The Hobbit (2003) stuck in low resolution on 32" TV monitor (was Windows 8 and Games)

Hi, everyone!

I recently got a new Windows 8.1 pc, and It can play The Hobbit (2003) but it's set and stuck in the lowest resolution. When I try to change the games resolution, the PC just goes to a black screen (or my TV/Monitor default no input/source blue screen) and won't do anything. I end up having to go through a flashing black screen just to end the task through task manager (After ending the task, the PC returns to normal). So anyway, Does anyone know a way to change the resolution with out it playing up?

NOTE: My TV/Monitor is 32" (Yeah, I know that's big, but I use it as a TV for many other things as well (TV channels, Xbox 360, PS2, e.t.c) and the PC resolution is set to 1360 x 768.

Thanks!

to GameBoomers, scarend.

This is indeed an older thread - you might wish to try posting your question as a new topic here in our technical support forum so as to make sure that it doesn't get overlooked.

I do monitor this thread, but I agree with Marian. I am able to play The Hobbit with no issues at all on my Windows 8.1 computer, but with a 22" monitor with 1680 x 1050 resolution. My monitor has a setting where it adjusts to the resolution the GAME needs to play properly; then it reverts back to the native resolution of 1680 x 1050. I suspect therein lies the problem. I don't remember what the game needs, but I will check. In the meantime, I would suggest also posting in the Glitches forum just in case one of the moderators there has an answer for you.

Moved posts to make a new thread.

Alright, thanks guys.

I've posted it here: http://www.gameboomers.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/979936#Post979936
Is that the right place?

MaG moved your post right here to the main Glitches forum for you! I will try to get time to check on that screen resolution in the game today.

Oh, oops sorry. Where can I find that post? And thanks.
Oh I see... I understand now... It's located here, as in right here... Sorry I'm new to all this Forum stuff, well at least I'm new to this forum of course.

No problem.. we've all been new at one time or another!

Anyway, I just loaded my Hobbit game up from the disk. In the Options menu, I selected video and there are no less than 20 screen resolutions listed to choose from. They start at 640 x 480 and go all the way up to 1400 x 1050.

The first question is what kind of video card is this monitor connected to? I'm assuming this huge monitor is connected to your computer? If it's connected to integrated graphics, the graphics in your computer may not be able to handle the changes you're trying to make.

It's also possible the monitor simply may not like the commands coming from this old game. I'm assuming you're trying to change the resolution from within the game options? Have you tried changing the resolution in the monitor itself to match one of the game resolution options?

I do believe my graphics are built into the CPU, which is why I am saving for an actual GPU. So that could be the issue. I will try to see if I can change the monitor or the PC's resolution to the game and see if that makes an improvement. Thanks.

I can't change the monitors resolution, and I can only lower the PC's resolution to 1024 x 768, which does seem to possibly make a bit of an improvement to the visual quality. Thanks, and it could be like you said with the graphics, I intend to save and get a good GPU within a year. I'll be sure to see if it works then for sure. Is there any other methods that could help at the current time though?

Oh, and just saying, no matter what resolution I change the in game resolution to, the same thing happens. It set to lowest resolution and doesn't seem to want to change. :/

EDIT: Also, I tried switching my PC to 1024 x 768 and then setting the game to 1024 x 768, but that didn't work either. Still crashed.

To me, it sounds like your integrated graphics is simply not up to the task.

All right then, thanks.
The graphics probably aren't agreeing with the old-ish game very well. I say this because I know the graphics get along with many other games.
Thanks anyway.

It's hard telling. I have a fairly high end gaming system I built last year with an overclocked GTX 660Ti video card and it's rendering the graphics perfectly on my Windows 8.1 system.

Who knows! Maybe Jenny or Inland will have some other ideas for you.

All right, thanks Draclvr.

I'm going to rename this thread to something more appropriate, since it doesn't seem to have anything to do with Windows 8, and is more to do with being stuck in low resolution on a 32" TV monitor using onboard graphics.

My guess is that the onboard graphics can't support anything over the lowest resolution. But if you're using Intel graphics there is also the possibility of a lack of compatibility (especially backwards compatibility with a game from 2003).

You can find what graphics your computer is using by running dxdiag.


The listed specs I found online for "The Hobbit" say the game needs 32MB of video memory. That's not much, but some onboard graphics have no dedicated memory at all and only have "shared."

Without full graphics compatibility, the game and monitor may be defaulting to the lowest settings.

I have no experience with either TV monitors or this particular game, however my experience with Intel graphics has been nearly all bad -- even some casual games have to be windowed to be playable.

I wouldn't be surprised if your problem disappears after you install a new graphics card. Just be sure to get one that is competent for playing games, like the one Draclvr uses.

I think when MaG moved this post out of the Windows 8 and Games thread, the thread title came with it. Scarend says other games are playing OK on this setup - I would be curious to know what games those are??