Help, Computer settings Malfunction.

[smitholdtimer]

This is the second time for this problem to occur and I assure anyone who is willing to help that I will save the fix in case it happens a third time. Upon turning the computer on this morning found everything is very large and using more space than usual. Have looked but am not computer literate to find proper area for the fix. Everything is magnified and even using the control button and the minus key the text just becomes unreadable. Help please! If you can and are willing help me with this please respond with an E mail to [email protected] or PM, thank you very much.

 

[oldracer]

You did not mention what type or brand of computer so I am giving advice for a PC. When you say "larger" I think you mean that all the little icons that used to fit on the desktop are now huge and take up all the space and that the background image is either super fuzzy or a solid color? If this is the case it means that the video driver for your display card has stopped loading and the screen resolution has changed to the default for your computer, probably 800x600 or 640x480. To do a quick fix, move the cursor to a blank space on the screen and then right click the mouse. A little window will open and highlight the choice that says "properties" and click it. There will be 4 or 5 tabs shown and click the one that says "Settings" and then change the slider for "Screen Resolution" to the maximum. Click "Apply" and then save the settings.

I would immediately contact the website of the computer manufacturer to see why this is happening and what their fix is. Good luck with it.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Hi There.

The last time you and I fixed your computer we went to Control Panel, Appearance and Themes, Display, Settings, then moved the Screen resolution bar all the way to the right (toward the More side) then Apply. You said that fixed the problem then so I'm guessing it will again. Holler if you need anything.

 

[oldracer]

I read your message and there should be a small window of a different color pop up when you click the right mouse button. Inside that window will be a properties selection. You might have to scroll around the screen to find the window. The suggestion by Phil will also work if you can see the menus when you try them. I would suggest calling HP or checking their website as video should not change once it is set.

 

[smitholdtimer]

Thanks, I'll try it (Back to normal)

First to oldracer thank you sir, I sent you a PM and chattanoogaPhil, I'll try it and hopefully not have to bother you nice folks again. Do really appreciate your help. Any idea why this happens? "Found and changed the resolution and it is back to normal now. Although I could not properly navigate through the steps recommended by c-Phil I got lucky and found something with regard to 3-D and moved the resolution all the way to the right which put me back in business. Do you think I have something wrong with this H.P. Laptop or some kind of virus causing this to happen? Many thanks Guys for being kind enough to help."

 

[oldracer]

ALL HP computers and printers have software modules installed that periodically will hop onto the internet and go to HP's site to check for updates and download software and who knows what. I teach my students how to turn that off but it is a tad too complicated to try to do here. I would guess HP did some sort of software driver update and it caused a reset of the video system on your computer. At least now you know how to get things back when it happens again and it probably will.

 

[smitholdtimer]

oldracer

Yes Sir, I made a hard copy to reference when it occurs again, many thanks!

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Any idea why this happens?

Glad you got things straightened out.

I have no idea why these things happen but I've had way too much practice struggling with these type issues over the years... I recently replaced everything that had a Windows sticker for machines with an Apple logo. So far so good.

 

[wheelieguy]

You can always do a restore. That works every time.

 

[JcMack]

I've run WINXP since it came out on whatever PC/LT I use. I have always thought of it as a work in progress. For about two weeks this month my Slightly modified XP screen theme was reverting to standard blue XP on startup. Now with no help from me it's fixed itself. Microsoft updates have blown me out of the water many times. You need to backup on a regular basis with MS.