Old CRT Refresh Rate Issues

smcelroy86 · 10 Oct 2015

Hello everyone, just built a new PC after about 7 years and I'm coming from XP64. Although I plan on purchasing a new monitor soon I am still using my old ViewSonic G90f CRT. With XP I used ReForce to use refresh rates of 120hz in 640x480/800x600 and 100hz in 1024x768/1152x864. In Windows 10 I can only select between 75 and 85hz, when I use nvidia control panel and attempt to increase refresh it claims frequency is over range. Odd that it worked fine in XP for over 7 years. I do not have any drivers and I assume there probably aren't any available for 10. Is there any fix for this or am I stuck with 85hz until I update monitors? Thanks.

Sean M - Chicago, IL

Rocky · 10 Oct 2015

It sounds like a hardware issue and not a software issue. Have you tried to load XP on your new computer to determine that it is in fact a software issue?

Kanata · 10 Oct 2015

This may be a Windows 10 issue in that it will not work with all the refresh rates despite the hardware having the capability to operate that way. I think you may find it difficult to get a workaround, so I would get that new monitor sooner rather than later (and be amazed at the difference !).
Failing this, there is also a utility called CRU (Custom Resolution Utility) that may help. You may have to play with different resolutions. But first make sure your drivers are up to date.

bobkn · 11 Oct 2015

Is the monitor recognized in Device Manager?

If not (a generic monitor is all that is listed), there's some chance that downloading and installing the monitor's "drivers" may help. (I use the quotes because they're really just a description of the monitor's parameters. They don't drive anything.)

popeye · 11 Oct 2015

Honest answer, expecting such old hardware to work with a new OS is expecting a lot. I don't have 10, don't want it, but would not expect such old stuff to work well with it.

Has a lot to do with video drivers also. Maybe your graphics card doesn't know how to handle it.

spapakons · 15 Oct 2015

Click on the search icon and type Device Manager. Click to open it and expand Monitors. It should be Generic PnP Monitor. If it is something else, right-click on it and select Update drivers. Choose last option every time until Windows display a list with models. In Standard monitor types find and select Generic PnP monitor. If you cannot see it, uncheck the Show compatible hardware box to see all available models. Install it and now you should be able to choose any resolution compatible with your monitor. You shouldn't need it, but you can also set custom resolutions and display settings with PowerStrip. Not sure if it works in Windows 10, but you could try.