In case it may help other Dell equipment users, this is information about the new Dell monitor I just got as a purchase from Amazon.
This monitor is Not PnP and possibly not Dell, though it has the Dell logo on front panel.
It is identified by Dell drivers as "generic default monitor". I tried three drivers for this model that specify use with Vista SP2: one from the installation CD, the most current driver from Dell downloads, and one earlier-dated driver available for this model at Dell downloads. Same with the control panel app for this monitor. No Dell software recognized this monitor as a Dell device. I even tried a little app from the Dell website that is designed to auto-detect Dell hardware, too: no joy. All relevant Dell software indicates that this is not a Dell device.
The monitor is identified by Windows Vista (SP2, fully updated) as:
"Generic Non-PnP Monitor";
"this device is working properly";
"driver software is up to date".
Here are details, in case some PR at Dell tries to blame the consumer:
Six drivers are listed on installation CD. "Drivers that can be installed: NONE". "Connect your monitor before using this program."
Driver HXFX0.exe for P2214H from Dell website: "Please connect your monitor before running this program."
This monitor is not recognized by Dell software, and it is NOT PnP. Out of box display is headache inducing.
Dell does not permit registration of the monitor since it was not bought directly from Dell. Support staff told me that Amazon is responsible for support on any malfunctioning devices bought from Amazon. That is not ethical business practice. Amazon was not responsible for design or manufacture and can't do anything but absorb a loss by taking it back and offering either replacement or refund. Not to mention what an extreme hassle it would be to try to get the monitor safely back in its packing. That's not a chore I plan to try.
Bottom line: back to 1993 - the thrill of the first RGB monitors, which one will configure entirely by hand.
For anyone else who gets stuck with this not-dell, not-PnP monitor and sets it up manually with display adapter controls (nvidia for me) and OS display controls, the settings that work well for me are:
Use graphics adapter control panel to set resolution VESA 1920 x 1080 at 60Hz.
I think ideal pixel clock would be 148 or 149 MHz, but can only get 100 MHz with monitor controls on side panel. That setting is OK, so far.
Use OS display controls to set DPI scaling to173 pixels/inch, which was 180% for me.
Color is adjustable through all three controls. Oddly enough, color balance was good OOB with this monitor, though of course those settings are easy to adjust as needed.
What does work on this monitor:
USB 2.0 hub is good. Front panel menu system is OK for minor display adjustments/settings. Tilt, swivel, and vertical extensions are mechanically smooth. Once configured, the display is bright and clear without obvious dead pixels or unevenness.
If you bought one of these lemons and keep it instead of shoving it back to Amazon (remember, Dell assumes zero responsibility for devices bought anywhere except direct from Dell) then be sure to lock the screen settings after you have it right, or many new app displays will make minor but annoying changes to the basic setup -- which is one of those tiny details I had forgotten about non-PnP display monitors. "Lock" is available on the front panel controls.
Obviously, I don't recommend that anyone else bother with this monitor. The settings I could manage would, most likely, not be adequate for intensive gaming, fine color work, or lots of video, but I don't use this monitor for those jobs anyway so am satisfied at this point. You could probably find a better monitor second hand at a charity shop or set out on a curb on trash collection day, though.