Introduction
This program is a UNIVERSAL and PERMANENT fix for the Windows 2000/XP refresh rate problem (whereas games run at lower refresh rates than possible, thus causing headaches, eye strain etc.). It works with ANY monitor (including the Plug & Play ones), and ANY graphics card!
Quick Start
- Run the ReForce.exe file as you do any other file/program.
- Select your monitor in the combo box at the top of the window, if it is not selected already. In the same box, the program should also be able to tell you at a glance if your monitor is [ACTIVE] or not, and give you a helpful ID code, which is useful when identifying the Plug & Play monitors.
- You should now get a prompt saying that you have not customized any modes. So, select your display adapter and let the program fill the table for you.
- You may now adjust the frequencies/resolutions if you wish (mostly used with the Plug & Play monitor drivers), by double-clicking on the appropriate cell in the table. Please note, that if you create a mode that Windows does not like, that resolution will be disabled for use by that graphics card. Some examples of well-known display frequencies are listed below. *Never* set your monitor above what it is documented to handle. If you do, you may damage it permanently! For added safety, never set a resolution's frequency above what RefreshForce detected it to be the first time you ran it. If you're not sure, restore the monitor's backup, and start over.
- Click Apply when you are finished, and enjoy!
TV Support
If you use TV-Out and you find that it is not working with the higher frequencies when you optimize the monitor connected to the same card, you will need to manually go to the RefreshForce resolution table, find the resolution that matches what you want to use on the TV, and change it's frequency to 60Hz.
Frequency Notes
If you choose to select display frequencies yourself and do not know which frequencies your display adapter supports, try the following frequencies (be careful not to go over what your monitor supports in that resolution):
Frequently Asked Questions
- Q: RefreshForce did not have any effect, why?
- A: Make sure you powered on your PC with the monitor switched on, otherwise you'll be locked at 60Hz. If you did that, verify that 'Hide modes this monitor cannot display' is checked in Start Button > Control Panel > Display Properties > 'Settings' Tab > 'Advanced' Button > 'Monitor' Tab.
- Q: I cannot get over 120Hz, or the above method did not work, why?
- A: Some graphics cards' 'Use DDC' (Display Data Channel) abilities can interfere with setting high monitor frequencies, so turn that option off in the same Display Control Panel applet if your graphics card supports it.
- Q: It still doesn't work?!
- A: The last resort to this problem is reinstalling your graphics card drivers. That really should fix the problem.
- Q: I want to use 85Hz for all modes! Can I?
- A: YES! Not a problem! Just change all the frequencies to 85Hz and you're done! As always don't set your monitor, for example, to 85Hz at 1600x1200 if it can only handle 75Hz at 1600x1200.
- Q: I want a temporary fix that doesn't change anything on my system, or something that works on Windows 95/98/98SE/Me/NT! Where can I get it?
- A: Download my other refresh program, RefreshLock. It's free as well, works on all 32-bit Windows systems, and has heaps of other clever features! You can get it here.
Safe Mode
If in the unlikely event you find your monitor picture is unreadable when you start your PC, here is how to restore RefreshForce's settings:
- Hold F8 when your computer starts.
- Boot into Safe Mode.
- Log on as an Administrator if necessary.
- Run RefreshForce.
- Select your monitor and click 'Restore original settings'.
- Reboot.
If you do not understand any of this, I advise you switch off your PC & monitor, and get a computer knowledgable person to help you.
I really hope this little program makes your gaming pleasure that bit smoother,
and don't forget, it's FREEWARE, so give it to anyone you want!
Kindest regards, Gregory Maynard-Hoare
E-Mail Me|
RefreshForce Homepage (Main)|
RefreshForce Homepage (Backup site)
Any e-mails of appreciation would be recieved with many thanks!
Version History
- V1.00 (01 Jul 2002) : First public release.
- V1.10 (27 Jul 2002) : Removed polarity settings (they now automate via the VGA standard), added detection of monitors that are active, extra safety for 'Default Monitor's, replaced the .txt file help with HTML, and made various other improvements.
Credits
- Borland for Delphi 4.0 (which I used to write this program)
- Markus Oberhumer & Laszlo Molnar for UPX (to compress the EXE)
- Graham Allen & Tom White for the donated web space!
- ...and finally, thanks to YOU for using this program!
Copyright © 2002 Gregory Maynard-Hoare. All Rights Reserved.