Setting up a monitor for gaming. Installing a new monitor

Installing a new monitor doesn't require opening the case, but you will have to crawl around on the floor to get to the cables. Here's how to make the process as easy as possible:

1. Open Device Manager and remove the current monitor from the list of devices.
2. Shut down the system and turn it off.
3. Turn off old monitor and disconnect it from the power source.
4. Disconnect the video cable from the back of the case.
5. Remove the old monitor and put a new one in its place.
6. Connect the new monitor's video cable to the video card connector.
7. Connect the power cable to the new monitor and then to the AC power source.
8. Turn on the monitor and then the computer.
9. After the system recognizes new monitor and prompts you to insert the driver CD, insert it into the drive.

Attention!
My favorite way to deal with an old monitor is to use it as a second one. additional monitor! A video card that supports dual monitors in Windows XP, Me and 98 will easily help you with this (Windows 2000 is not so nice to work with dual monitors).

If you have little space and already have two monitors, still don’t rush to throw away the old one. Find out if a nearby school or church needs a monitor.

Unless you are a monitor repair specialist, never attempt to disassemble monitors yourself. After all, have you never seen a large number of almost identical parts at the same time? Even long after the monitor is turned off, contacts located in close proximity to the cathode ray tube remain charged with static electricity, which can be fatal. The cat, as you know, died of curiosity, and you should not follow her example.

Setting up a new monitor

After connecting a new monitor, the operating system defaults to the resolution and refresh rate of the screen. Most likely, these values ​​will be much less than you would like. Below we will talk about how to set up your monitor in the best way.

Color depth and resolution

To change the color depth, expand the Colors menu. Table 1 lists the purposes of the main color parameters.

Typically, you should use 32-bit colors if you have a 3D graphics card, 24-bit colors if 32-bit mode is not available, and 16-bit colors if higher-color modes are not available.

Table 2 lists the main screen resolution settings, the minimum sizes of CRT and LCD monitors, and the situations in which it is recommended to use the corresponding setting.

To change the screen resolution and refresh rate to suit your tastes, follow these instructions:

1. Right-click on the desktop and select Properties from the menu that appears.
2. Go to the Settings tab. Here you can select the color depth and resolution, as described earlier in this chapter.
3. Click the Advanced button to see information about your monitor type and graphics card chip, as shown in Figure. 1.
4. To change the vertical refresh rate, monitor type, and other settings, click the Advanced button. The default is enough low frequency screen updates, which leads to flickering at resolutions of 800x600 and higher. To reduce flicker, set this parameter to 72-75 Hz.

Table 1.

Table 2.

Note
Video card and monitor manufacturers like to use the same drivers hardware Models vary, so the name on the front of the monitor often does not match the name on the Settings tab of the Display Properties dialog box.

Is this fact a cause for concern? You should only make changes in cases where the monitor is listed as Unknown Display or Standard Display, because in this case the operating system simply will not allow you to select a higher screen refresh rate, since it thinks that the monitor may be damaged. Visit the video card or monitor manufacturer's Web site to find the correct driver if you think Windows is using the wrong driver.

Features of laptop computers

The video capabilities of laptop computers are extremely limited compared to desktop computers:

• Can't get rid of embedded video.
• Cannot connect a second monitor.
• Resolution and color depth are much more limited than on desktop computers.

So how do you get the most out of your laptop display? There are the following methods.

• Use an external projector or monitor whose resolution matches the native resolution of the LCD screen. The duplicate image feature on both monitors on many laptop computers only works if the projector and internal monitor have the same resolution. If you want to see the same picture on the screen that is projected onto the wall, check the numbers on the projector before purchasing it. Most laptop screens are this moment has a resolution of 1024x768; accordingly, these are the numbers that should be on the projector.
• Use laptop computers that support Dual technology View operating system Windows XP. The Dual View feature allows you to use a monitor connected to external port VGA is like a true secondary monitor, usually connected to a video card with two outputs. Of course, the monitor driver will need to be updated. However, not everyone laptop will allow you to use the Dual View feature.

