Vista - Which was the bigger waste of money...?

(Or "Another Native Resolution Problem")

I'm in the process of building a PC, so I thought I'd try the ole Windows Vista 64-bit version for the machine. I've got for the machine, a Philips 22" 220CW8FB/05 LCD wide screen monitor, which has a nice display, really.

As one does, I've calibrated said monitor and saved the settings, everything looked great. Experience tells me to be weary of what might happen, so I restarted the PC to see that my monitor's resolution and setting aren't displayed properly.

The image is stretched vertically, and the Start bar isn't even visible - until - I go Personalize > and adjust the resolution to something else, select No when asked if I'd like to keep it and hey presto, my monitor displays properly now. Problem is, I have to do that every single time I restart the machine.

Currently, I've got just the drivers that come with my components CDs, I haven't been able to check on-line for other versions (but there isn't one for the monitor) for say the motherboard or graphics card, because in one of typically brilliant Windows moments™ (like when my mouse stopped working and it prompted me to "click here to fix the problem"), when I tried to install the -Vista compatible- modem, Vista said it wouldn't install it without a digital signature, and that I should go to the manufacturer's website for more information. I would. If I had a modem.

So, in your humble opinion, which is the bigger waste of money currently? Vista or my monitor (twice as expensive as Vista)?

Alternatively, any suggestions as to how I would be able to resolve the aforementioned conflict? I'd really like to keep both of them.

PS. I guess it could also be a graphics card problem. It's French (not really, it's from Taiwan, an MSI NX8800GT).

Get the latest drivers for the 8800GT.. I'd recommend getting them from the actual Nvidia website. Here's a link to the Newest drivers possible. with Physx included. this will actually make the GFX card work about 15% better or more cuz it's all the improvements.

Here's the link to the exact driver, this is a Vista 64bit intall.

If you have not installed a driver for the GFX card. then that is for sure your problem. As after you install the driver. you should set the Monitors resolution through the Nvidia Control Panel. witch you can access by right clicking your mouse. it will be in the middle. Go there after installing this driver.

GeForce Release 178

Good Luck. post results

Thanks for replying - unfortunately that didn't do anything, it's still the same as before, I had tried with the latest drivers off the manufacturer's site, then again with the nVidia ones from the link you gave.

The problem is just as before, it's saved at 1680*1050@60Hz, but after a restart it doesn't seem to realize this, despite it still showing that when you check it. You need to change the resolution, then select No when asked to keep it, and then it displays properly.

Starting to dislike this Vista 64 gig. Bought another modem, which installed fine, but hard crashes my machine too when trying to connect. Reminds me of Win Me (in that I've never had so many crashes since then). Great scenes.

Have you tried installing a generic pnp monitor driver

No, I haven't - where would I go about finding one, I'm not turning up anything on Google.

By the way, my monitor is recognized as a "Generic PnP Monitor" by the marvel that is Vista. And yes, the driver is installed, though according to Vista, I'm guessing not to it's whimsical liking.

In your first post you said you select no to keep the settings.
Try selecting yes to keep the settings.

Err... no, not quite. After I calibrate the monitor, and save the settings, Windows shows the display as being 1680*1050. That's cool. It displays properly, until I restart, then it "defaults" to the factory settings (i.e. uncalibrated). When I check the settings after the restart it still shows 1680*1050, though it's clearly not, because the image is distorted, fuzzy and out of proportion. To get it to display properly, I have to go to the Personalize or nVidia control panel, to modify the display ,and then click Apply. After it changes the resolution (doesn't matter to what), I select No, for it to default back to 1680*1050 and -then- it displays like it's supposed to.

lol WOW

thats retarded. haha I'm sorry.

Maybe it's a faulty 8800GT lol I don't know. but my vista works like a charm, and is NO way like WinME!

Funny you should say that, cause I tried both the monitor and card on my old XP rig, and surprisingly (and frustratingly), everything works like a charm. There's nothing wrong with either of them.

The only other variable is Vista 64. And it sure feels like a 64 bit version of WinME right now...

lol.. try vista 32

I don't know Sir, sorry for the no help.