Choosing A Ew Motherboard And/or Video Card

Please help out an old wrinkly here, folks. I’ve just bought a wide-screen Philips monitor, the 200WP7es, with WSXGA, wide format 1680x1050 resolution. When I go Control Panel->Display->Settings->Screen Resolution, the slider tops out at 1600x1200.

Onto Advanced -> Adapter ->List all Modes, the required 1680x1050 just ain’t there! The same panel gives

Adapter type as SiS 650_651_M650_m652_740
Adapter information: Chip type : SiS 740 Rev 00
DAC Type: Internal
Adapter string: SiS Compatible VGA
BIOS Information:1.05.00

When I go to the SiS download site, http://www.sis.com/support/support_prodid.htm

And click on Product Identification, the following info is eventually shown:

Results:
North Bridge Chipset: 740
South Bridge Chipset: 962/962L
Graphics Processing Unit: SiS Real256 Graphics

Related drivers:
Categories DensityDevice Available for Download
Graphics SiS Real256 Graphics Y
AGP SiS Acceleration Graphic Port Y
IDE SiS IDE Controller Y
USB USB 1.1 / USB 2.0 N/A. Provided by OS.
Audio SiS 7012 Audio Controller Y
LAN SiS 900 Fast Ethernet Controller Y


Now, whether any of the foregoing is relevant to my problem (or even what it means!), I have not any idea at all!

The problem is ……..

HOW THE HELL DO I GET THE SCREEN LOOKING RIGHT AND NOT STRETCHED?

Considering that I bought the screen for graphic work in the first place, do I have any way out of this predicament? If I have to download any of these SiS drivers, to where do I download them? I seem to have SiS files all over the place. Again, whether or not they have anything to do with my monitor is a closed shop to me; and if I do download new stuff, do I just delete all this other stuff? (Do I hear "at your peril…"?!

If you feel you can help me, I'd be mightily obliged, even if it's to say "chuck out your new monitor and go back to your ten year old CRT". But lead me gently by the hand - I don't know nuffink! Sorry to go on at such length!

Hi openacres,
I think the problem maybe is that Windows doesn't know your new screen is a widescreen one.
There should be a disc (CD) that came with the Screen and this should include the driver files that are needed to get your screen working well, and showing the correct resolution.
If you go here:(copy and paste it, please don't try and type it all! or just click on the link)

http://www.p4c.philips.com/cgi-bin/dcbint/…_00_rxp_eng.txt

and scroll down the page you will find the instructions on how to install the driver files. (for the moment ignore the bit at the top about downloading a Zip file as you will only need to do this if you can't find the CD)
Have a go and let us know how you get on.
Post back if you have any other questions, or can't find the CD and we will do our best to help.
Regards
paws

Thanks, Paws, for this. The correct printer driver is installed now OK. And the problem still exists. I therefore assume (bad thing to do, I know!) that it must be motherboard-derived. Not knowing much about these things (a little knowledge is a dangerous thing!), as I don't appear to have a separate graphics card and only an imbedded chip set, I contacted the motherboard supplier ECS. Copy of the emails herewith:

—–Original Message—–
From: LYNDON JOHNSON [mailto:[removed]]
Sent: 23 June 2007 23:07
To: INFO ECS
Subject: graphic chip set problem
Dear Sirs,

I am having difficulties with the inbedded graphics set on my computer's motherboard. I have just bought a new wide screen monitor that requires a 1680x1050 resolution. This option is just not available to me via control panel->display->settings->advanced->adapter->list all modes.

One major worry I have is that your website does not list this motherboard in the drop-down menu.

My question is: Are there chip set drivers available to change this resolution problem, or failing that, do I have to purchase a new motherboard and/or graphics card?

Whilst I realise that my system is dated, I don't particularly relish having to buy a new computer. Your advice will be much appreciated.

Reply:
It seems to me that the motherboard built into your system is an OEM board which was designed particularly for our OEM customer based on their own requirements. Therefore, we do not have much information about this board.

I suggest you to get back to the supplier of your system and ask for their technical support. I am sure they will be able to assist you with your issue.

