Elmo said:
You'll need to get updated drivers for the display adapter. If still
not able to get the correct resolution, you'll need a new display
adapter than supports the needed resolution.
Please clarify one important point. You say that you have "tried to
install a new widescreen display on your non-widescreen notebook". Are
you trying to view widescreen pictures on the integral LCD screen?
If so, you must use the native (4:3) resolution to view output on the
computer's integral screen. No other resolution will produce
satisfactory results.
Alternatively, have you connected an external monitor to the VGA output
from your laptop computer? If so, you will need to select the
appropriate color resolution, screen resolution and optimal refresh rate
for the external monitor.
Firstly, make sure you have the latest drivers for the video card in
your laptop. Then, turn off your computer and connect the external
monitor. Reboot the computer.
You might see a picture on the integral LCD screen, on the external
monitor, or on both screens. At this stage, the output will almost
certainly be in the native 4:3 ratio, irrespective of which display /
monitor you are viewing.
Open Control Panel and click on Display.
The resulting options will probably differ, depending upon the drivers
and type of video card. Most configuration screens will offer the
various options that are compatible with the selected display - and no
other options. For instance, the integral LCD screen cannot display
16:9 pictures, so the menu will not offer any of the 16:9 ratios, if
there is output to the integral screen.
Basically, you will need to the external monitor as the primary display
(and ONLY display). This will transfer the display to the external
monitor and extinguish the integral LCD.
Then, configure the video settings to match the external monitor.
Provided the video card is compatible with the monitor, the menu should
offer all of the screen resolutions and refresh rates that the external
monitor can accept, including one or more 16:9 ratio pictures.
You should also check the monitor specifications. For instance, you
might be able to increase the refresh rate from 60 Hz to 75 Hz.
However, 75 Hz might damage the monitor, if the maximum refresh rate is
60 Hz.
Again, depending upon your video card and drivers, you might be able to
store "Schemes". For instance, my HP laptop has an Intel Graphics Media
Accelerator Driver for Mobile - and I have created the following
permanent Schemes:
1. Laptop only. Single Display. Color Quality 32 bit; Screen
Resolution 1024 x 768; Refresh Rate 60 Hz. This is the default option.
2. Twin Display (both devices display the same picture). To maintain
compatibility, these video settings are the same as for Laptop only.
This option only becomes available, after the external monitor has been
connected and switched on.
3. Widescreen Monitor only. Single display. Color Quality 32 bit;
Screen Resolution 1360 x 768; Refresh Rate 60 Hz. This option only
becomes available, after the external monitor has been connected and
switched on. I use this scheme to view photographs and slideshows on my
32 inch, widescreen television (which will accept 1024 x 768 VGA or 1360
x 768 XVGA input).
Provided the external monitor has been connected, I can toggle between
these three Schemes at will.
Consequently, I always view output on the integral LCD screen (Scheme
1), when I boot the laptop - and I use the integral LCD screen to make
any initial adjustments. Then, I can switch to Scheme 2 (4:3 ratio) or
Scheme 3 (16:9 ratio), if the external monitor is connected.
