Solution for Samsung SyncMaster 215tw wrong EDID problem

[iceslice]

I've found the solution for Samsung SyncMaster 215tw wrong EDID problem.

The symthoms of the problem are:
1. Monitor reports it's SyncMaster 204T instead of 215tw
2. The reported Plug and Play ID is SAM01AE instead of SAM0214
3. The Timing recommendation is 1600x1200 at 60Hz instead of 1680x1050 at 60Hz

As the result the native resolution is not detected automatically by OS. Moreover, it's impossible to get the native resolution in Windows Vista at all.

To solve the problem you need to flash the correct EDID into monitor, but the EEPROM is write protected by default.

To override the EDID you need to enter the monitor service menu. It temporarily disables the EEPROM write protection.

Below is the step-by-step instruction:

1. Save the following data to edid.txt file. It's the EDID of working 215tw.
00FFFFFFFFFFFF00 4C2D140231325044 27100103802D1C78 2AEE95A3544C9926 0F5054BFEF80B300 81808140714F0101 0101010101012139 9030621A274068B0 360098321100001C 000000FD00384B1E 5111000A20202020 2020000000FC0053 796E634D61737465 720A2020000000FF 004853394C393034 3637330A20200036

2. Enter the monitor service menu using the following steps:

a. Enter OSD menu by pressing menu button on monitor.
b. In Picture->Custom submenu reduce both brightness and contrast to 0.
c. Return to OSD menu.
d. Press and hold the Menu button for 15-20 sec. until the Red menu shows up.

3. Run the registered PowerStrip and use Update EDID option with edid.txt

4. Exit the service menu by switching blue power button off/on.

Repeat the procedure twice for both DVI and VGA as they use different EDID.
Worked like a charm for me. I'm now finally able to use it with Vista.

[Blahman]

I always wondered if there was a way to disable write protect on protected EEPROMs like that. Good find!

[Marinjo]

I've found the solution for Samsung SyncMaster 215tw wrong EDID problem.

I was very glad to find your post. I have the same problem with SM215TW but in Win XP.
 It shows up as SAM6056 which is 15" LCD SM 530. The adapter is Sparkle GF6200. It works fine through VGA, but is blank when switching/booting in Digital through DVI. I have the latest nVIDIA drivers and have installed the SM215TW display drivers as well. I'm new to these problems and now have learned the basics for EDID, DVI, VGA, LCD adjustments and so on.
 Regards, Maris.

[Marinjo]

I happily succeeded in updating the EDID, but the DVI connection nevertheless does not work. Comparing the EDID from 215TW with that from working Samsung 225BW everythings seems to be correct. The Powerstrip .ini file shows 1 Bad EDID string but I don't believe it for 100% cause this EDID looks right.

[horizonchaser]

Samsung 245BW

Hopefully this post will help someone else out.  After much research I was able to put all the pieces together and get my Samsung 245BW monitor correctly working with Windows 7 and displaying in the native resolution.  I bought this monitor off of craigslist and I now suspect that someone repaired the monitor and placed a 225BW video input board in this monitor.  Once I updated the EDID to the 245 with a native resolution of 1920x1200 everything works perfectly now.

Here is the EDID I used-

00FFFFFFFFFFFF00 4C2D250434324454 0613010380342078 2AEE91A3544C9926 0F5054BFEF80A940 81808140714F0101 010101010101283C 80A070B023403020 360006442100001A 000000FD00384B1E 5111000A20202020 2020000000FC0053 796E634D61737465 720A2020000000FF 0048565953323030 3936350A2020000A

Powerstrip worked on Windows 7 for me.  I bought a registered copy to get access to the unsupported undocumented feature to update the EDID.  Tech support did kindly offer some assistance with this feature, for which I am grateful.   You do have to send them the pstrip.ini so you can get the access code to use the feature.

Response from support was pretty quick, I just wish they had processed my original order a little faster.  It was about 24 hours and to be fair it was over the weekend.  I would just be nice if it was entirely automated and sent out the registration file within minutes.

For me I could not overcome the write protect issue using any methods of pushing buttons. I tried of holding menu buttons, entering service screens etc.  I finally had to open up the monitor.  Carefully pry around the outside edge of the monitor and work your way around carefully and the two plastic halves will open up.  Once inside you have to get to the board that the DVI connector is attached two.  It takes a little work and you have to undo a few connectors and 4 screws.  Once you have the board loose you will see an 8 pin microchip near the DVI connector.  My was a A21SC eeprom which is the same pinout as the more common 24S02.  Pin number 7 is the write protect pin and must be disconnected.  The dot marks pin 1, pin 8 is directly opposite pin 1 and pin 7 is opposite the dot and down 1. Search 24S02 and you can find a pin out. I carefully unsolder mine while prying up on it with a pair of tweezers.  I was able to leave the pin attached in case I ever wanted to put it back which I won't, but just in case.

Once that was complete I put the monitor back together, connected the DVI cable and used powerstrip to update the EDID and it worked perfectly! Now I can run my monitor at the native resolution in Windows 7!!!!

[Diddlik]

Does anyone have EDID for Samsung 213T?