# Problem with settings for external monitor
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [August 3, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239 "2013-08-03T11:59:58Z")
**Posts on this page:** 18
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 11:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/1 "2013-08-03T11:59:58Z")
I have a new HP laptop (Windows 7 Pro) and am trying to set it up for the external monitor I use while I’m at home. I installed the monitor drivers and it shows up in Device Manager under Monitors. However, when I try to adjust the resolution under Control Panel/Display, it does not list the monitor. It just shows Generic Non-PnP Monitor (and the built-in Mobile Display), and it does not list the correct resolution.
I have tried searching for this but every search comes up with the problem of not listing in Device Manager to begin with.
Any ideas?
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/2 "2013-08-03T15:43:49Z")
Monitor drivers aren’t usually needed, in my experience. If anything, it’s the video driver that you need to update. Check that you have the latest version.
What type of cable are you using - RGB, HDMI, DVI or DisplayPort? Are you using any adapters?
Also, what resolution are you trying to use? Most monitors and computers can only do 1920x1200 with HDMI. DisplayPort usually allows higher resolution.
p.s. It might help if you tell us the make/model of the laptop and monitor.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 3:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/3 "2013-08-03T15:52:28Z")
Also if you’re using DVI, there are two types, single link and dual link. Single link maxes out at 1920x1200. Most laptops don’t support dual link. HDMI to DVI adapters do not support dual link. Some DisplayPort-\>DVI adapters support DualLink, but only if the laptop’s video chip allows for it.
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 4:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/4 "2013-08-03T16:23:43Z")
Laptop: HP ProBook 4540s
Monitor: Dell ST2421L
Native res of monitor: 1920 x 1080
Res choices available on Display settings:
2560 x 1600
1920 x 1200
1600 x 1200
1280 x 1024
1024 x 768
800 x 600
VGA cable
Laptop set to external monitor only
(I had all this working perfectly on my Gateway C-140X, a 6-year-old laptop.)
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/5 "2013-08-03T16:32:25Z")
You might want to use a newer tech for the connection - even just a DVI cable, if the monitor supports it.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/6 "2013-08-03T16:56:47Z")
I can’t explain why it’s not working with the current setup, but I suspect switching to an HDMI cable would probably solve it, and possibly improving the image quality.
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 3, 2013, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/7 "2013-08-03T23:57:13Z")
I am using it with a KVM switch with a VGA cable, so would have to look at an overall solution to switch to HDMI or DVI. Thanks for the input!
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### Author:  [@Amateur\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Amateur_Barbarian)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2013, 12:36am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/8 "2013-08-04T00:36:35Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> I am using it with a KVM switch with a VGA cable, so would have to look at an overall solution to switch to HDMI or DVI. Thanks for the input!
The KVM is undoubtedly masking the monitor type. You’ve never run into this before?
Why do you need a KVM in between a laptop and an external monitor?
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2013, 11:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/9 "2013-08-04T11:28:30Z")
For the usual reason–I am using the same monitor, keyboard, and mouse for a desktop computer. The desktop is my home rig and the laptop is for work.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2013, 12:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/10 "2013-08-04T12:43:36Z")
As you’re using a laptop, be aware that there are often three settings for external monitors: mirror, separate, and off. You want to ensure that your laptop is treating the monitor as separate. This is often governed by Fn + F7/8.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2013, 10:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/11 "2013-08-04T22:20:04Z")
If the desktop can drive the monitor through this KVM switch at the correct resolution, then the KVM switch is probably not the problem. But still, it would be worth it to experiment - just connect the laptop directly to the monitor without the KVM switch and see if works.
You haven’t said whether you’ve checked the graphics driver. You might try downloading one from the maker of the graphics chip (ATI, I think?) rather than the laptop manufacturer.
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### Author:  [@the\_O](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/the_O)
#### Post date: [August 4, 2013, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/12 "2013-08-04T23:56:48Z")
HP likes to use their own proprietary drivers for most everything that they can. (Bastids.)
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### Author:  [@CookingWithGas](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/CookingWithGas)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2013, 12:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/13 "2013-08-05T00:46:46Z")
I downloaded the latest driver for the Intel HD Graphics 4000 and now it shows many more available resolutions, including the one that matches my monitor. That problem is solved.
But in Device Manager, two display adapters are listed: The Intel and also an AMD Radeon HD 7650M. When I rebooted the AMD complained that it has been disabled and to either update the driver or enable it using Display Manager.:rolleyes: But in Device Manager/Display adapters, it is not disabled. I don’t know why there are two display adapters.
Edit: On further scrutiny, Windows is reporting “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)”.
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### Author:  [@Quartz](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Quartz)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2013, 9:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/14 "2013-08-05T09:24:28Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> But in Device Manager/Display adapters, it is not disabled. I don’t know why there are two display adapters.
>
> Edit: On further scrutiny, Windows is reporting “Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)”.
Bring up the event log entry and go to [www.eventid.net](http://www.eventid.net) and plug in the info.
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### Author:  [@Blakeyrat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Blakeyrat)
#### Post date: [August 5, 2013, 5:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/15 "2013-08-05T17:07:14Z")
> [@CookingWithGas](#):
>
> I am using it with a KVM switch with a VGA cable, so would have to look at an overall solution to switch to HDMI or DVI. Thanks for the input!
Your computer isn’t talking to the monitor, it’s talking to the KVM switch. And the KVM switch is old enough that it doesn’t understand common modern monitor resolutions… that’s your problem.
Either nix the KVM (use a USB hub, just 1 USB cable and 1 monitor cable is almost as convenient), or buy a modern KVM.
EDIT: to answer your newer question, a lot of laptops include two video adapters, one to use for maximum power saving (the Intel one in this case), and one for maximum performance. That’s been common for a few years now.
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### Author:  [@HipGnosis](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/HipGnosis)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/16 "2013-08-06T02:26:39Z")
The 2 display adapters are for the laptop display and the external monitor (port).
Connect the monitor directly to the laptop for troubleshooting and configuration.
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### Author:  [@stui\_magpie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stui_magpie)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2013, 2:49am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/17 "2013-08-06T02:49:33Z")
You may have already tried this, but usually when you connect an external display to a laptop you need to toggle to switch the display from the laptop screen to the other.
Check your keyboard for the Fn button and look at the number keys above the letters, most will have an extra function. Look for the rounded rectangle shape (usually on the f5 key) and hold Fn button and the F5 key, that allows you to toggle between the two different display options or having them both open.
Same principle as plugging the laptop into a projector.
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### Author:  [@scr4](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/scr4)
#### Post date: [August 6, 2013, 3:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/problem-with-settings-for-external-monitor/665239/18 "2013-08-06T03:31:55Z")
> [@the\_O](#):
>
> HP likes to use their own proprietary drivers for most everything that they can. (Bastids.)
If this is the case, you may need to go back to the HP driver. It may be needed to manage the transition between the discrete and ATI graphics chip.
(My Lenovo w530 has an Nvidia + discrete setup and in my experience, the driver from Nvidia works better than the one from Lenovo. But HP/ATI may be completely different.)