Sorry for not being able to be more helpful and thank you very much for your understanding.

Best Regards

Andrew

Trouble now is that I don't know who supplied the motherboard. It was installed by a small local firm who specialised in computer repairs, but now it seems they've gone out of business! Should I just call "quits" and buy another new motherboard and/or graphics card? How easy would it be for me to install these, given that I appear to be a brain-dead, with two left hands - complete with ten thumbs - and who always buys screw thread light bulbs when we need bayonet fitting (at least, that's what my wife thinks!)

Hi openacres
You say you have the correct printer driver installed, but its the driver and disc for the screen/monitor/vdu that you need. Was this a typo?
if it was and you have the correct screen/monitor/vdu driver installed (and you have downloaded a fresh copy from Philips and installed it correctly) then it could be bad news. It would be worth checking with the manufacturers of the motherboard to see what they say.

Usually I might suggest having a look inside the case, identifying the Motherboard, noting its "name rank and serial number" etc.

my standard wording would ask you to "take all necessary personal safety and antistatic precautions before opening the case" and also saying that "if you were not confident in applying these 100% then to seek the help of a local competent technician," however in deference to your multiplicity of thumbs I suggest you leave the case firmly closed, and instead go here:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4181.html

download this program, Everest, and this will tell you more about your machine, its component parts than you could ever possibly want to know!

You should be able to click on the motherboard manufacturers details and sometimes be whisked off their website. An email to them might be necessary.

It is possible to remove and refit parts inside a computer with a fair degree of safety and speed, PROVIDING you have been trained in the precautions to take. I strongly recommend that a local competent computer technician be consulted, as it's very easy to electrocute yourself, damage your machine or wreck your data (sometimes all 3 at the same time) but as always its your call!
Regards
paws

Hi all you computer whizzes from a computer izn't.

further to my post on Jun 20 2007, 07:43 PM, I've contacted the manufacturer, Kobian, of my current board (mobo in geekese?), who say that is/was a one-off, old, and they've broken the mold anyway - a bit like saying they'll put mine int a museum along with its owner! Actual quote:
"Due to the product was phase out and out of service for a long time, So we need start over again to modify this BIOS
They are still working in the BIOS, we need to check the embedded VGA it's can support to the 1680x1050 resolution or not."

I hold no great hopes! and anyway what's a BIOS?

So it looks like a new mobo (dare-devil!). So there's millions out there, all with strange numbers, upper case and lower case letters all mixed up. Does anyone know of a simple questionnaire-type programme, that starts you through a list of your requirements, or suggests possible other features all in simple, non-geekese language, you know the sort, one syllable, english, no 'over-clocking's, no baud rates, etc. and at the end of it comes out with "this super-intelligent program has done all the magazine reading, spoken with many geeks, telephoned all the manufacturers on your behalf, oh my master, and I suggest the following……" oh, bliss!


Or do I just rely on the shop again?

and repeat my entire post above substituting video cards (vicars??) for mobo's

Hi openacres, As you already have a thread open about the problems with your wide screen I have meged your latest post with your old one.. otherwise folks are going to get mighty confused and have trouble in finding you! I love the idea of the machine that does all the legwork for you and comes up with a perfect solution! If you find such a tool then please let me have first refusal on it. Have you thought of getting a new machine complete? I supplied one for a customer last week for £175 (GBP) (about $350 USD) It was a Dell C521 came complete with a 19inch flat screen (that you could sell) had all the bells and whistles (250 GB drive DVD burmer 1 Gb of RAM and also came with Vista so there would be plenty for you to do in trying to find all the drivers for your peripherals! The prices excluded VAT and delivery (Taxes and carriage) If you didn't want to do this then you could just buy a new box complete but without the keyboard, mouse, screen etc and use your old stuff. I am not trying to put you off buying a new MOBO and fitting it all but ensuring your get something compatible with your processor, Memory etc is something you would need to do. Win Xp is a better bet at the moment for compatibility with older peripherals) A box like that would cost between £150 to £250 + tax. (Noting your time Zone I have deduced you are located in the UK (or somewhere pretty near the Greenwich Meriden) and have posted prices both in £ GBP and $ USD) However perhaps someone can come up with a workaround to get your new Philips widescreen to work with your existing system. The bios fix sounds promising and by updating the bios (Basic input output system) you may be able to get your existing machine working with your new screen. Keep on at the Mobo manufacturers/ video card manufacturers, they may be able to come up with something. Regards paws

