Trouble connecting external display to new Imac i7

[roderick]

I have the mini display port plugged in and a vga cable from the imac to my external monitor. I should just be able to turn the monitor on and it work but the imac doesn't detect it and it just comes up as a black screen. Is there something else to try?

 

[gospel9]

Yeah the external display should just work as long as it is on. Saw this problem before a while ago but it seems pretty rare. Just call Apple they will send you a new one.

 

[roderick]

ok, i reset the pram and the monitor was detected but now I have another problem. The external monitor's full resolution is 1920 x 1200 but that resolution is not an option!?! The highest it goes is 1600 x 1200 and I have these ugly black bars on the sides of the screen. Anyone know how I can get my external monitor to full resolution? Thanks!