoBo should have no problem talking to it.
If they say a new MoBo is needed, it's because they don't carry PCI cards, which wouldn't surprise me in the least. Then yeah, you'll be sold an AGP or PCIe card, which will require a new MoBo - which will require a new processer/core, as well as all new RAM, as well as ... everything.
That's fine too - if you want a new computer, and if it's time to upgrade (it may be), then just go that route. But if you really just want to fix this issue, then I'd look at putting in the $50 solution yourself, or finding a computer guy on craigslist that will do it for you for cheap.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
My Appt. is here at my place. I'm not bringing it in to them.
It's worth it to me. I'm not at all versed in this stuff. There are no slots on my computer that I can find. (only a place for discs.)
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
VPG: Those slots (PCI, etc.) are inside the computer, and connect directly to the motherboard.

We're just looking out for you, and don't want to see you get hosed, paying for repairs that you don't really want.
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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VPG
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Pisa-Carp
I know and appreciate that, again thank you all.
I will post tomorrow after he/she leaves with the results.
One last thing, you ought to see how funny that picture of me on the left looks stretched.
:leftarrow: :leftarrow: :leftarrow:
:leftarrow: :leftarrow: :leftarrow:
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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KlavierBauer
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HOLY CARP!!!
HAHA
"I realize you want him to touch you all over and give you babies, but his handling of the PR side really did screw the pooch." - Ivory Thumper
"He said sleepily: "Don't worry mom, my dick is like hot logs in the morning." - Apple

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Copper
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Shortstop

Maybe you could just get a fun house mirror to stretch it back to normal.
The Confederate soldier was peculiar in that he was ever ready to fight, but never ready to submit to the routine duty and discipline of the camp or the march. The soldiers were determined to be soldiers after their own notions, and do their duty, for the love of it, as they thought best. Carlton McCarthy
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VPG
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Well he just left. Say's pretty much what you all said. New Vidio Card. But he thinks with a unit this old he doubts it would be much better and maybe not worth the $50.00.
He showed me how to install it and went on line and found one, if I want it. Best Buy does not carry it any more.
He showed be how to blacken the two sides of the screen. This
removes all of the stretch. So I can go back and forth with whatever screen I prefer. Even with the sides black the picture is almost the same size as my old screen.
He did not make any kind of sales pitch,for any product or service.
I'M NOT YELLING.........I'M ITALIAN...........THAT'S HOW WE TALK!


"People say that we're in a time when there are no heroes, they just don't know where to look."
Ronald Reagan, Inaugural, 1971

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Axtremus
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HOLY CARP!!!
Well, if you decide to get a new computer ...

Get a Mac, and make GeorgeK your tech support.

I believe the Geek Squad can provide the service to transfer all your programs and files over to the new machine.

Good luck!
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