Answers to frequently asked questions

What to do if after installation new video card system won't boot?

Let's list possible reasons such behavior.

• Check the most obvious thing: have you connected the monitor to a power source and to the video card?
• If your system previously had built-in video, did you remember to disable it?
• Make sure that no exposed wires or screws are touching any motherboard, or other components.
• Make sure that any cables that you had to disconnect during the upgrade process are connected correctly.

After installing a new video card I receive an error message. What to do?

Most likely, the reason this message appears is that you forgot to remove information about the old video card from the list of devices in the device manager Windows devices. Start the system in crash protection mode, remove all video cards from the list, and then boot the computer in normal mode.

What to do if the system cannot find the video card or monitor driver?

During the driver installation process, use the Browse button to view the list of drivers for yourself. Check all folders on the floppy disk or CD for updated drivers for your video card. As for the monitor, check whether the standard driver is sufficient or if you need to find something special.

What if I can't choose anymore a high resolution and color depth, despite the presence of large video memory?

This is most likely due to the fact that the operating system installed the wrong video card driver. Click the Advanced button on the Settings tab of the Display Properties dialog box and select the correct driver from the boot diskette or CD, or download the latest driver from the Internet.

What should I do if my CRT monitor looks strange after changing the screen resolution or refresh rate?

Use the monitor control buttons on the front panel to change the vertical and horizontal dimensions of the visible screen area, image position, and remove distortions. Save changes to permanent memory monitor. The next time you change to the problematic resolution, the image should remain unchanged.

Try the following.

It is much easier to configure a pair of video cards to work together if one of them works with PCI interface, and the other is AGP. Since the computer must choose one master from two video cards, this can cause problems when installing two PCI video cards.

If you are using AGP and PCI video cards, then restart your computer, enter the menu BIOS settings and find the Primary VGA BIOS option. If its value turns out to be AGP, as shown in Figure 2, then set the value to PCI, save the changes and restart the computer again.

Make sure both video cards are using latest versions drivers. If necessary, download them from the websites of video card manufacturers.

Visit www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon for a database of information about installing video card pairs.

Consider purchasing a graphics card that supports dual monitors. Some models with an AGP interface and VGA and DVI ports cost only about $100.

Is it worth spending extra money on a monitor with an extended warranty period?

I am not a supporter of extended warranties for computer components, since I think it is preferable to upgrade them. Nevertheless, the monitor occupies a special position because it does not allow user intervention: violation of safety rules is simply life-threatening. I consider it reasonable to purchase an extended warranty only under the following conditions:

• the manufacturer or supplier of the monitor ensures that it is replaced if the monitor fails for at least a year after purchase;
• the cost of the extended warranty does not exceed 25% of the cost of the monitor.

How to properly adjust your monitor (brightness, contrast, color)
All modern operating systems are built on graphical interface, so the key aspect in the work is the correct calibration of the monitor. Work productivity, picture quality and the ability of the eyes to withstand stress longer depend on a high-quality image. If you want to save your eyesight, follow simple tips below.

It’s worth mentioning right away that modern LCD and TFT monitors are practically impossible to configure in detail. All the characteristics are “out of the box”; you can adjust minor parameters, but even this is often enough to get a good warm picture.

Preparation for testing and procedure

To calibrate, you need to take 2 simple steps:

• have a test picture;
• adhere to consistency during the adjustment process.

There are several useful test programs that are ideal for home use. These include Nokia Monitor Test and Liyuma Monitor Test. Additionally, check out the included CD, which should be included in the box with the monitor. Often the manufacturer supplies the product with additional calibration software.

Brightness and contrast are options that have the greatest impact on the consumer qualities of the device. They are customized based on the type of activity. The manufacturer provides several presets for comfortable work:

• text;
• graphic arts;
• video;
• games;
• Internet, etc.

In standard mode, contrast and brightness minimize eye strain to comfortable levels. Since everyone has their own preferences, adjustments are made individually. Often it all comes down to lowering the brightness.

