How to Correct Monitor Resolution on PCs

The monitor is your window on the virtual world. Make sure you've got the best view possible in Windows. Your eyes will thank you.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Go to Start, Settings, then Control Panel.

2. In the Control Panel window, double-click on the Display icon.

3. Click on the Settings tab.

4. In the Desktop or Screen Area, adjust the slider control higher or lower with your mouse to reach the setting you want. Then click on Apply.

5. The Display Properties dialog box will appear and explain that your monitor might flicker. Some combinations of video cards and Windows versions will require that the computer reboot and will ask if you wish to do so. In either case, click on OK to proceed.

6. If you're happy with the new settings, click on Yes to keep them. If not, click on No and your old settings will return, or click on Cancel to readjust the settings.

Tips & Warnings

• Higher resolutions are usually easier on the eyes because images appear sharper and more finely detailed.

on 11/22/2005 With low resolution you can take higher refresh rate. Low refresh rate may cause headache. Select a middle resolution.

on 11/22/2005 Your LCD screen has one and only one best resolution; all other resolutions will be interpolated (averaged) and look blurry. Refer to your user manual or the manufacturer's website for the "native" resolution. Also, don't worry about the screen refresh rate; LCD screens don't have flicker problems, so just use the default value.

on 11/22/2005 While you're adjusting your resolution, check your refresh rate. By default, it is set at 60Hz, which can cause an annoying flicker, especially under fluorescent lights. Click the "Advanced" button on the Settings tab, then select the "Monitor" tab. Bump up the screen refresh rate a notch until the flicker disappears. Setting it higher than necessary can allegedly shorten the life of your monitor.

Do not uncheck the "Hide modes that this monitor cannot display" box. Setting an incorrect refresh rate can destroy your monitor, especially on older models.

on 11/22/2005 The typical monitor resolution of any new computer is 1024x768. Older computers use 800x600.

on 11/22/2005 High resolution and high refresh rates are fairly demanding on a monitor, so a lower refresh rate is preferable if you have the resolution up high (especially on a small monitor).

75 Hz should be all you need to prevent screen flicker giving you a headache.