Windows 7/Computer Question (Last One, I Swear!!!)

[colchar]

When I installed Windows 7 I had couldn’t find a workable screen resolution – for many programs such as Firefox the font size was just too small. In addition, I was getting dizzy looking at the screen. I tried various resolutions but nothing seemed to work. CB&B suggested I adjust the refresh rate but the only option available to me was 60HZ. I had a new graphics card installed today and, although I can now adjust the refresh rate, I am still having problems with the resolution. As described above, the font size for some programs is just terrible and is too small to see. Also, despite having adjusted the refresh rate, I am still having trouble looking at the screen (dizziness, etc.).

Is this a common problem with Windows 7? Can anyone think of any way to resolve this? My monitor is about five years old and is one of the old flat-screen CRT models. Is my monitor simply too old for the newer OS and would buying a new monitor be likely to solve the problem I am having? Or is there no way to resolve this other than to revert back to Vista?

As usual, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Getting a new monitor makes sense to me. It's not my money, after all!

[DukeUsul]

When I installed Windows 7 I had couldn’t find a workable screen resolution – for many programs such as Firefox the font size was just too small. In addition, I was getting dizzy looking at the screen. I tried various resolutions but nothing seemed to work. CB&B suggested I adjust the refresh rate but the only option available to me was 60HZ. I had a new graphics card installed today and, although I can now adjust the refresh rate, I am still having problems with the resolution. As described above, the font size for some programs is just terrible and is too small to see. Also, despite having adjusted the refresh rate, I am still having trouble looking at the screen (dizziness, etc.).

Is this a common problem with Windows 7? Can anyone think of any way to resolve this? My monitor is about five years old and is one of the old flat-screen CRT models. Is my monitor simply too old for the newer OS and would buying a new monitor be likely to solve the problem I am having? Or is there no way to resolve this other than to revert back to Vista?

As usual, any and all help is greatly appreciated.

Can you post the make/model of the monitor?

Can you post the screen resolution settings?
(right-click on the desktop and choose screen resolution)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/25 ... tings.html

[colchar]

Can you post the make/model of the monitor?

Can you post the screen resolution settings?
(right-click on the desktop and choose screen resolution)
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/25 ... tings.html

Sure, here is all of the info I could find:

Mag Innovision (Mag Technology Co., Ltd.)
Manufactured: July 2004
Product# 772PF-s
Model# 786N
Serial# FEBL47103983C

Resolution: 1280x720 (85HZ)


As I said, it is an old one and I am thinking it simply cannot handle the new OS. I tried to update the driver for this monitor and it said it was up to date - but it was dated 2006 so I am thinking they aren't even making drivers for this old thing any more. I'll try to find an updated driver online.

[DevilAlumna]

Have you also played with all the display settings? You may just want to bump up the default font size.

Head here to see your various options: Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Display

[colchar]

Have you also played with all the display settings? You may just want to bump up the default font size.

Head here to see your various options: Control Panel -> Appearance and Personalization -> Display

Yeah, I've done that. Windows itself seems to be (reasonably) OK - it is programs such as Firefox, IE, Opera, etc. that are the biggest problem as they are virtually unreadable.

[CameronBornAndBred]

Yeah, I've done that. Windows itself seems to be (reasonably) OK - it is programs such as Firefox, IE, Opera, etc. that are the biggest problem as they are virtually unreadable.

Every now and then I'll see client's systems that are set to high contrast mode (this is for visually impaired), and it screws up IE. I doubt that is your issue, but might want to verify that. (Search for "high contrast" in help). Also, you can set the font size within IE, make sure it is set to at least medium. That setting is under the page tab. I can't imagine why Firefox would be doing the same, unless you imported your settings.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

Yeah, I've done that. Windows itself seems to be (reasonably) OK - it is programs such as Firefox, IE, Opera, etc. that are the biggest problem as they are virtually unreadable.