The purpose of a graphic image preset is to ensure true color reproduction across all ranges. There is no time for subjectivity here, since there are standardized sRGB and Adobe RGB scales. The monitor manufacturer indicates in the specifications the percentage coverage of these ranges. Aimed at working with graphic editors? Buy the option with 100% coverage. Utilities like Nokia Monitor Test allow you to check your own screen.

Video mode provides optimal settings for watching videos, movies, TV series and cartoons. Here, too, everything is subjective and determined by personal preferences. However, it is worth considering the following parameters:

• general illumination;
• picture type (bright or dim);
• distance to the monitor.

If you work exclusively with electronic documentation, where the dominant white background is, it is strongly recommended to lower the brightness, otherwise your eyes will quickly get tired.

Picture size and position

Monitors allow you to adjust the position of a visual object. When properly calibrated, the center of the displayed image clearly coincides with that of the screen. Black lines on the side or top/bottom are not acceptable. The image position is adjusted along two axes independently of each other.

There may also be geometric distortions that make the picture look like a trapezoid, distorting show jumping. Test geometric shapes should be displayed equally well at any point on the monitor, with clear outlines.

Moire is a general definition of patterns and stains that appear when viewing small objects of the same type. These occur when different grids with different frequencies are superimposed on each other. With the release of LCD panels, moire has practically exhausted itself.

Features of TFT monitors

As mentioned above, LCD devices are inherently poorly regulated. All settings were added to them at the factory. Often you can use ready-made presets (blanks), although a manual mode is also provided.

LCD monitors have two potential flaws:

• uneven brightness of the backlight or colors (deformation of the matrix used or manufacturing defects of LED lamps). Fortunately, defects are checked immediately before purchasing the product;
• defective “broken” pixels are non-working screen elements that display a static color (based on RGB color rendition). Theoretically, this is not a defect, but not everyone wants to have such a monitor.

Software calibration

Windows OS has its own methods for debugging the image on the monitor. To configure, go to “Start” and enter search bar"dccw" command. The calibration instructions are very detailed and do not require special skills. It takes no more than 5-10 minutes, depending on the user’s preferences.

At the end, perform the font smoothing procedure using the “Clear Type” technology and you can complete the process. The monitor is now ready for everyday use.

Do calibration immediately after purchasing the device to maximize its potential in the future.

The monitor does not always reproduce colors perfectly. And it doesn’t matter whether it’s expensive or cheap. The monitor needs to be configured like other devices that are display media. Regular the adjustment consists from standard settings brightness, contrast, clarity, saturation and so on. But there are also other parameters displays, more subtle. If the computer is used for simple tasks in the office, then this is not necessary. But if you need to constantly work with graphics, then the color rendition must match the source material. This important parameter and calibrating the display, in this case, is necessary.

• You need to calibrate your monitor in 20 minutes after switching on, that is, after complete warming up.
• Before you start, you need reset all monitor parameters are the same as those that were set at the factory. If such a function is not provided in the monitor, then you will need a program wini2cddc. It is a trial and 30 day trial. After the reset it is not needed and will be uninstalled.
• If there were parameters changed, then you need to re-calibrate;
• If there are automatic Contrast and brightness adjustments should be made disable their;
• If there is no calibrator and calibration using the program fails, when working with images, you should save them originals.

Settings and image quality assessment

If the display has a matrix Low quality, then they can often be errors when colors are selected when committing processing pictures, photographs and layouts for printing, when creating websites and resources.

There is a special picture that allows you to evaluate the quality of the calibration. On both sides there are numbers from 1 to 5. So, if the calibration is more or less successful, then it should be visible from three digits, and if perfect, then all five are above and below. If settings bad, then 1-2.

You need to remember how many numbers are visible and adjust until the average or high level. You can also open the picture and customize based on it.

In order for the image to be clearly visible, first wipe the screen itself, so that nothing interferes or spoils the picture, and then adjust it.

