Cant get 5040x1050 to work, Matrox support says no gtx295

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 26 Mar 2009, 22:29

my system:

XP 64
GTX 295
3x Acer V223W, 22" monitors, 1680x1050 native
TH2G Digital running latest firmware off Matrox site
nVidia Driver: 182.08
---------------

Followed this guide as soon as I unpacked and plugged everything in:
http://www.matrox.com/graphics/en/support/gxm/windows/th2go/digital/howto1/

My only variation was that the guide points to a slightly older version of PowerdeskSE, i noticed in Matrox downloads a 2.0.4 version instead of 2.0.3 as the guide points out.

So I updated firmware, restarted
Installed PowerdeskSE, restarted

As soon as the machine came back up a wizard launched, it prompted me to setup my resolution, so i selected TripleHead, Widescreen [email protected] i hit OK, it attempted to apply the resolution at which point the software said SUCCESSFUL, but my monitors are showing a [email protected] they look very strange.

I called Matrox, they said that current version of PD does NOT support the 295....but i see plenty of you guys running my same setup!

what am i missing? do i need to run older version of nVidia drivers? older version of PD-SE?

help!

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 26 Mar 2009, 23:20

Mmm you are the first person I have seen to run XP 64! I wonder if that is the problem? But for me just use the latest NV drivers and the latest PD-SE software and it works fine.

However I am using XP32 and GTX280's

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 26 Mar 2009, 23:52

Mmm you are the first person I have seen to run XP 64! I wonder if that is the problem? But for me just use the latest NV drivers and the latest PD-SE software and it works fine.

However I am using XP32 and GTX280's

its an nehalem based system so im running 6gb(3x2gb) ddr3 kit...without x64 i wouldnt be able to run as much memory...x64 causes alot of little quirks in apps :/

i read a thread on how to 'test' if your monitor supports 1680x1050@57, but judging from the posts

i was FINALLY able to successfuly run 1440x900@60 in the meantime, works find in desktop, so no more dealing with stretched images, and all games i have installed detect the 4320x900 res so :)

just have to deal with the slight blurriness of not running the display at native res for now.

will keep playing around with it tonight; might resort to reinstalling 32bit just for 'proof' of it working OK.

if anyone else has some suggestions im all ears!

Post by **Downtown1** » 27 Mar 2009, 00:33

Try Vista x64?

TR0LL · Post by **TR0LL** » 27 Mar 2009, 02:25

I have the EXACT same thing, monitors gtx295 and XP 64, mine works fine, make sure your using the latest Matrox software.

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 27 Mar 2009, 15:26

After reading this thread, I'm a little concerned. I just purchased the GTX295 and I am waiting for my TH2G. But I am running Windows XP. I am considering going to Vista 32bit.

Do you think I will have the same problem?

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 27 Mar 2009, 16:44

Nope... not really even sure what the problem is. The PD software doesnt need to (or can) support specific chipsets, just drivers. It supports nVidia drivers by way of Ini hacks (as documented in the custom res hacking thread) which in turn support whatever new gfx cards.

The only reason new drivers occasionally dont work with the Matrox software is due to nVidia changing their driver syntax or changing the the method of implementing custom settings.

People have the impression here that the Matrox SW does some very complicated voodoo, it really doesnt.

Jack Beauregard · Post by **Jack Beauregard** » 27 Mar 2009, 19:43

It's possible tu play on the 5040x1050 on Vista64/32 without problem or bug now ?

Post by **Mach1.9pants** » 27 Mar 2009, 22:45

In short:
Officially Matrox says:
1. XP and NVidia card OK for 5040
2. Vista and/or Ati card max is 4320.

However
1. If you have a 200 series card there is a BETA Matrox PD-SE available which gives 5040 in Vista and Win7
2. Some people have been able to get 5040 by setting a custom res in NVidia Ctrl Panel.
For both of these see the sticky here for links to those fixes.

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 28 Mar 2009, 14:05

Nope... not really even sure what the problem is. The PD software doesnt need to (or can) support specific chipsets, just drivers. It supports nVidia drivers by way of Ini hacks (as documented in the custom res hacking thread) which in turn support whatever new gfx cards.

