Monitor Display is Weird

Before you strain your eyes much more, check the Monitor's connection to the computer first. Unplug and replug it in. If that didn't fix it, continue on your perilous journey...

If your Operating system is booting up, there are some settings we will need to check. Click on your Operating system below:

Windows XP
Windows 2000
Windows 95/98/ME
Mac OS X (10)
Mac OS 8/9

If changing the Operating System setting doesn't help, most monitors have a Menu to change settings you can access through buttons on the front, or some older ones have scroll wheels you can move to adjust the settings.

If you're not familiar with your monitor's menu or how to adjust the settings, you should consult your manual for your Monitor on how to adjust it's settings. It can be rather confusing because every monitor is different.

Give us a call if you have any questions or need help to get it fixed.

Windows XP Display Options

Click on "Start" Depending on your Start Menu layout, go to "Settings" then click on "Control Panel". If you don't have Settings, just click right on Control Panel on the righthand side Control Panel also has two different layouts. Try them both to see which layout you have:

Layout 1 (Category View)

   Click on "Appearance and Themes"

   Click on "Display"

   Click on the "Settings" tab near the top of the window

Layout 2 (Classic view)

   Double click on "Display"

Check to make sure your "Color Quality" is set to 16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit. The bigger the number in front of "bit" the better color quality you'll have, so 32 bit is better than 24 bit. 16 bit is OK, but 24 and 32 bit are what you should use.

If you don't have 24 or 32 bit, your video card may be very old, or the drivers are not properly installed for it. Please call us for help on this issue

The next thing to check is the "Screen Resolution". At the bottom of that box it will tell you your current screen resolution. Most people use "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." The bigger the numbers the smaller things will look on your screen and the more screen space you'll have. If your Screen Resolution isn't set to one of those, use the slider and move until it says either "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." and then click Apply. Your screen may flicker during the change. If that doesn't look better, follow these instructions again, but use the other Resolution.

Finished or Start Over.

Windows 2000 Display Options

Click on "Start"

Go to "Settings" then click on "Control Panel".

Double Click on Display

Click on the "Settings" tab near the top of the window Check to make sure your "Color Quality" is set to 16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit. The bigger the number in front of "bit" the better color quality you'll have, so 32 bit is better than 24 bit. 16 bit is OK, but 24 and 32 bit are what you should use.

If you don't have 24 or 32 bit, your video card may be very old, or the drivers are not properly installed for it. Please call us for help on this issue

Next check the "Screen Area" section. At the bottom of that box it will tell you your current screen resolution. Most people use "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." The bigger the numbers the smaller things will look on your screen and the more screen space you'll have. If your Screen Resolution isn't set to one of those, use the slider and move until it says either "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." and then click Apply. Your screen may flicker during the change. If that doesn't look better, follow these instructions again, but use the other Resolution.

Finished or Start Over.

Windows 95/98/ME Display Options

s Click on "Start"

Go to "Settings" then click on "Control Panel".

Double Click on Display

Click on the "Settings" tab near the top of the window Check to make sure your "Color Quality" is set to 16 bit, 24 bit, or 32 bit. The bigger the number in front of "bit" the better color quality you'll have, so 32 bit is better than 24 bit. 16 bit is OK, but 24 and 32 bit are what you should use.

If you don't have 24 or 32 bit, your video card may be very old, or the drivers are not properly installed for it. Please call us for help on this issue

Next check the "Screen Area" section. At the bottom of that box it will tell you your current screen resolution. Most people use "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." The bigger the numbers the smaller things will look on your screen and the more screen space you'll have. If your Screen Resolution isn't set to one of those, use the slider and move until it says either "800 by 600 pixels", or "1024 by 768 pixels." and then click Apply. Your screen may flicker during the change. If that doesn't look better, follow these instructions again, but use the other Resolution.

Finished or Start Over.

Mac OS X Display Options Open the Apple menu

Click System Preferences

Double click on "Displays."

On the left hand side is the "Resolutions:" choices. It will be selected on your current resolution. Most people use "800 x 600", or "1024 x 768." The bigger the numbers the smaller things will look on your screen and the more screen space you'll have. If your Screen Resolution isn't set to one of those, click on either "800 x 600", or "1024 x 768."

To the right of "Resolutions" is "Colors." Make sure that is set to Millions.

Close the Window and it will make the changes. Your screen may flicker during the change.

If that doesn't look better, follow these instructions again, but use the other Resolution.

Finished or Start Over.

Mac OS 8/9 Display Options Open the Apple menu

Go to Control Panels

Click on Monitors.

In the "Color Depth" menu, make sure "Thousands" or "Millions" is selected. If neither of those is listed, you will need to call us to fix it. Otherwise, to change it, click on either "Thousands" or "Millions"

Then in the "Resolution" menu, verify the current setting. To change the setting, click to choose your preferred amount of colors. From the Resolution menu, verify the current setting. To change the setting, click to choose your preferred screen resolution. The next thing to check is the "Resolution" menu. It will be selected on your current resolution. Most people use "800 x 600", or "1024 x 768." The bigger the numbers the smaller things will look on your screen and the more screen space you'll have. If your Screen Resolution isn't set to one of those, click on either "800 x 600", or "1024 x 768." Close the window. Your screen may flicker during the change.

If that doesn't look better, follow these instructions again, but use the other Resolution.

Please call us if you have any problems or questions.

Finished or Start Over.