How to set lower screen resolution on HP Pavilion

[anda3219]

I'm trying to figure out if its possible to lower my screen resolution to 800 x 600 on my HP Pavilion Sleekbook 14 - b010us running on Windows 8. I need to do this; its the only way I can get  my pico projector to run using  VGA to HDMI converter - I tried it with my Sony VAIO and it works perfectly. The lowest setting I'm seeing on my HP is 1024 x 768 and thats not working. Any help??? Don't want to have to buy a new projector - this one works just fine and HP laptop has no VGA port 😞

[Cloud_Strider]

I understand that you need to the 800x600 resolution.  

Use these steps to enable low resolution mode where many options are available.  I tested this on a Ultrabook using an Intel graphics card similar to the one you have.  1024x768 was the smallest resolution available, but I had 800x600 among others with low resolution mode enabled.  Do note the display is not designed for that resolution, so the notebook's screen may not look quite as sharp or as good as it did in a native resolution.

Let me know if this answered your question.

[anda3219]

Okay thanks for the tip.  I'll try it later and let you know how it goes. But before I do, how do I get the settings back to normal when I'm finished with my presentations? I don't want to leave it on low-res all the time.

[Cloud_Strider]

On my test unit, I was able to switch from 800x600 back to 1366x768 (the highest the unit supported).  You should be able to change the resolution to a standard resolution for the unit.  On the test unit, the only different I could find in low resolution mode was that there were more resolutions to choose from.  All other functions appeared to be normal despite it being in low resolution mode.  However, I didn't have a game to test the video card, but it showed active in device manager and all other options for the video card were available so I don't think it was affected.

[Cloud_Strider]

Did low resolution mode do the trick for you?

[anda3219]

Yep it worked, but I personally think its too long a process to go through everytime I need to do a presentation, since it resets when I switch back to normal resolution. Most of my graphics were affected in low res so I wont be leaving it in that mode. I did see on the advanced Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel that there's an option for setting custom resolutions - I added the 800 x 600 and I'm seeing it saved, but no option for actually applying it - just the option of removing the setting :<

[Cloud_Strider · Accepted solution]

I ran into that same issue using the custom resolution option in the Intel driver manager and only had success using low resolution mode.  I had also edited the registry to force more options.  The registry edit resulting in more resolutions between 1366x768 and 1024x768, but nothing lower.  Windows 8 isn't really designed for lower resolutions (at least, that's not the ideal resolutions targeted), so I imagine this would be present on just about any Windows 8 standard notebook.

However, I did come across this site today in an effort to ensure I wasn't overlooking anything...and it appears I was.  I'm not certain how I didn't think to check the advanced settings option to get more resolutions.  This approach doesn't require enabling low resolution mode on reboot, but it will requiring going to screen resolution>advanced settings>list all modes to get the 800x600 option each time you need it.

Let me know if this answered your questions.

[anda3219]

This works and is less complicated than the previous way. Thanks a lot!

[Cloud_Strider]

Sorry for the delayed response as I was out of the office.

You are most welcome.  I'm glad the second method worked out better for you.

Thanks for updating the community.  🙂

[madudibob]

Pls can you tell method for window 7