Resolution change feature

[Yvonus]

Hi there

As I've been talking about this with Ron and tested it yesterday, I'm writing a few lines to remind the reader about the ways to use this and a few advanced issues.

To trigger such an operation, you have to select the "OS" tab, then "Change resolution". You'll then have a pulldown menu with a list of resolutions. Just select one, "Apply" and you're done.

This resolution list is (in 3.0.20) the safe/official list reported by Windows at the time Girder is launched. This is the list available in the Display>Properties of your machine. It allows for safe resolutions changes.

Dualhead Matrox users ; keep in mind that when enabling any of the dualhead modes, the set of available resolutions is very reduced. Especially custom made resolution created by Powerstrip for instance won't appear.

If you're aware of the involved side effects, you can create an action with a custom resolution while dualhead is not activated and use it while back in dualhead mode. The resolution you'll have chosen will still be saved into the command.

[BuzzLightner]

I know I've asked this before, but nothing has been mentioned about it for a while:

I manage about 16 PC for the company I work for. I've been using Girder at home for my HTPC and recently I've been using it at work on the lan. I cannot get the 'resolution change' feature to work. It changes the resolution fine, but it doesn't resize the task bar. I'm using win98SE but I've tested this on Win98 and Win95B and they all do the same thing. I'm in the US so I guess my versions of the Microsoft Operating systems are the same as everyone else in the world (except for language of course). Hopefully, someone besides myself has had this problem or would do some testing.

Also, I was previously asked if I was using somesort of custom desktop or shell, and the answer is no. I even tried do a clean install by formating drive C:, installing win98se off the CD-Rom, then installing girder and testing the change resolution feature...same exact problem, the task bar doesn't resize like it does if you change the resolution manually by going throug display properties or the system tray shortcut.

Anyway, Girder is still very useful both in a HTPC setting and in an Office LAN setting. I just thought I'd bring this one up again since it still haunts me.

-buzz

[Ron]

Hi Buzz,

Well i windows finally decided to show me
this bug too. I haven't found a solution
yet but finding it is always the first step.

-Ron

[Yvonus]

Adding my 2 cents to concur that I've got the same side effect of the taskbar. It was previously mentionned on the egroup but as Ron couldn't reproduce it ... no fix.

Ron is going to quickly fix that one I'm sure of that ;)

[Yvonus]

Tried it again yesterday and ... failed :(
I'm using the a dualhead with tv-out and I'm using a standard resolution for tv output (tv out is available only with those) and 16x9 one for the projector.

I previsouly did a multicommand with "TVout desktop" and "16/9 desktop" .. both show "Change resolution" with "640x480 32bpp" and "890x500 32bpp" but can't make those work :(

I ended using Powerdesk hotkey features to switch between the two pre-registered types of desktop :(

It seems like when I did a "Test command", the bottom status bar showed "Can't change mode", does this help ?

[Ron]

I you programmed the resolutions before
you switched to dual mode, its possible
that windows can no longer switch to the
mode of your choice. This probably because
the 'offical' girder version will only switch
to allowed resolutions. If you want to try
a version that does not have this limitation
let me know.

Ron

[Ron]

I've found the Resolution change bug
that cause the taskbar not to resize
and it is fixed in the upcoming Pre6
version.

Also the pre6 version will be available
in 2 version, 1 with all resolutions
and 1 with the safe resolutions.


Pre6 should arrive tonight ( i hope )
-Ron

[Yvonus]

Another messed up thread :(

When dualhead is enabled, then the Display>Properties allows a limited set of resolutions.

However, Powerdesk allows you to switch between pre-saved desktop and I can then change resolution (but tv-out is disabling itself when a non standard resolution is selected)

So dualhead mode is always activated but I had to turn it off to create the "16x9 Resolution" command with Girder. That's all.

So the issue of safe/all resolutions available is not so mandatory with this workaround. However, it doesn't work so ;)

[Ron]

Let me try to explain,

Girder does not memorise the selected
resolution and frequency, Girder memorises
the position in the list. And as you
know that list changes when you go
to dualhead or non-dualhead. I know this
isn't the best way to go, but it works
for most users.

Thus by having a Girder that displays
all possible resolutions all the time this
problem should be fixed.

Regards,
Ron

[Yvonus]

Ok got it ! As Girder kept on showing in the action tab "Change Resolution > <whatever-resolution>", I thought it was still okay.

With the "index-in-current-possible-resolutions" implementation choice, I easily understand what's happening. The check that the resolution (or index) is valid is an added thing that prevents me from doing what I want in my (uncommon) situation.

[Ron]

I've release Girder 3.0.21 with the extended resolution list. You can find it on the external download page.

Additional Girder files (http://hyperion.spaceports.com/~girder/)

Or via the "Additional Girder files" link on the download page.

-Ron

[Yvonus]

Whhoops, didn't work :(

If was in dualhead mode of course and I quickly searched through the resolution list to find my "favorite" 890x500 resolution. It wasn't there :(

I'm not sure now that I also saw "risky" resolutions .. what I'm sure is that I could not see this 890x500. I can see it if dualhead is not on.

Ron ; only Matrox control panel, in this mode, will show you that this resolution exists. May be there's no easy system call "I_want_all_resolutions_even_the_ones_forbideen"

Do as you want Ron, as the taskbar bug seems to be fixed (haven't tested it myself), the feature is as everyone expects. My dualhead-specific issue is not so important. I can use Girder to send the required alt+<whatever> trickey combination to Powerdesk.

[Ron]

No extra resolutions are displayed,
hmm thats weird, I just redownloaded
this version and saw that i left a debug
box in there, did you also see that ?
If not you are still using the standard
girder version.

Did you see your special resolution in
the executable I sent you before ?

-Ron

[Yvonus]

I saw the dialog box ...

I think I saw more resolutions available (higher ones) but none of the "weird" ones I've created who do appear when dh is not activated.

I haven't tried any special executable for that previously. We talked about it sunday evening Ron but I hadn't time to download a fresh compilation from you.

I have quite no idea what makes a resolution appear or not in different contexts.