Thanks, Paws, if only for not treating me like an eedjit who should be locked away with his slide rule - remember them?! I looked at the Dell site and was fairly impressed. Mind you, I'm the sort who could get mildly excited at going into PC World! (yes I'm based in UK). How come a new computer costs less than a new mobo and vi-card? Some of those prices are way into the 100's! My main interests - apart from standard home office stuff - is Photoshop-ing with the odd bit of music thrown in. Not much to ask, is it? Definitely not games, unless you include a quick game of Freecell whilst waiting for a very interested- sounding person from a strange call centre in somewhere un-pronounceable to answer your plea for help!! Power to your elbow

Hi openacres,
I still use a slide rule…trouble is, getting the batteries for them !
I only mentioned the Dell as I was impressed with the equipment you got for the price you pay!

There's no doubt if you buy each and every part for a car from your local accessory shop and try to make a new car from the parts it will cost a lot more than going to the main dealer and just buying the complete thing from stock!

I know the analogy falls down in some respects when it comes to computers but I think you get my drift.

My learned and professional colleague Doug, who is a major responder and wonderful source of good ideas on this forum, has made the following suggestion:

I'm wondering if it would be sensible to suggest the Member go to a local big-box electronics/computer store to purchase an AGP Video adapter card.
The retail box would show the available display resolutions, would it not?
Phillips might also recommend an assortment of compatible AGP cards
Caveat: I'm assuming he has an AGP slot open, and that the onboard graphics will either turn off by default when an AGP Card is installed, or can be turned off in favor of an AGP card via Basic Input Output System.

Being mindful, overacres, of the number of extra thumbs, with which nature has expressed her bounty towards you, and the need to avoid damage to your data, your machine and of course your good self, I have been reluctant to suggest this route to you.

One way of trying this out however would be to put your machine (just the tower) in the boot, trundle off to PC World and ask them to fit a vid card that will enable your Philips to dazzle you with its natural brilliance and resolution. They will sometimes fit stuff they have supplied at a reduced cost as part of the deal I.E not necessarily an arm and a leg maybe just an arm!
(Note Translations of the above paragraph are available for anyone distant from the Greenwich Meridian!)

Let us know how you get on.
Regards
paws

OK, just when I'd finished convincing myself to go and get a new computer (like you say, Paws, the Dell seems good value for money), up comes the manufacturer of my original board with this:

"Dear Sir,

Sorry for reply late.

The attached file is the latest BIOS for your request, it's can support the 1680x1050 resolution.
Please update the BIOS and the VGA driver then the embedded VGA will support the resolution.

The VGA driver link
http://www.mercury-pc.com/download_file.ph…mp;item_id=2496
AMI Flash tool guide at below link: Please follow the guide to update the BIOS. Thanks!
http://www.mercury-pc.com/download/uploade…ity/AMI-DOS.pdf
AMI Flash tool at below link:
http://www.mercury-pc.com/download/uploade…ty/aminf342.zip

Technical Support Team Kobian"

Hooray! So far so good.

I've downloade (and unzipped and saved to Desktop) the two programs, created the floppy disk doot diskette (wasnt quite the procedure they indicated in their .pdf download, more like a straight 'make an ms-dos diskette' than the Quick Format route they suggest.

The pdf instructions then say "make sure the system boots from the floppy". How to do this? the diskette contains the following files:

DISPLAY:EGA2.CPI; EGA3.CPI; EGA.CPI; KEYB; KEYBOARD; KEYBRD2; KEYBRD3; KERBRD4; MODE

Only KEYB and MODE have an icon attached.

Now what?