I have a sony vailo s3hp laptop and I need to know if it's capable
(probably via driver download) of outputing a resolution of 1366 x
768 on an external monitor. (Note I recently posted a question about
getting another res for my monitor, which I've since sorted.) I've
looked through the settings on the laptop and there doesn't seem to be
an option to display this resolution. I want it to output at 1366 x
768 so that it will fit the
optimum res of my external monitor (a 42" lcd tv) and give me a clear
picture. I can't find any drivers at nvidias site or sonys site (for
the nvidia geforce go 6200 that i'm pretty sure is the laptops
graphics card). I found one on another site that enabled new
resolutions, but not 1366 x 768. It would be great if you could let me
know where I can get a driver to enable the laptop to do it (or any
other way of doing it). Otherwise if you could say
definitively that it is impossible, that would also save me some time.
Please email the answer to john@claritycomms.com.

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Clarification of Question by billbryson-ga on 20 Mar 2006 13:26 PST

i have now got the laptop to display externally at this resolution by
using powerstrip software, but the picture is very distorted - looks
like everythings being displayed two or three times in a slightly
different position or something and flickers when you do anything. I'm
using a dvi-hdmi lead (as it won't do widescreen through vga for some
reason). Any ideas would be much appreciated.

You can try using a freeware tool from EnTech Taiwan
MultiRes which enables you to easily access and alter the display settings
available through the current display drivers. If 1366x768 is
available natively with the installed drivers it will show and be
easily switchable.
http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/multires.shtm

Otherwise for making advanced custom resolutions you can use their
PowerStrip software which is try-before-you-buy and reasonably priced.
http://www.entechtaiwan.com/util/ps.shtm

Downloads are on the left side, click on the floppy disk icon.

Thanks very much for your advice. As per my clarification above, I
tried the software and it enabled me to display externally at the
correct resolution, but the screen was very distorted. Any ideas?
(note there's a bit more info in my clarification).

Thanks!

What model monitor are you using?
You might try the following:
Check your cabling, try another cable if you have one.
There is some info about that fuzzyness and flickering can be caused
by slightly incorrect resolution for the display, eg if it is 1360x768
or 1368x768 so check the resolution is perfectly correct for the
display.
Also what are you displaying, normal desktop and software or video or video games?

the monitor is toshibas 42WLT58. i've checked the cabling and I've
checked its the right resolution. i'm displaying normal desktop stuff
on it. toshiba has said that I've got the wrong remote (for some
strange reason they sent me the wrong remote when i got it). They're
sending me the correct remote and they think the screen size button
will sort it out. I'll be surprised if that works, but we'll see.

Sounds like you are running Windows 2000.  If I'm right I should get
the answer money.

If so, you probably wont be able to drive the two monitors (internal
and external) at different resolutions.  I've only seen that
possibility with Matrox.

However, you seem to have fixed hurdle #1, finding a monitor INF file
that indicates thew resolution you need, 1366 x 768.  If you are
running Windows XP, you're almost there.

What you must do, under WinXP, is run true dual screen, not clone mode
where the internal and external display the same thing.  When you
Extend Your Desktop onto monitor two, be sure it's always identified
by the substitute INF file you're using.

If you're just too attached to the thing to give up, and wont do
Windows XP, get a PC Card video card, made by Margi, discontinued.
http://www.margi.com/products/prod_dtg_feat.htm