Acer Travelmate 2480 - Display not Crisp After Connecting to a KVM

[allanc]

A client brought her laptop in for software problems unrelated to video.
Specifically, her Adobe Flash would not update, etc.
I connected a monitor, mouse and keyboard through a KVM switch.
After I returned the laptop to her she noticed that the letters on her desktop, Word, etc were grainy.
I worked on the laptop again and deleted one of the two video controllers in 'device manager' (caused by the external monitor?), downloaded and installed new drivers from Intel, checked that she had the maximum resolution / refresh rate / colours.
Then I enabled Clear Type which seemed to improve the graininess.
I have returned the laptop to her but she is insisting that the characters were much sharper before my initial repair.
What am I missing?
Thank you in advance.

 

[NYJimbo]

I dont see how a KVM would add a video controller, monitor maybe, but not video controller.

Its possible that either connecting the KVM caused a zap and slightly damaged something or the customer is wrong.

Do you recall what the other video controller was?. Maybe the client is lying and had already played with this issue before.

 

[allanc]

I dont see how a KVM would add a video controller, monitor maybe, but not video controller.

Its possible that either connecting the KVM caused a zap and slightly damaged something or the customer is wrong.

Do you recall what the other video controller was?. Maybe the client is lying and had already played with this issue before.

Actually, my Samsung monitor was also added.
I think that both controllers were the same.
I will be getting the laptop here again in the next couple of days (I think) ... I really do not know what to do next.
I do not think that she is lying.

 

[RahmTech]

fuzzy fonts

Allanc,

I guess i first have to ask why you plugged in an external monitor to a perfectly working laptop? Have you googled for an answer? I googled your question and found the following link pointing fingers to a possible intel driver. I dont know if this will be your solution but I hope it helps in some way or another.

http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/WinXP/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/2008-08/msg01585.html

 

[allanc]

Allanc,

I guess i first have to ask why you plugged in an external monitor to a perfectly working laptop? Have you googled for an answer? I googled your question and found the following link pointing fingers to a possible intel driver. I dont know if this will be your solution but I hope it helps in some way or another.

http://www.tech-archive.net/Archive/WinXP/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/2008-08/msg01585.html

The purpose of the KVM?
Convenience - I can tuck the laptop into a corner of my working service.
Yes, I did Google for an answer.
That is how I found the Clear Type partial solution.
I will be sure to read your link carefully when the laptop arrives.
Thank you.

 

[l337]

its not just a simple aspect ratio problem is it? i know most laptops are 16:9 and if you plug it in to a 4:3 screen and let it auto adjust its kind of distorted on the laptop

 

[allanc]

its not just a simple aspect ratio problem is it? i know most laptops are 16:9 and if you plug it in to a 4:3 screen and let it auto adjust its kind of distorted on the laptop

I don't have the laptop just yet.
I seem to remember a setting in the Intel s/w for full screen and borderless.
Beyond that, I am not sure.

 

[blackburgpchelp]

Make sure it is displaying at the native resolution of the laptop lcd. It's possible when it connected to the external monitor it adjusted resolution and didn't change back once disconnected.
-Rance

 

[usacvlr]

If it was an auto sensing kvm it may have damaged it.

 

[allanc]

I dont see how a KVM would add a video controller, monitor maybe, but not video controller.

Its possible that either connecting the KVM caused a zap and slightly damaged something or the customer is wrong.

Do you recall what the other video controller was?. Maybe the client is lying and had already played with this issue before.

The issue is finally resolved.
Apparently, the client has problems with her vision so text that might seem 'fine' to me is awful for her.
Anyway, I went back to a restore point prior to me working on the computer and it still looked grainy (if you look close enough or with a magnifying glass).
Then:
- installed current Intel drivers (used Acer drivers first time)
- updated the DirectX drivers
- enabled clear type and used the tool at Microsoft to fine tune (for my vision)
- ensured the resolution and refresh rate were 'native' according to Acer's specs
- made sure that colours were 32-bit
- disabled 'Use drop shadows for icon labels on the desktop'
These settings were the best for *my vision* even when using a magnifying glass.
She is now very satisfied and has written me a very nice 'thank you' letter.

By the way - there are still two 'Mobile Intel 945GM Express Chipset Family' video adapters in device manager.
My theory at this point is "if it ain't broken ... don't try to fix it"

 

[Vicenarian]

Nice resolution.
**************************

 

[JW The Computer Guy]

Good to hear that you solved the problem.

 

[NYJimbo]

I still dont see how updating adobe caused all this.

"A client brought her laptop in for software problems unrelated to video.
Specifically, her Adobe Flash would not update, etc.
I connected a monitor, mouse and keyboard through a KVM switch.
After I returned the laptop to her she noticed that the letters on her desktop, Word, etc were grainy."

The KVM could not have done this nor adobe. I am still convinced the client was wrong, that is you didnt do anything wrong, she either has been seeing this for a while OR she just started to notice it again after it was away for a while.

 

[allanc]

I still dont see how updating adobe caused all this.

"A client brought her laptop in for software problems unrelated to video.
Specifically, her Adobe Flash would not update, etc.
I connected a monitor, mouse and keyboard through a KVM switch.
After I returned the laptop to her she noticed that the letters on her desktop, Word, etc were grainy."

The KVM could not have done this nor adobe. I am still convinced the client was wrong, that is you didnt do anything wrong, she either has been seeing this for a while OR she just started to notice it again after it was away for a while.

I agree.
I tried to rationalize the sequence of events too - no success.
In the back of my mind, I was worried that she was going to try to work me over for a replacement laptop.

 

[allanc]

Nice resolution.
**************************

And, how long have you been holding onto that pun?