Problem with display - new monitor - Windows 7 issue

Hi guys,
 
This is not related to music gear, but my decision to replace my 17 inches monitor (in a dual -monitor setup) was driven by SONAR X1 upgrade.  As it seems I can't get a clear reply anywhere else and as some of you use dual-monitor, you are in good position to get the picture/problem.
 
I have this new monitor (ACER P216H), 21.5 inches installed two day ago to replace my 17 inches.   PROBLEM : this new monitor recommended resolution (1920x1080) don't fill the screen - I get a 2 inches black stripe at right, and about 1/4 inch stripe on all other sides.  Only way to fill the screen is to go for 1440x900, which is no value added (compared to my previous 17 inches monitor).  I tought about returning the monitor and getting another brand, but 1) I am told this has nothing to do with monitor and 2) most new monitors default to 1920x1080 also. 
 
I was reading in a MS forum (message dating from a year ago...) that under VGA connection, one need to use the Catalyst 8.9 (my display adapter is ATI Radeon HD 5450) - drivers are latest, version of Catalyst is latest (10.12).  I am under Windows 7 x64 Pro.
 
Other monitor (1) is Viewsonic and resolution is 1650 x 1080 - no problem at all.  Connected through DVI.
I made sure to update monitor driver for the ACER P216H as it showed ''Generic PnP monitor'' previously, now it shows ''ACER P216H''. I *have* to connect this through VGA as my other one uses the DVI connector.

Is this still true that Windows 7 cannot display at 1920x1080 under VGA cable as I was reading in an old message (dated a year ago) here?  Can't believe this would be the case a year after !!

If there is no other solution, I am repacking this monitor and returning it as there's no added value for it to replace my old 17 inches which displayed at 1280 x 1080 or alike!! I gain no more real estate if I use lower resolution on this new one, and worse: I get a distorted image.

DONE:
- updated monitor driver
- checked that I have the latest display driver version (display adapter: ATI HD Radeon 5450 1GB)
- checked that I have the latest Catalyst software (10.12)
- played with refresh rate - of course not all resolutions work at every rate. If I raise the rate from 60 to 75, I am forced to 1280x1080 resolution and resulting image distortion again.
 
Any other suggestion ?
 
Thanks,
Rob
 
 

Just looked at your video card specs...

Option one:
Adjust width / height of display with VGA cable to remove "black areas" from the display itself... Like the old CRT days.

Option two:
If one of your displays has an HDMI input then use a HDMI cable from video card to it. Use DVI for the other.

Option three:
If neither displays support HDMI - get a HDMI to DVI converter. Then run both displays using DVI.

The reason for this is VGA is analogue, DVI is digital. The digital cable can 'automatically' adjust screen area to maximum - VGA can't, you have to do it manually, typically from the display itself.

     Hello... Windows 7... Windows XP... ATI and Nvidia cards/drivers both support Extended and Clone display modes... do a search on theses modes to further explain which one is right for you... but in short... Extended means you can extend the windows desktop either vertically or horizontally... your mouse pointer will move off one screen and continue to the next screen. Clone is just a duplicate screen on both monitors, at each own monitors resolution.
 
    You need to go into the Control Panels of either Windows and/or the ATI/Nvidia software to set these up... You need to "Identify you Monitors"... and set resolutions for each one... after that you can plug and play/turn on off monitors at will... and change display modes at will...
 
    Basically the VGA connector is an analog signal only... DVI connectors are digital and can have analog signal pins also... HDMI is digital and audio signals... there are variants to DVI and HDMI connectors... do a WIKI search for both for further explaination.
 
    I'm using an older model 8800 Nvidia card with dual DVI-I connectors... and use a DVI-I to HDMI 1.4a adapter to connect to my LCD TV... I can switch my TV input to HDMI and both Windows 7 and XP will imediately see my TV... as a monitor capable of 1080P... and display on it... and allowing me to switch to extended or clone mode on the fly... and thus having a computer monitor and TV both running at 1080p with this card... 1920x1080.
  
    I would suggest using a simple HDMI to DVI adapter plug in your case... I have found very good deals on EBAY for all types of plugs... and I would suggest that any basic video card you get should be dual DVI outputs... or DVI and HDMI at best, if you want to also send an audio signal out to a monitor or TV... Digital signals are the best way to go these days... get away from any use of VGA connectors, because newer monitors and video cards, will have to use more electronics to change a digital signal to analog, degrading or converting the original signal... after all... your computer data is Digital. 
  
    My searches for the the Radeon HD 5450 shows a VGA/DVI/HDMI connectors...  
 
    "The Radeon HD 5450 keeps Eyefinity support on select models, so if this is the feature you are looking for on a budget card, make sure your selected brand and model can support it. Like its higher-end variants in the 5000 series, you can hook up to three high resolution monitors (up to 2560x1600) to this board."
 
    My searches for the ACER P216H show both VGA and DVI inputs...
 
    Seems to me you have the right main parts to do Extended and Clone modes in Windows... you just need a HDMI to DVI Adapter... manually set your monitor to DVI input... and do an " Identify Monitor" software setup.