VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Odd issue with my SB, whenever i connect an external monitor via VGA i get these almost imperceptible but definitely there thin grey lines on the external screen (the laptop's display is unaffected.) I can minimize the issue by cranking up refresh rates over 80 on the external screen but i can't make the lines disappear completely. I've tested this on 3 different screens and its consistent. HDMI output seems fine. I've also tried going to the monitor's DVI inputs using an adapter (thinking it might just be a badly shielded VGA connection but that didn't work.) I'm considering returning the computer but i wanted to know if any other SB owners had this issue, in which case i'll return it and look for another machine altogether.



I've got the i7 with the 6630m.

Reply 1 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Quote:

Originally Posted by euchrid_eucrow Odd issue with my SB, whenever i connect an external monitor via VGA i get these almost imperceptible but definitely there thin grey lines on the external screen (the laptop's display is unaffected.) I can minimize the issue by cranking up refresh rates over 80 on the external screen but i can't make the lines disappear completely. I've tested this on 3 different screens and its consistent. HDMI output seems fine. I've also tried going to the monitor's DVI inputs using an adapter (thinking it might just be a badly shielded VGA connection but that didn't work.) I'm considering returning the computer but i wanted to know if any other SB owners had this issue, in which case i'll return it and look for another machine altogether. I've got the i7 with the 6630m.

Did this get sorted out????



I'm thinking of getting the SB and using it quite often with an external monitor. So this would def be a deal-breaker. Anyone else seen this issue?



This might be a long-shot.. but are the lines kind of vibrating... and do they only show up when the screen is displaying darker colors? That happened to me with a different laptop, and the reason turned out to be electronic interference due to a grounding issue. See if the lines go away when you unplug your laptop from the charger (or the charger from the wall socket).

Reply 2 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Quote:

Originally Posted by rezendevous Did this get sorted out???? I'm thinking of getting the SB and using it quite often with an external monitor. So this would def be a deal-breaker. Anyone else seen this issue? This might be a long-shot.. but are the lines kind of vibrating... and do they only show up when the screen is displaying darker colors? That happened to me with a different laptop, and the reason turned out to be electronic interference due to a grounding issue. See if the lines go away when you unplug your laptop from the charger (or the charger from the wall socket).

I run an external monitor through VGA and have no problems like the TS. But I am not able to find out how to run my Samsung TFT on native, the Vaio doesnt let me go over 1024x768. Still have to figure out.

Reply 3 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Quote:

Originally Posted by poma I run an external monitor through VGA and have no problems like the TS. But I am not able to find out how to run my Samsung TFT on native, the Vaio doesnt let me go over 1024x768. Still have to figure out.

Is this tft one that allows renaming of inputs? I've seen Samsung displays that would only work right with a PC input when you actually named the input "PC".

Reply 4 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Thanks for the input vinneh.



No, it is a Samsung Syncmaster 940BF. Couldnt find any drivers online unfortunately. But thing is, my Acer Timeline-X (2010) has no problems with it at all. Native resolution is working perfectly well with it.



I saw that Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel lets you set your own res. but gives a warning about stability issues and damage it can cause. Honestly then I prefer not to put a custom res. Need to check that out further, but couldnt find any info on it yet. I am also bit surprised this is an Intel tool, though I am using the Radeon (Speed) at the moment.

Reply 5 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Quote:

Originally Posted by rezendevous Did this get sorted out???? I'm thinking of getting the SB and using it quite often with an external monitor. So this would def be a deal-breaker. Anyone else seen this issue? This might be a long-shot.. but are the lines kind of vibrating... and do they only show up when the screen is displaying darker colors? That happened to me with a different laptop, and the reason turned out to be electronic interference due to a grounding issue. See if the lines go away when you unplug your laptop from the charger (or the charger from the wall socket).

Thanks for the suggestion (i'll look into it next time i'm near one of my external monitors.) I was wondering if it might be interference as well, though its the first time any of my laptops have had an issue like this. I've found that the lines go away if i up the contrast on the monitor by 2pts. Well "go away" is probably inaccurate, they're most likely still there and can almost be seen if i look for them hard enough but they've been contrasted out.



I'm in a position where i need the computer now and can live with it but i might end up sending it in for service a couple of months down the road.

Reply 6 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

Quote:

Originally Posted by poma Thanks for the input vinneh. No, it is a Samsung Syncmaster 940BF. Couldnt find any drivers online unfortunately. But thing is, my Acer Timeline-X (2010) has no problems with it at all. Native resolution is working perfectly well with it. I saw that Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel lets you set your own res. but gives a warning about stability issues and damage it can cause. Honestly then I prefer not to put a custom res. Need to check that out further, but couldnt find any info on it yet. I am also bit surprised this is an Intel tool, though I am using the Radeon (Speed) at the moment.

It is a little odd to have the Intel panel come up even when you're on speed but if ATI hybrid graphics are anything like Nvidia, everything is actually run through the intel chip. Or rather it's the intel chip that's actually connecting to the VGA and HDMI outputs, which is why I believe we need hybrid graphic driver packages as opposed to just being able to install the intel driver while on "stamina," and the ATI driver while on "speed" seperately. Though i could be wrong.

Reply 7 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

I need to do a research on the Intel Graphics and Media Control Panel. For now I wrote Sony, lets see what they say. Will keep you posted, maybe the things are somehow connected.

Reply 8 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

I'm not sure if this is the case, but maybe the VGA output on the SB only runs on the Intel integrated card? (Kinda like how if you want HDMI output on the Vaio Z you need to be on the Nvidia card). I dunno maybe try outputting on VGA in stamina mode? (or just get an HDMI cable...)

Reply 9 : VGA output issue - Vaio SB

I would have used HDMI if the Monitor supported it The guess with the VGA might be right, but still it doesnt give me higher resolution in stamina either. Just the custom resolution-settings, which I fear could break something.