Problems using a wide-angle monitor.

[effpeetee]

When I bought my present (latest) desktop, I mistakenly ordered a wide-angle monitor. As Vista had a sidebar, I was able to use it and ignore the problem as the sidebar effectively made it into a standard sized monitor.

The latest download of Windows7 will not let me instal the sidebar even though the earlier versions did.

What is the best way to ensure that images reproduce correctly in these circumstances. I find that percentages don't do it now.:eek:

Answers will be eagerly examined.:D

Ta muchly.

Frank:thumbsup:

[nick1988]

What resolution do you use?

Also, what monitor do you have?

[effpeetee]

What resolution do you use?

Also, what monitor do you have?
1280x800 although I have tried them all. The monitor is a DELL.

ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT [Display adapter]
DELL E228WFP [Monitor] (22.0"vis, s/n DT86781F22DM, January 2008)

Frank

[nick1988]

I think you may not be using widescreen resolutions, maybe because you can't see them in your display options.

I think your machine is using plug and play (Windows selects a driver, but it might not allow the device to function to its full capacity) for your monitor instead of using Dell's driver.

I haven't used Windows 7 at all, so I don't know where the equivilent for Device Manager is, but if you know where that is and check under the subtree Display you can tell if its using the Plug and Play driver.
It will display something like 'Plug and Play Monitor'. If it displays anything different, then my whole theory could be wrong :) If so I would ignore anything below this paragraph.

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/download.aspx?releaseid=R144815&formatcnt=1&libid=0&fileid=193161

That link is the driver download for Vista, not sure which one is applicable for Windows 7 (XP or Vista?). Can link the XP one if thats needed.

You should try that, instructions can be found on that website for installation as well.

If it works you should get a few more available resolutions.
1440 x 900 etc.

Hope this helps.

[Apostropartheid]

Your resolution is far too small for your monitor. I have more pixels on my seventeen incher. As for the sidebar, what about yahoo widgets?

[effpeetee]

Your resolution is far too small for your monitor. I have more pixels on my seventeen incher. As for the sidebar, what about yahoo widgets?
It's the sidebar that I want. The physical sidebar that takes up the space. Gadgets there are a'plenty. The sidebar also can be removed with one click, and replaced the same way.
What is frustrating me is the fact that I had it working, and still have it working on my Laptop. Both are 64 bit and both were installed with the same download and both have been kept up to date.
I have copied the sidebar folder from the laptop over to the desktop, but I still cannot get it to work properly. The gadgets come up OK but the sidebar itself refuses to show up.

Now set to 1680x1050. Don't like it though. It doesn't help me to get the display fluid. The aspect ratio is wrong.

I think I'll take up knitting. Two plain, two pearl, twist the wool etc etc etc. It must be easier.

Where's me zimmerframe?

Frank

[Apostropartheid]

What are the available resolutions, Frank? Windows 7 has my optimal resolution highlighted in bold and red with underlines or something silly like that and has "RECOMMENDED" stuck next to it, as if it made it clearer.

[effpeetee]

What are the available resolutions, Frank? Windows 7 has my optimal resolution highlighted in bold and red with underlines or something silly like that and has "RECOMMENDED" stuck next to it, as if it made it clearer.
1680x1050 - Recommended
1440x900
1280x800
800x600

Frank

My PC Specs (http://exitfegs.co.uk/Profile.pdf)

[Fumigator]

I find all resolutions that interpolate the pixels give me a headache and make my eyes cross. Therefore I'm stuck with the native resolutions for whatever monitory I'm peering into. Unfortunately most native resolutions these days are massive which makes text tiny.

Anyway I feel your pain... if you were to find the native resolution and use it, perhaps your problems may be at least partially solved.. (?) Can't help you with the disappearing sidebar though.

[oracleguy]

Unfortunately most native resolutions these days are massive which makes text tiny.

Increase the font size in the system appearance settings. I've done that before to solve that problem.

[Fumigator]

Increase the font size in the system appearance settings. I've done that before to solve that problem.

Agreed... that works pretty well in most apps but there are always one or two that reacts badly to the larger fonts. I'm at "medium" right now and it seems like a good compromise.

[Apostropartheid]

I usually adjust the dpi. I'm quite happy with native resolutions, and prefer the clearer text. Younger eyes? Who knows?

[effpeetee]

Would it be better to use ems instead of percentages? I don't mind the work, I just don't want to start it if anyone knows why I shouldn't.

Frank

[effpeetee]

Would it be better to use ems instead of percentages? I don't mind the work, I just don't want to start it if anyone knows why I shouldn't.

Frank
Any takers?

Frank

[effpeetee]

I finally solved aspect ratio side of the problem this way (http://www.codingforums.com/showthread.php?t=177173).

Frank