Contrast expanders?

07-11-2004, 19:44

Does any one know where I can find a program that can turn the contrast up on my graphics card? I don't have the option in my drivers since changing to the 3D Blaster MX 440 drivers (which my graphics card actually is, so now I have Vertex Shader version 1.1 and it WORKS) and my monitor is far too dark (it's the monitor thats got lower contrast as it's old, and it's on max)

Thanks in advance

Graham M · 07-11-2004, 22:38

Have you tried getting the latest Nvidia Dentanator drivers from www.nvidia.com ?

07-11-2004, 23:00

No, those drivers remove capabilities from my card as it's not an original NVidia card. Creative added extra functions to the card, such as Vertex Shaders version 1.1 and I want to keep these as it looks cool in UT 2004.

Just found a program that has turned up the brightness, will have to ask my parents for a new monitor

Graham M · 07-11-2004, 23:24

Get a new graphics card first

07-11-2004, 23:32

are you absolutely sure there are no settings available in the driver - 'gamma' for example changes the view?

07-11-2004, 23:36

Quote:

Originally Posted by homealone

are you absolutely sure there are no settings available in the driver - 'gamma' for example changes the view?

Nope. Only ones to change the "video out". Tried them just incase, didn't work.

Matth · 08-11-2004, 00:08

Can you post a screenshot of that control panel section - it may be an option that can be enabled using "coolbits" or "coolbits 2" registry tweak files.

Creative could not do anything which changes the hardware capabilities of the Nvidia chipset.

I have a vague recollection that the NV18B chip - (second version of the AGP 8x chip) - possibly in Mx440 AGP 8x or MX4000, may have a Vertex shader engine

Richard M · 08-11-2004, 07:19

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

No, those drivers remove capabilities from my card as it's not an original NVidia card. Creative added extra functions to the card, such as Vertex Shaders version 1.1...

No they didn't - the GPU is made by NVidia not Creative and will be exactly the same as every other MX400/MX440.

bob_a_builder · 08-11-2004, 07:36

contrast is always one of the 1st things to go on a monitor as old age creeps on
a new monitor is cheaper than a lot of the new graphic card options
17" < ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£70 nowadays

Ebuyer
GNR CM1772FS 17ins Monitor FST 0.27dpi (VL770) ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£57.29 ÃƒÆ’Ã†â€™ÃƒÂ¢Ã¢â€šÂ¬Ã…Â¡ÃƒÆ’Ã¢â‚¬Å¡Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â£67.32 inc VAT

Paul K · 08-11-2004, 07:47

Sorry Scott I would have to agree with the majority of people here, try new drivers. You may have to try a couple of different versions to see which are better for you but as long as you remove the drivers correctly prior to installing new ones then you should regain control over the settings you require.
It may be that your monitor could be failing but it's easy to try a couple of different driver versions first just to be safe (it's also cheaper lol)

08-11-2004, 08:38

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard M

No they didn't - the GPU is made by NVidia not Creative and will be exactly the same as every other MX400/MX440.

Well, I can take an SS if you want showing that the NVidia drivers removed Vertex Shaders and 2 other supported capabilities.

The program I found seem to be working well, I just hope it stays working well

jtwn · 08-11-2004, 11:54

http://www.omegadrivers.net/

Maybe you can get the settings working through these drivers.

08-11-2004, 12:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by jtwn

http://www.omegadrivers.net/

Maybe you can get the settings working through these drivers.

Already tried them. Still didn't give me the extra capabilities as the Creative drivers do.

At college at the moment, so can't do anything until I get back (which should be around 4:45)

Richard M · 08-11-2004, 21:05

Quote:

Originally Posted by Scott

Well, I can take an SS if you want showing that the NVidia drivers removed Vertex Shaders and 2 other supported capabilities.

AFAIK the MX4x0 do have very, very basic vertex shaders but this is no Shader Model 3.0 here (or even 1.1 for that matter).
I don't know where exactly you're getting this info from though because even DirectX Diag won't tell you your Shader Model.

keithwalton · 08-11-2004, 21:31

isnt that what they used to call hardware TnL. (Transform and lighting) before it became true tnl aka nfinite fx on the nvidia line of cards. run 3dmark 01 and see what it says and if it makes the blindist bit of difference. As for creative doing somthing different its unlikely but not imposible as they make there boards to reference design. Although they did do a clever trick of enableing glide on a tnt before (glide was a 3dfx only thing)

K