How to Modify the Video Refresh Frequency in the Registry (216166)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Workstation 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP1
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP2
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP3
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server 4.0 SP4
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0
  • Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition 4.0 SP4
This article was previously published under Q216166
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about modifying the registry. Before you modify the registry, make sure to back it up and make sure that you understand how to restore the registry if a problem occurs. For information about how to back up, restore, and edit the registry, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

256986 Description of the Microsoft Windows Registry

SUMMARY

Some video drivers for Windows NT may not support the Refresh Frequency box feature on the Settings tab in the Display Properties dialog box. However, you can control this setting using a Windows NT registry value.

MORE INFORMATION

WARNING: If you use Registry Editor incorrectly, you may cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that you can solve problems that result from using Registry Editor incorrectly. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

To change the monitor refresh rate using a registry value:
  1. Click Start, click Run, type regedt32, and then click OK.
  2. On the Windows menu, click HKEY_LOCAL_ MACHINE on Local Machine.
  3. Double-click the 

    System\CurrentControlSet\HardwareProfiles\Current\System\CurrentControlSet\Services
    folder. Double-click the folder for your video driver (for example, if you have a video display adapter that is based on the S3 chip set, double-click the S3 folder), and then click the Device0 folder.
  4. If there is no DefaultSettings.Vrefresh value, go to step 5. If there is an existing DefaultSettings.Vrefresh value, double-click the value and then type a numerical setting (from the table below) that is supported by your monitor in the Data box, and then click OK. Go to step 7.
  5. If the value does not exist, click Add Value on the Edit menu, type DefaultSettings.Vrefresh, click REG_DWORD in the Data Type box, and then click OK.
  6. Type 3c in the Data box, click Hex, and then click OK.
  7. Quit Registry Editor, and then restart the computer.

NOTE: The refresh frequency must be specified in hexadecimal. Refer to the table below for common monitor refresh rates and their equivalent hexadecimal values.

Refresh Rate (in MHz)

Decimal Hexadecimal
5032
5537
603c
6541
7046
754b
8050
8555
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/14/2003
Keywords:kbdisplay kbenv kbhowto KB216166
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