Every now and then I'll see client's systems that are set to high contrast mode (this is for visually impaired), and it screws up IE. I doubt that is your issue, but might want to verify that. (Search for "high contrast" in help). Also, you can set the font size within IE, make sure it is set to at least medium. That setting is under the page tab. I can't imagine why Firefox would be doing the same, unless you imported your settings.

Do you have a scroll button on your mouse? If so, do what I do for reading stuff, like this page, on Firefox, so I don't have to use reading glasses. Hold down the CTRL key and roll the scroll button on your mouse - one way makes you larger, one way makes you small (play White Rabbit here... http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684642124493332 ). Seriously, this is a very easy way to change the font size in your display. On my netbook, I use the CTRL key while "scrolling" on the touchpad to do this (boy, was that ever a Godsend when I discovered I could do that!)

[cl15876]

"quote="DevilAlumna""
Yeah, I've done that. Windows itself seems to be (reasonably) OK - it is programs such as Firefox, IE, Opera, etc. that are the biggest problem as they are virtually unreadable."/quote"

Every now and then I'll see client's systems that are set to high contrast mode (this is for visually impaired), and it screws up IE. I doubt that is your issue, but might want to verify that. (Search for "high contrast" in help). Also, you can set the font size within IE, make sure it is set to at least medium. That setting is under the page tab. I can't imagine why Firefox would be doing the same, unless you imported your settings.

Do you have a scroll button on your mouse? If so, do what I do for reading stuff, like this page, on Firefox, so I don't have to use reading glasses. Hold down the CTRL key and roll the scroll button on your mouse - one way makes you larger, one way makes you small (play White Rabbit here... http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684642124493332 ). Seriously, this is a very easy way to change the font size in your display. On my netbook, I use the CTRL key while "scrolling" on the touchpad to do this (boy, was that ever a Godsend when I discovered I could do that!)

Oz - great tip! I think I've done this by accident in the past and spent forever trying to figure out what I did to restore the screen! I won't forget it now!

[gadzooks]

Do you have a scroll button on your mouse? If so, do what I do for reading stuff, like this page, on Firefox, so I don't have to use reading glasses. Hold down the CTRL key and roll the scroll button on your mouse - one way makes you larger, one way makes you small (play White Rabbit here... http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684642124493332 ). Seriously, this is a very easy way to change the font size in your display. On my netbook, I use the CTRL key while "scrolling" on the touchpad to do this (boy, was that ever a Godsend when I discovered I could do that!)

You can also hit CTRL and + or - to adjust the text size if you don't have a scroll wheel or just want to use the keyboard.

[TillyGalore]

Do you have a scroll button on your mouse? If so, do what I do for reading stuff, like this page, on Firefox, so I don't have to use reading glasses. Hold down the CTRL key and roll the scroll button on your mouse - one way makes you larger, one way makes you small (play White Rabbit here... http://popup.lala.com/popup/504684642124493332 ). Seriously, this is a very easy way to change the font size in your display. On my netbook, I use the CTRL key while "scrolling" on the touchpad to do this (boy, was that ever a Godsend when I discovered I could do that!)

You can also hit CTRL and + or - to adjust the text size if you don't have a scroll wheel or just want to use the keyboard.

Thank you both for sharing these tips. I knew I could increase the size of the page in a document by using control and the scroll button on my mouse, but didn't think about doing in Firefox. I can see so much better now.

[colchar]

It turns out that my monitor was the problem all along. I guess the fact that it is now 5 1/2 years old means that it simply couldn't handle the new OS.

While on campus today I stoppped into the tech store and bought a new monitor. Now that I've got it hooked up everything is fine. I am still getting used to the bigger monitor (went from a 17" to a 20") but it isn't bothering my eyes the way my old one was.

[OZZIE4DUKE]

It turns out that my monitor was the problem all along. I guess the fact that it is now 5 1/2 years old means that it simply couldn't handle the new OS.

While on campus today I stoppped into the tech store and bought a new monitor. Now that I've got it hooked up everything is fine. I am still getting used to the bigger monitor (went from a 17" to a 20") but it isn't bothering my eyes the way my old one was.

Glad you solved your problem. The last thing you need is something else making you go blind...