Adjusting brightness and contrast

Brightness can also be configured using a special picture. On her, you need to make sure that the colors of the suit and shirt, which are black, didn't merge. That is, it was possible to distinguish where the jacket was and where the shirt was. There is also a cross in the background, it should be clearly visible.

Adjustment contrast makes it so that there are noticeable light colors, and their details are distinguishable.

There are folds and buttons in the image, so you need to choose the calibration so that they are clearly visible. Better this parameter install in zero position, and then little by little raise. If they start to disappear, then you need to reduce.

Gamma and Gray Adjustment

Gamma is an important parameter. However, not every monitor allows you to configure it properly. But we must try to bring it to ideal, that is, as best as possible. If she's set up qualitatively, then dark and light spots will not be visible in the center of the image.

Correct gray calibration will remove those colors shades, which make the display image worse. Adjustable three colors: red, blue and green. If the calibration is perfect, then there should be no third-party colors in the picture, only ideal grey colour.

Configuration programs

There are a lot of different applications for this, from the simplest to the most complex, with subtle calibration capabilities:

• Atrise Software LUTCurve – best utility with a lot of settings.
• Eberhard Werle QuickGamma – this program allows you to adjust colors and gamma.
• TFT Test 1.52– this program contains 12 pictures for setting up and comparing displays.

Instructions

In order to colors on monitor pleasing to our eyes, we need to calibrate the monitor. To do this, use the Adobe Gamma utility, which is a component Adobe Photoshop. But before you begin the process, you need to make sure that no other similar utilities are installed on your computer.

Having carried out this work, you can evaluate the result of the calibration. To do this, click “Next” and use the Before and After buttons to compare the image before and after calibration. The resulting profile must be saved, and the Adobe Gamma utility must not be deleted under any circumstances.

Adjusting the color rendering of the monitor is performed in order to improve the quality of the image received on the screen of the device. Settings can be changed by adjusting the monitor options and the operating system itself.

Adjusting the monitor image

Most modern monitors have their own menu that allows you to adjust the color rendering of data. However, the parameters configured through the built-in functionality may vary depending on the model and manufacturer of the screen. To adjust the brightness, contrast and color of the screen, press the Menu button on the monitor body and select the appropriate settings using function keys. You can find out more about the configuration options of the device in the instructions for use of the monitor, which was supplied in one set upon purchase. Make settings according to the instructions given in the brochure.

System Setup

To calibrate the colors displayed on the screen, you can use the Calibration application, which is available by default in Windows system. Go to the Start menu. Start typing the word “Calibration” in the “Search” field. In the list of results, select "Monitor Color Calibration" and press Enter. Follow the system's on-screen instructions to adjust your monitor's color display.

The best color rendition and maximum clarity of objects can be achieved by setting the optimal screen resolution for your monitor. Right-click on the desktop and select the “Screen Resolution” section. In the Resolution field, enter the maximum setting available for the screen and click Apply. After changing the resolution, you can also go to the Advanced Options section.

Go to the tab with the name of your video adapter (for example, Nvidia or Intel). Depending on the model of your video card, here you will also be able to see additional options for setting up the image transfer to the monitor. Click on the button Graphic characteristics" to see additional options.

Also, to ensure better color reproduction, it is advisable to activate 32-bit display graphic elements. To do this, go to the Start menu - Control Panel - Appearance and Personalization - Personalization - Display Settings. In the Color Quality field, select 32 bits and click OK to apply the changes.

If you adjust the image brightness on a laptop, you can use the menu “Control Panel” - “Hardware and Sound” - “Power Options”. Click on the “Customize power plan” link next to the energy saving plan you have chosen, and then move the “Adjust brightness” slider to the position that suits your requirements. Reducing the brightness can significantly increase the battery life of a laptop.

Setting up certain operating system parameters often raises questions from users personal computers who have just started working with Windows.

Instructions

Configure your operating system user profile settings by going to the Control Panel menu " Accounts" A large window should appear on your screen; select the settings item you want to change in it. Be careful, some of them contain not only settings that are clear from the name, but also some others that are responsible for similar functions.