The only reason new drivers occasionally dont work with the Matrox software is due to nVidia changing their driver syntax or changing the the method of implementing custom settings.

People have the impression here that the Matrox SW does some very complicated voodoo, it really doesnt.

thats right, its simpy creating the custom res' for you and injecting it into the display panel/nv control panel.

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 28 Mar 2009, 14:16

i UNINSTALLED everything GXM related last night..restarted a few times just for good measure, then:

-installed fresh nVidia drivers, restarted
-double-checked to have latest Th2g Firmware, restarted
-installed PD-SE 2.04.00.011, restarted
-WIZARD comes up, select Triple Monitors, i CHECK "install triple widescreen resolutions", select 3x1680x1050 from the drop down list, hit finish
-wizard begins doing its green checkmark steps, when it gets to applying resolution the screen goes black momentarily while it switches resolution.

** i got a different result this time**

the Display Properties says 5040x1050, this is good
my Monitors OSD info says 1280x1024, BUT because Windows is displaying a 5040x1050 image on 1280x1024 monitors...my start menu is barely visible....

hard to explain...but imagine laying a LETTER size piece of paper over a LEGAL size piece of paper...you 'see' the LEGAL size paper behind it..but your screen size is only 8.5x11 so it gets cutoff, but you can tell its there.

maybe the monitors dont like 1680x1050@57 ??
-but the 'known working list' shows them

maybe i need to reflash my TH2GO firmware?

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 29 Mar 2009, 22:00

You should do a search, someone else reported the same problem with the same monitor, sounds like a monitor issue:
http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=149696&highlight=acer#149696

If Windows is listing the resolution correctly but it only falls down when being displayed on the monitor.. then the monitor is a likely suspect.
I gave a suggestion on changing monitor scaling in the other thread, the OP never updated if it worked or not. Bear in mind that a certain revision of your monitor may work while yours does not. The list is just a guideline.

I also wouldnt bother with Wizard, Ive never seen it work correctly. Infact the Wizard has never listed 5040x1050 (/1680 x3) for me yet Ive being running it (untouched settings between driver updates) for months now. Just set it up manually.

Its assumed you have the latest FW on the TH2G, why wouldn't you update that first?

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 30 Mar 2009, 17:32

thanks for the help.

ill try updating the th2go firmware again before continuing.

the setting a custom resolution thread was started for Vista users so i didnt think it applied to me; but youre right..a custom resolution will work for any OS since its the nV control panel making the changes.

im hoping to get it at 5040 or i might just have to return the th2go :/

mattsimis · Post by **mattsimis** » 30 Mar 2009, 20:26

thanks for the help.

ill try updating the th2go firmware again before continuing.

the setting a custom resolution thread was started for Vista users so i didnt think it applied to me; but youre right..a custom resolution will work for any OS since its the nV control panel making the changes.

im hoping to get it at 5040 or i might just have to return the th2go :/

Personally, Id dump the monitors over the TH2G!

r3zon8 · Post by **r3zon8** » 31 Mar 2009, 19:07

[quote]thanks for the help.

ill try updating the th2go firmware again before continuing.

the setting a custom resolution thread was started for Vista users so i didnt think it applied to me; but youre right..a custom resolution will work for any OS since its the nV control panel making the changes.

im hoping to get it at 5040 or i might just have to return the th2go :/

Personally, Id dump the monitors over the TH2G!

i need to reinstall my OS soon anyway, so i was going to run XP32 this time around and try to get it working. this should rule out any software conflict issue as it will be a 'clean install'. if it still doesnt work, ill probably just return the th2go and monitors and get a single large monitor again.

just to make sure...what is the latest version of TH2GO firmware? download link?

sierra whisky · Post by **sierra whisky** » 02 Apr 2009, 20:10

This is the same problem that i have in XP32 Bits and Windows7 64 Bits.

I have the same 4320x900 in both systems, but in 5040x1050 the monitors displays 1280x1024 and the image appears as 5040x1050 but blurried...

gabbadude · Post by **gabbadude** » 06 Apr 2009, 13:05

I just want to know if the original poster ever sorted this out? I have a GTX295 and I am waiting for my TH2G and monitors. I won't be getting the same monitors but I just want to know whether this will work with the GTX295?

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