Why does it always switch to 60hz??
 

Interesting problem. I set my desktop resolution in Windows XP to 1024 X 768 X 16-bit color, and I set the refresh rate for the display adapter (in Display Properties, Advanced, Monitor tab, Screen Refresh Rate) to 76Hz.

I set the Aquarium to use the desktop resolution. It goes into 1024 X 768 X 16-bit color, at 60Hz every time. I know because my monitor has a little LCD display on it that tells me this.

This of course has two undesirable effects:
1. There is a delay and black screen while my monitor switches refresh rates.
2. A 60Hz refresh rate produces noticeable flicker.

What's going on?

Oh, by the way, I have an ASUS GeForce 256.

FYI. I have a Geforce2MX and it doesn't do this - it keeps the refresh. I use 1152x864 at 100.

Run DXDIAG, use the More Help tab, and click the Override button. Set the Refresh Rate to whatever you want.

That did it. Thanks, Jim.

Definately something to add to my FAQ.

You can always use Nvidia Refresh Rate Fix. It works great!

The only problem with overriding the refresh rate in the Dxdiag is that it will use that refresh rate for all resolutions. I like to run the highest refresh rate for any given resolution. :p

Where might I find nVidia Refresh Rate Fix? Never seen that anywhere. Thanks.

http://www.planetquake.com/ztn/nvreffix/

It works well, but I still believe it should not be a requirement. nVidia & Microsoft absolutely should have fixed this basic win 2k issue long before XP appeared.

Thanks, I'll give it a try.

BladeRunner,

You are absolutely correct. Who ever was responsable for this everlasting bug should have fixed it a long time ago.

When people shell out 400.00USD for a video card and buy an OS for 99.00+USD, they should not have to deal with such an old and well known issue.

It makes me sick when ever I think about it. :hmad:

Its not a bug. Microsoft has requirements as to how hardware interfaces with software..and in this case, because of their strict code for stability and such in a Windows NT based system, they don't allow the hardware to pump up the refresh rate higher than 60htz in games/screensavers/etc so that a monitor wouldn't get damaged if it switched to another resolution during a DX call.

I read that on the web in another forum hehe :)

Anyways.. yeah, setting the refresh rate with DXDIAG fixes DirectX, but OpenGL will still be at 60htz. Use the mentioned Nvidia Refresh Rate Fix program to correct all scenarios.

:)

Since when does Microsoft care about anything.

Bottom line, it is a piece of CAKE to poll the drivers and hardware to see what refresh rates it supports. M$ are just too lazy to do it here.

They should be more worried about giving people migraine headaches with 60 Hz refresh.

Exactly! Headaches or eye damage over extended use. I still see it as a bug myself. but Then again I once thought I had a bad computer Virus but realised it was Windows 98 :)

If this is just an intentional idiot fix, then I don't want it. I have a monitor that supports 140hz at 1024/768 32, a VGA that supports this and the correct drivers and monitor INF the I don't want MS spoon feeding me 60hz.

Surely if you do have all the correct drives installed this 60hz thing should not be required, but it is. Does this happen with other cards BTW because I thought it was just a Nvidia / Geforce thing? Can't say I've noticed a Radeon refresh fix utill?

Either way there should be an advanced driver option, (or a registry Key switch), not just the requirement of a 3rd party unsupported piece of software required to sort it out.