Forcing VGA resolution when moving to Cabinet

[grendelrt]

So I have my computer all set up for my cabinet and set the resolution to 640x480 and connected it. Problem is when I disconnect from my monitor to move to the cabinet, the graphics card detects that it is a different monitor and sets my resolution to something above 640x480 on the arcade crt. I tried starting windows in VGA mode so I could change the settings on the monitor, but the same issue occurs. So basically I cant see on the arcade monitor to set it to 640x480 (plus i dont want to damage the monitor). Is there any way to set the resolution to 640x480 and have it stay even when changing monitors?

[beatsgo]

First things first: how are you connecting your PC to your arcade cab and specify what hardware you're using.

[grendelrt]

First things first: how are you connecting your PC to your arcade cab and specify what hardware you're using.

Connecting to a Blast City set for 31khz through Dsub from a Windows 7 PC with Nvidia GTX 670 DVI > VGA adapter. I was able to get a picture for windows when I went through VGA mode, but as soon as it realized I changed monitors it re upped the res.

[Fudoh]

If you got any other PC or notebook or even a tablet or smartphone you can simply run a VNC server on your MAME machine and use a VNC client on your other device to remote control your settings.

[grendelrt]

If you got any other PC or notebook or even a tablet or smartphone you can simply run a VNC server on your MAME machine and use a VNC client on your other device to remote control your settings.

I would have to keep the monitor running though to do that right? Couldnt that damage the monitor?

[Fudoh]

I would have to keep the monitor running though to do that right? Couldnt that damage the monitor?

no, you don't have to.

You just have to make the video card enables the VGA out in the first place, so you might have to switch on the monitor first, then the PC, but you can then switch off the monitor right away, connect via VNC first, make sure everything's right and then switch on the monitor for playing.

If you got a "stupid" video card, then you might need an DDC emulation adapter. That's a little VGA/VGA plug that mimics an monitor and thus forces the video card to send a signal, even though no monitor is connected.

[grendelrt]

I would have to keep the monitor running though to do that right? Couldnt that damage the monitor?

no, you don't have to.

You just have to make the video card enables the VGA out in the first place, so you might have to switch on the monitor first, then the PC, but you can then switch off the monitor right away, connect via VNC first, make sure everything's right and then switch on the monitor for playing.

If you got a "stupid" video card, then you might need an DDC emulation adapter. That's a little VGA/VGA plug that mimics an monitor and thus forces the video card to send a signal, even though no monitor is connected.

Thanks Fudoh, I did this with ultravnc and it worked =) I am hoping today when i turn back on everything it saved that setting for 640 x 480 for the CRT.