Widescreen Gaming Forum

OK.

First things first:

Vista x64
NVidia driver 190.62
GTX 285x3 Tril-SLI
3 Dell WFP2208 monitors
GXM 2.4.11

I am writing this with the NVidia cpl error box for the custom res mode test failure staring me in the face on my right hand monitor....buuuut, it didn't fail. Followed the advice in this post:

http://www.widescreengamingforum.com/node/11228

and it worked...almost. I had to go with 55Hz vice the recommended 56, which IMHO is the reason it may be failing for others also: different monitors need different Hz. I have 5040x1050 right now, but if I either:
a. Hit "OK" on the test mode failure pop-up, or...
b. try to hit the red "x" in the upper right hand corner of said pop-up to canx it...

it reverts to 4080x768. I seem to recall this being discussed elsewhere, but I have looked and looked and couldn't find the thread.

If anyone knows how I can get through this, I am all ears.

So goofy. How the hell can it switch to the desired mode, then tell you "Nope. Sorry. It failed." :roll: :shock:

BTW, anyone else notice that the PWRDSK/GXM software for Vista64 has been pulled from the Matrox site. Only the firmware update and the Surround Utility are available. Strange, huh? They deliver a W7 driver and pull the Vista driver around the same time.../snark

Well, since the new W7 Powerdesk has hit, I decided to try the very latest Nvidia drivers and use the settings suggested in the link in my post above...

Whaddya know, it worked (55Hz) :roll: . Created the custom res in the Nvidia Control Panel (NCPL) and it stuck, first try :D . Nvidia drivers 191.07

Now to try and get the Powerdesk installed....

BTW, I am using the very latest firmware as well.

Some things I noted during this journey.

When using Driver Cleaner, you must clean with:

1. nvivia
2. nvidia PhysX
3. nvidia WDM


I had forgotten about WDM, seeing as it's been so long since I have even tried to upgrade from 182.50. There is no option to clean with the Stereoscopic 3D driver. It may have been added and I just don't have the latest version of DC.

Really starting to think that the Hz req in the custom res profile may be what's giving everyone so much trouble. A 22in panel is a 22in panel is a 22in panel. If its' native res is 1680x1050, then it's gotta be the Hz that's causing the trouble, as I would think that all the rest the timings should be the same.

If you are sporting Dell monitors, try the 55Hz refresh rate.

If anyone has any questions or wants more specifics, I will be happy to oblige.

Doesn't matter which GXM/PWRDSK I use, it won't recognize the custom res 5040 made with the Nvidia CPL. The Vista "beta", intervening non-beta Vista versions, even the new W7, none works with 191.07.

What's more, because the GXM won't recognize it, it doesn't get reported to windows, therefore none of my game see it...yet, my desktop is 5040@55Hz.

Seems like the GXM somehow overrides whatever res you can come up with in the nv cpl.

I have a feeling that for Matrox, this is probably a very simple fix. How can I create the res in the cpl, use it as my normal desktop, yet not have the GXM recognize it or use it? I called them a few weeks back and was informed that this was a problem on NVidia's end, and I took them at their word, but the proof's in the pudding. I have 5040 up. It's fully operational. NVidia's drivers work. I even have bez mgmnt. What I don't have is the GXM recognizing the custom res.

This is ridiculous. It shouldn't be this hard.

As soon as ATi get their act together with their EyeFinity, the 5970 and their drivers, I think I will be moving on. I figure one less link in this chain (the actual DTH2Go) is good. Simplifies things.