Restoring XP Default Display

I am trying to fix my parent's computer display which is really hard to read - how can you restore XP's defaults for display, font, text size etc. Internet pages look really strange too. I would appreciate any help.

Thank you.

 

Hello suze and welcome
You can change the size of the display by changing the screen resolution.

Right click on the blank desktop

Properties

Settings tab:

You'll see as you move the slider from less (objects appear larger) to more (objects appear smaller - fits more on the viewable screen without having to scroll).

Then click the advanced tab

In the general tab for the Monitor, you can adjust the DPI (dots per inch) which the higher the number, makes whatever screen resolution sharper. Mine set at 96 DPI

Then in the Monitor tab:

You can adjust the screen refresh rate to eliminate any flickering. 75 hz is I think the minimum that should be set and I have no trouble with that setting.

Make this the first adjustment you make if lower than 75 HZ, it changes the screen resolution. After this make the other changes.

Web pages will be affected by the screen resolution as well, and you can also change the font sizes in the View tab in the IE tool bar at the top - small, medium, large.

Remember to "Apply" any change to settings.

Regards - Charles

 

Yes - this is what I was doing, but it does not seem to be the problem. I don't know what is causing everything to be so messed up which is why I was hoping for a default settings option.

 

Hi suze,

Then I think the probelm is hardware - either the Monitor or the video card.

I'm moving this thread to the hardware section so the hardware people can look at it.

Regards - Charles

 

hi suze,

Do the basic video diagnostics built into XP:

Start > run > type dxdiag > ok

What's the version? Last item under System Information.

Go thru the tests.

Regards - Charles

 

Hi suze,

Haven't heard back from you, any progress?

Regards - Charles