Aspire 5745G Force VGA out to use dedicated GPU? [nV GT420M]

Hello,

This machine is up and running since 2011 @ 24x7 and still holding strong. Howver builtin screen has ran into issues recently and I managed to hook in up to an external display via D-SUB. Im not sure if I have wrong understanding of how optimus works, But im trying to figure out a way to use secondsry nvidia graphics for 2nd screen in real time. Is HDMI port built based on nvidia chip? Worst part of this is external display is running at native resolution of laptop (1336x768@60) lags games i used to play fine with laptop display. (NFS NW 05 @ lowest | 1024x768)

Speking of running external monitor with applications that are using non native resolution, apparently windows decides to "stretch" the whole program to full screen resulting annoying image. I tried picture settings in intel control panel but there is no option for "maintain aspect ratio" as in builtin display.

Please help! Thanks.

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JackE

>>>How[e]ver builtin screen has ran into issues recently >>>

Let's work on this first. What are the issues? Jack E/NJ

osandakj

JackE wrote:
>>>How[e]ver builtin screen has ran into issues recently >>>

Let's work on this first. What are the issues? Jack E/NJ
Hello, thanks for the reply and correcting that typo of course.

Well, let me put it this way. Right now, the built in screen has gray colored hairthin horizontal lines all over it. and weird glitchy/flashy sorta effect happens time to time right in the middle of the display. I guess its due to ribbon cable failure and its just a pain to look at. Before fetching an external monitor, I made sure these artifacts are not from GPU via remotely accessing through teamviewer and remote screen did not show any of those above problems.

This comes down to a point, "why not just replace?" well there are quite few reasons. First of all, its really bad 768p 40pin glossy tn panel which i probably won't see a point replacing on late 2017. Its just not upto todays standards since ips/high res/high refresh panels are available for dirt cheap. Other one being data privacy which i just prefer not to leave machine at service center with all data in it as some of my friends had nightmares doing that lately.

Moreover, the main issue of this thread (optimus not being utilized over vga) is apparently solved as I just confirmed via nvidia tray icon. However, the ability to run non native res applications (old 4:3 games) with black bars is still a missing feature in both windows diaplay settings as well as intel control panel. I highly appreciate if i can get more support regarding this. There has to be a workaround I suppose.

***Off topic***
Its clear that this machine is close to its lifespan as one by one each parts are failing. (not responsive keys, poor touchpad tracking, dead usb ports, dead optical drive etc) Therefore im looking at a brand new system purchase somewhere in early to mid next year when coffeelake 6 core chips (8700hq) comes to market as well as a pascal refresh hopefully.

Final words: When i purchased this laptop back in early 2011, everyone was like "don't get acer" and "build quality is terrible" but i gotta admit that these machines were built like tanks. its been almost 7 years and basic functionality is there and was running 24x7 since then with max dgpu oc. If someone reads this far of the message, I have to mention that im totally down to make another purchase from acer (specially that acer triton 700 with maxq gpu as long as it comes with 1060 and under $2000)

Now that's one of those rare chances that support thread turned into mini review but hopefully someone finds the information helpful and im still trying to solve that aspect ratio issue and hopefully have more information on upcoming acer products (thin n light powerful laptops) Looking forward to a reply. Have a great day!

JackE

>>> I guess its due to ribbon cable failure >>>

That'd be my guess too. Ribbon conductor traces are prone to cracking inside the hinge area. Cheap fix at less than $20 with free shipping from ebay or amazon. Or possibly its connectors simply need to be reseated a few times to clean the contacts. Know little about your gaming issues except for experimenting/tweaking the Windows and Optimus settings. Aspect ratios are often hardset by resolution choices. Jack E/NJ

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