Help with Resolution on External Monitor

[KurtinSA]

I want to set my HP Envy 15t to drive an external monitor, not as an extension, but rather as my primary monitor.  My external monitor is a Viewsonic VX2250, a little older, and requires that I use a HDMI-to-VGA adapter.  (The Viewsonic also has DVI inputs...not sure it that would make a difference.)  On my current tower setup, I use the monitor in its recommended (or native mode) setting of 1920x1080.  I like this screen a lot.

The adapter is a Bytecc HM-VGA005 and the specs seem to suggest that it can handle a variety of video resolutions - Full HD (1080p), WUXGA (1920x1200 RB mode), and UXGA (1600x1200 VESA mode).

The 15t currently runs in the recommended resolution of 1366x768.  If I understand the specs right, in HD mode it's 1366x768 and in FHD mode it's 1920x1080.   The graphics card is an Intel HD Graphics 4600.  Is this the reason that I can only get HD resolution and not FHD resolution on the laptop?

But whenever I plug all this together and try and change the laptop screen resolution settings, the external monitor only shows 1024x768...pretty lousy.  I have it so that the laptop screen is dark and only the external monitor is on.  But there doesn't seem to be any choices I can make to improve this resolution.  I've checked to see that the graphics driver is up to date and it is. 

What do I do to get the best screen I can on the external monitor?  Would buying a new monitor with HDMI inputs achieve better results?  Do I need a different adapter?

Thanks...Kurt

[KurtinSA]

Added note...when I updated the graphics driver, I did that by looking at the device manager for the display adapters and used that to update the driver.  It's 10.18.10.3960 on 9/29/2014.  I suspect this is through the HP website.  Should I try to get a driver through Intel's site?  I see something that is 10.18.10.4156 dated 3/6/2015.

Kurt

[KurtinSA]

Another update!  I used a short HDMI cable and went direct from the laptop to my Sony flatpanel TV.  It ran the TV at 1920 x 1080.  So, now I know the laptop will do it.  I guess I need to work backwards and check either the adapter or try the DVI port on the monitor.  After that, I might have to jump to an HDMI-capable monitor.

Kurt

[KurtinSA]

Guess I'll just continue the conversation with myself!  At work, I connected to a Dell flatpanel P2312H which I've been running in 1920x1028 mode off of a Dell docking station.  I connected it to the HP laptop using the VGA cable and the BYTECC HDMI-VGA adapter and all is well.  The Dell monitor runs at 1920x1028 when I shut down the laptop screen and just use the external monitor mode.

So, the issue appears to be my Viewsonic monitor at home.  About the only other thing to try is an HDMI-DVI cable.  If that doesn't work, then I need to buy another monitor.

Kurt

[KurtinSA · Accepted solution]

Me again!  Well, it was a bit of the nut behind the wheel.    I checked in with the store that I've been buying my cables, adapters, etc.  He said to bring the Viewsonic monitor by to see what might be going on.  As I was setting up, he asked about power to the adapter.  I had the USB cable but didn't think it was needed.  But after putting everything together in addition to power to the HDMI-VGA adapter, I could see I was getting the resolution that I was hoping for.  Why it worked on the Dell monitor, no clue...maybe a better monitor or different VGA cable.  The Bytecc adpater didn't come with any instructions, so I just didn't know.

All is well.  Hope this helps someone in the future.

Kurt