• What is the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature?
• Do I have the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature enabled on my computer?
• How do I enable the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature?
• I have the Custom Modes/Resolutions button. What are the difference between the two setup tabs?
• Related Topics

What is the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature?
It is a feature that allows an end-user to add custom modes for display devices attached to the computer. This feature is supported in Production Versions 14.34 and 15.9 and later versions of the Intel® Graphics Media Accelerator Driver.

A display mode is a set of data for providing a viewable image on a display. This data includes the active pixel resolution (width and height such as 800x600), corresponding refresh rate (such as 60Hz), and color depth (such as 16-bit).

Do I have the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature enabled on my computer?
To check if this feature is enabled, follow these steps:

1. Check whether you are using the PV15.9 or PV14.34 or later version of the Intel graphics driver. This feature is not available in previous driver versions. See Do I have the latest Intel graphics driver?

2. If you have verified that you are using a newer driver version, check the Intel Graphics Driver Properties window to see if the feature is available:
   
   
   1. Open the Intel Graphics Properties. This can be done through several different methods:

      Hot Key Method:

      Press Ctrl+Alt+F12 keys to open the Intel Graphics Driver Properties window.

      Desktop Menu Method:

      Right-click on the Windows* desktop and click Graphics Properties.

      System Tray Method:

      Locate the icon for the Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver in the system tray of the Windows* taskbar. System Tray is the area of the taskbar that displays the current time. In the System Tray area, right-click on the icon and then click Graphics Properties.

      Display Control Panel Method (Microsoft Windows* XP or 2000):

      1. Click on Start.
      2. Click Control Panel.
      3. Click Appearance and Themes and then Display (or click Classic View and then double-click on Display).
      4. Click the Settings tab.
      5. Click the Advanced button.
      6. Click the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver tab.
      7. Click the Graphics Properties button.

      Display Control Panel Method (Microsoft Windows Vista* and Windows* 7):

      1. Click on Start.
      2. Click Control Panel.
      3. Click on Appearance and Personalization and then Personalization (or click Classic View and then double-click on Personalization).
      4. Click Display Settings.
      5. Click Advanced Settings.
      6. Click the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator Driver tab.
      7. Click the Graphics Properties button.

   2. On the Display Devices tab, check if the Custom Modes button is available (see Figure 1, for newer drivers see Figure 1a). If you do not have a Custom Modes button, the Custom Modes Additional feature is not enabled on your computer.
      Note: On newer drivers, check if Custom Resolutions button is available (see Figure 1a).  If you do not have a Custom Resolutions button, the Custom Resolutions feature is not enabled on your computer.

   
   Figure 1: Custom Modes Button
   
   
   Figure 1a: Custom Resolutions Button
   

   
   

   How do I enable the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature?
   Contact your computer manufacturer to see whether support of the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature can be added. A computer manufacturer may not support the use of this feature.

   Use of the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature requires knowledge of your monitor’s supported timing standards and detailed timing parameters. This information must come from your monitor manufacturer.

   The appropriate timing standards or parameters must be used when adding a custom mode/resolution. Altering modes may reduce system stability and useful life of the system and chipset, cause the chipset and other system components to fail, cause reductions in computer performance, cause additional heat or other damage, and affect system data integrity. Intel has not tested, and does not warranty, the operation of the chipset beyond its specifications. To use the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature, the end-user must read and click Yes to a disclaimer warning message (see Figure 2, for newer drivers see Figure 2a).

   Note: Intel generic drivers do not enable the Custom Modes/Resolutions feature.

   
   Figure 2: Disclaimer Warning Message
   
   
   Figure 2a: Disclaimer Warning Message

   
   

   I have the Custom Modes/Resolutions button. What are the difference between the two setup tabs?
   To add a custom mode, use one of the two tabs depending on the amount of information you have regarding your monitor’s timing information:

   • Basic Setup/Settings tab (see Figure 3 & Figure 4, for newer drivers see Figure 3a): Allows you to add modes or timings based on existing standards like CVT non-RB timing (non-reduced blanking) for monitors and CVT RB timing for digital displays. This tab cannot be used with Standard or High Definition television.
   • Advanced Setup/Settings tab (see Figure 5, for newer drivers see Figure 5a): Allows modes or timings addition based on the display device’s detailed timing information. This tab cannot be used with Standard or High Definition television or a notebook’s built-in display.

   
   Figure 3: Example of the Basic Setup tab using an analog monitor with EDID
   
   
   Figure 3a: Example of the Basic Settings

   
   Figure 4: Example of the Basic Setup tab using the laptop’s built-in display

   
   Figure 5: Example of the Advanced Setup tab using an analog monitor with EDID
   
   
   Figure 5a: Example of the Advanced Settings

   
   

   Related Topic:
   Supported display modes and resolutions

This applies to:

Intel® 82946GZ Graphics Controller Intel® 82G965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 82Q963 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® 82Q965 Graphics and Memory Controller Hub (GMCH) Intel® G31 Express Chipset Intel® G33 Express Chipset Intel® G35 Express Chipset Intel® G43 Express Chipset Intel® G45 Express Chipset Intel® Q33 Express Chipset Intel® Q35 Express Chipset Mobile Intel® 4 Series Express Chipset Family Mobile Intel® 965 Express Chipset Family