On my previous laptop (Windows 7), I used an external monitor (HP 1907FP). The laptop was at the "bottom" of the desktop in landscape mode (running 1280x1024), while the external monitor was in portrait mode (1024x1280).

I just got my new laptop about a month ago (HP Envy 15), and now I'm running Windows 8. I can't get my external monitor to run in portrait mode anymore, although it does work in landscape (laptop on "bottom", external on "top").

I prefer running my external monitor in portrait mode since it means a lot less scrolling on webpages. I'm trying to figure out why I can't even get the option to come up to run the external in portrait. Windows gives me plenty of options for landscape resolutions, but none for portrait.

I'm not really sure where to start diagnosing the problem. Is this an issue with Windows 8? Is it with my laptop? Is it with the monitor? Any suggestions? Thanks!

3/12/2014 8:11:58 PM

This is what the Screen Resolution Dialog looks like in Windows 8/8.1:


If your graphics card supports it, there will be the orientation option there as shown above. I know this works for DVI, HDMI, VGA and Displayport connections.

Alternatively, if you have an AMD video card in the laptop, you can also do this through the Catalyst Control Center:


Or, for Intel based video you can do it in the Intel Graphics control panel:

3/12/2014 10:49:18 PM

...but what about Nvidia?

3/13/2014 12:43:54 AM

So perhaps my Intel Graphics are lame? I don't have a rotation option shown on my screen.



[Edited on March 13, 2014 at 9:52 AM. Reason : ]

3/13/2014 9:48:57 AM

Did you try to do it through windows?

3/13/2014 2:39:27 PM

In Windows, my options for the resolution range from "1280 x 1024 (Recommended)" to "1024 x 768". Out of the 6 options, they're all landscape options. Nothing portrait. And no option to rotate the display either.



[Edited on March 13, 2014 at 5:16 PM. Reason : ]

3/13/2014 5:14:05 PM

What's in the customize aspect ratio option?

3/14/2014 8:51:21 AM

Weird. I've got an Orientation drop down there.

3/14/2014 9:39:28 AM

Have you checked that your drivers are all up to date?

3/14/2014 11:01:46 AM

You need newer drivers, try downloading the latest from HP. If that doesn't work, get the latest from Intel.com directly. If neither of those work, then either the video card doesn't support it at all, or it doesn't support it at that resolution.

Honestly, why are you even bothering on a 4:3 monitor?

3/15/2014 12:13:12 AM