kevs

I currently have a Dell 600M laptop that came with a Radeon ATI9600 64MB Video card (I think). The primary monitor has the feature where you can hook up an extra monitor and go dual.

The thing is, the primary monitor resolution in which I'm only allowed to use on the laptop is maxed out at something like 1280 x 720. Only on the secondary monitor can I change the monitor resolution to 1600 x 1200 and higher (which I currently use as the setting on my desktop).

The secondary monitor doesn't have the function where you can hook up to a tv (to play movies or whatever) or dual monitors NOR does it allow me to see that 1600 x 1200 resolution on my laptop.

So here are my questions:

1. Is there any way to get this laptop to use the secondary monitor as the primary monitor so I can get the 1600 x 1200 setting or even change the settings to higher than the 1280 x 720?

2. If not, how hard/expensive/feasible is it to swap out video cards?

3. If it's not hard, what would ya'll recommend I get?

Thanks in advance, everyone!

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kevs

Agent Plissken

You want to get the 1600 x 1200 to display on your laptop LCD right? Are you sure that it supports resolutions above 1280x 720... If it does support above that are you sure you have the proper video drivers installed for both your screen and the video card? Thats about all I could guess for this situation.

kevs

Yeah, it doesn't look like my video card supports 1600x1200......

How hard/feasible would it be to swap out the video card?

ray

I believe LPMiller can answer that one for you. I can't imagine it's too difficult. Just make sure you buy the right video card!

slaus

I'm not sure if the 600m came with the swappable graphics package. I think it was mostly the 8xxx and 9xxx series that had the swappable graphics option.

I have a laptop with an ATI9600 and it runs in 1600x1200 with no problems. Then again, the LCD's native resolution is that.

kevs

That stinks for the 600m.....does this mean I'm out of luck?

kevs

Bump from the past...I'm rethinking this option again.

Jeffbx

I'm pretty sure you're going to be SOL on this one. One of the disadvantages to LCD displays is that they're not multisync, meaning that they're optimized to run at one particular resolution only. The limitation you're seeing is a hardware limitation of the LCD, not the video card. The card itself can easliy handle 1600x1200 @60Hz, which is what you would need to drive the LCD. However, your LCD's resolution maxes out at (whatever it is), so you won't be able to go higher than that without swapping LCD panels, which is not possible on a laptop. At least, not possible for less than the cost of a new laptop.

kevs

That sucks....but now I know.

Thanks for the info!

zippyjuan

Unless you have a 20 inch laptop monitor!

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