New monitor resolution problem.

[jcmack13]

Just got a Samsung 990DF monitor capable of 1600x1200 resolution and higher and hooked it up to my gf's laptop, which she is letting me use because mine just died. However, the maximum resolution I can set it on is 1280x1024. Is this a problem with her laptop's video card, or am i a n00b moran and there is an easy way to fix this?

Sorry if this gets asked a lot. the latpop is a Dell Inspiron 2650 if that's any help. Thanks.

[Eratosthenes]

That is probably the maximum resolution of the laptop. 1280 is where the midpriced or few years old laptops top out. There is nothing practical that you can do to increase the resolution of the laptop. The last laptop I had was 1024xwhatever max on the built in screen and 1280xwhatever max on the external.

You are trying to set the res with only the external monitor enabled, right?

[jcmack13]

both monitors are enabled, but I have the same conditions as you. the max resolution for the laptop's screen is 1024x768 and 1280x1024 for the external monitor. I guess I'll have to wait until my new computer arrives to use 1600x1200 in all its glory...