Alright, so I finally got around to building a new computer, but I can't figure out how to get my monitor to keep everything at its original aspect ratio. It will either stretch the image or throw it off-screen. This is with an onboard GeForce 6150. I know about the video card; it's my only weak point at the moment and I just have to deal with it until I get money to get something better. I don't remember exactly how to put everything at a fixed aspect ratio in the nVidia settings, and honestly I'm not sure if it would help since I had this same problem once I hooked this monitor up to my laptop. Any suggestions?
If it is an onboard graphics device, take a look in the BIOS settings. This is common for laptops, but I could see it being extended to integrated graphics too.
I have that card. Get lastest drivers (94.xx on XP), right click desktop, nVidia Control panel, Display, make sure it says advanced view at the top (click if it says standard) then choose Manage custom timings and Create the res for your display.
Damn, I was in the same boat, 6100, and it drove me crazy. It seems like you can tell it to keep the ratio but I forgot and can't check cus the vista menu is different. It's in the old control panel... you can also visit widescreengamingforum for tips on setting stuff up on widescreen, thats what I do.
I got all of this, but I toyed around with the different settings and I can't seem to find one that works. No matter what I pick (Fixed Aspect Ratio, Automatic, etc.) it always stretches the image. Edit: I read somewhere on the Widescreen Gaming Wiki that some monitors don't allow for non-widescreen ratio (don't remember what it is at the moment). I guess this would make sense since I couldn't get it working once I started using this particular monitor (Samsung SyncMaster 941BW). Oh well...
I think my problem is that I'm using the analog connection (since I don't have a DVI connecter; no real video card yet). My brother just bought a new LCD and it allows him to change his aspect ratio settings. Oh well, at least I figured out what it (probably) is.
Yeah, prolly have to tough it out till you get a card. May I suggest the great priced Geforce 7900 GS? =)
That's actually the exact card I was going for. The integrated card sucks for gaming, but I imagine the 7900GS will make a world of difference. I really just want something to play Oblivion and Bioshock on. For once the rest of my computer can keep up. For the curious, my build is: AMD Athlon X2 4600+ 320GB Seagate HD 2GB DDR2 800 RAM [some Gigabyte motherboard] ...all shoved lovingly into an Antec Sonata III case I'm pretty happy with it. I was surprised when everything actually worked the first time I turned it on.
Wow, much nicer then what I have! I have 3800 A64 and 1GB DDR. The 7900 is awesome, best part being the price. I got the OCed eVGA one for 210 something, I haven't ran into anything it can't handle yet.
Turns out that a digital input doesn't make much of a difference. Nvidia's drivers are the problem; no matter what I set the monitor to (aside from the default "stretch" option) I'll get a badly garbled display. Oh and Oblivion's stability issues are fucking awful. Third reinstall ahoy! /rant
