New LCD monitor - resolution question

[fos]

I am running Debian Lenny on a via motherboard with built in video.

I just had to replace my Sony CRT based Gateway 22" monitor. I ran it at 1024 x 768 which worked out well with the large screen. The 9 year old Gateway gave up the ghost.

I replaced the Gateway with a modestly priced HP 2009m LCD monitor with a 20" diagonal measurement. The new screen has a very wide aspect ratio compared to the old Gateway. The specifications were good considering my budget. CRTs are no longer available at any of our local supply stores (Best Buy, Office Depot, Walmart, and etc.).

The highest resolution that I can obtain with Debian (and even Windows XP with the supplied drivers) is 1024 x 768. The new screen specifies that it is optimal at 1600 x 900, at 1024 x 768 the image is obviously distorted since it spread the image to fill the screen anyway.

Is the maximum screen resolution controlled by the on board video hardware? If that is the case would an add on video card provide increased resolution?

That being the case, I would appreciate modestly priced video card suggestions.

fos

[uteck]

I am fairly sure (95% sure) the max resolution is determined by the video hardware, so you will need a new video card. I would image any old card will be better then what you have. I have a few old AGP and 1 PCI card (Nvidia 5500) laying around if you want one really cheap.

[fos]

I figured the issue was hardware related. :(

I saw a review recently about a new generation multi core video processor from ATI that offered a lot of bang for the buck. It's street price was supposed to be about $100.

I should have known that the new LCD monitors would be less flexible than a CRT. It is much easier to juggle electrons than it is to rearrange pixel elements.

I may try to find another CRT and give this new thing to my wife.

Jeff

PS. Let me search around here and see what I can find local. I may take you up on your offer. I'll let you know, thanks.

PPS. The lipo spammer has been vacuumed up and blocked from further posts.

[Leon]

IIRC video resolution is also a function of available VRAM. If your system shares system RAM with its onboard video, you may be able to increase the allocation of memory to video display in the BIOS.

Regarding Carolin's question: best to contact the maker. Some LCD's interpolate lower resolution sources to fill the screen, others just display the lower resolution as a smaller image, although I don't think there are too many LCD monitors out there that still do it that way.

[fos]

Hi Carolin,

Could you describe the connectors on your video card and on your monitor?

Thanks for joining. I hope you find what you are looking for and return often.

Jeff