WithoutMotive Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 Having a thick moment. Someone's just brought me a laptop where the taskbar and the right hand side of the screen can no longer be seen. The taskbar isn't hidden - when you press the Windows key, the start menu appear. The centre of the wallpaper is more towards the bottom right. It's as if the machine thinks it has a big screen when it hasn't. I've changed the resolution with no difference - that just changes the size of the icons, etc, and does nothing else. Help!
WithoutMotive Posted June 20, 2013 Author Posted June 20, 2013 Nope. Doesn't even give the option because a second monitor isn't detected.
chazzy2501 Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 this happens on some laptops when you set the screen resolution higher than the native display.
Joanne Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 have you tried uninstalling the graphics driver? Then re-installing?
Michael Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 That's weird, I came across this exact issue with a Toshiba netbook last week. I found Device Manager had the wrong screen driver installed and thinks (as you say) that the screen is larger than it really is. Even when I changed it, it made no difference. I also found it did it with the BIOS screen, so came to the conclusion the graphics chip was at fault. Have you tried looking at the BIOS? I plan to take another look at it tomorrow and install Windows as new to see if it's still there or not.
WithoutMotive Posted June 20, 2013 Author Posted June 20, 2013 That's weird, I came across this exact issue with a Toshiba netbook last week. I found Device Manager had the wrong screen driver installed and thinks (as you say) that the screen is larger than it really is. Even when I changed it, it made no difference. I also found it did it with the BIOS screen, so came to the conclusion the graphics chip was at fault. Have you tried looking at the BIOS? I plan to take another look at it tomorrow and install Windows as new to see if it's still there or not. This is with a HP netbook and I've just found it is the same with the BIOS screen. It seems impossible to look at the BIOS at the moment. Still playing.
chazzy2501 Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 I could imagine that an incorrect firmware update to the graphics card could cause this. I just couldn't see this being part of any automated update though?
Michael Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 I think I'll try flashing the BIOS, but failing that it must be a graphics chip problem and not a driver or resolution issue. The BIOS normally works at 640 x 480 (at least on netbooks).
chazzy2501 Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 have you tried an external monitor btw? BIOS as well..
chazzy2501 Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 you don't have screen scaling options in the bios? what graphics does it have maybe there is a firmware update for it?
WithoutMotive Posted June 20, 2013 Author Posted June 20, 2013 Started an online support conversation with an HP tech.
mac_shinobi Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 (edited) Be interesting to know the outcome, keep us posted Not sure if it is the same thing but I know with D620 / D630's there was a setting related to zooming or using the full laptop display or having it set to a smaller size. Looked similar to this youtube video : Maybe look through all bios settings or reset bios to factory defaults ? quote from site ( http://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-software/pc-hardware/monitors-displays-and-video-cards/threads/223851/small-screen-during-post ) I had a Dell Latitude D620 with this problem and the solution was to go in to the system setup (press F2 during post or F12 and then select from the menu) and under video enable "LCD Expansion". On some models I believe that Fn + F7 or F8 will work as well. Edited June 20, 2013 by mac_shinobi 1
mac_shinobi Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 you don't have screen scaling options in the bios? what graphics does it have maybe there is a firmware update for it? Looks like you beat me to it with this comment / post lol
WithoutMotive Posted June 20, 2013 Author Posted June 20, 2013 Not sure if it is the same thing but I know with D620 / D630's there was a setting related to zooming or using the full laptop display or having it set to a smaller size. Looked similar to this youtube video : Maybe look through all bios settings or reset bios to factory defaults ? quote from site ( http://www.daniweb.com/hardware-and-software/pc-hardware/monitors-displays-and-video-cards/threads/223851/small-screen-during-post ) I had a Dell Latitude D620 with this problem and the solution was to go in to the system setup (press F2 during post or F12 and then select from the menu) and under video enable "LCD Expansion". On some models I believe that Fn + F7 or F8 will work as well. I'll have a look at this but I can't actually see any of the BIOS because of the problem. 1
mac_shinobi Posted June 20, 2013 Posted June 20, 2013 I'll have a look at this but I can't actually see any of the BIOS because of the problem. Even if you use an external screen just so you can see the options in the bios ??
WithoutMotive Posted June 22, 2013 Author Posted June 22, 2013 After much messing about, the netbook finally decided to right itself. Went through about six different drivers to get there but it was eventually sorted out. Thanks for all your suggestions. 1
mac_shinobi Posted June 22, 2013 Posted June 22, 2013 After much messing about, the netbook finally decided to right itself. Went through about six different drivers to get there but it was eventually sorted out. Thanks for all your suggestions. You now have a fully qualified list of things to try for future reference inc ensuring its the correct display driver )
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