Correct Screen Resolution

[David48]

I have issues with viewing images on my computer.

My browser is Firefox and that doesn't automatically resize large images.

Elsewhere we've been discussing my problem, but I didn't want to go off topic there, so I'm asking my question here amongst knowledgeable folk.

I run a decade old computer running XP but have a modern screen. The screen resolution is set at 1024 x 768.

The solution I was given was along the lines of ...

That must be an old ... (as) native resolution has not been common for several years now.

It is important that you set the resolution of your card to the "native" resolution of the monitor or else the software interpolates the image causing it to blur.

So need to look at the screen specs of the monitor or laptop to verify what your optimum video card resolution setting would be.

If after doing so and the text and icons are too small then those can be adjusted through the system display controls.

So, my questions are ...

How do I look at the screen specs of the monitor to verify what your optimum video card resolution setting would be.

How do I set the resolution of my card to the "native" resolution of the monitor.

Thanks in advance.

.

[NeverSure]

David, is your screen blurry? Is the display too large or too small for the screen? Do you have to scroll to see everything?

You mention resize images, and you mention "causing it to blur." In my mind those are two separate things.

Some monitors have a different aspect ratio than others. In other words some are wider than others compared to their height.

Someone is welcome to correct me, but you haven't said anything that I'm not used to adjusting with screen resolution alone.

If you have the correct driver installed for your video card, you should have enough choices in screen resolution to make it all work fine.

[RichCor]

Display Resolution is determined and controlled Primarily by the Graphics Card, it's memory allocation, and it's device drivers.

Secondarily, the maximum graphic density is determined by the characteristics or physical limitations of the Display.

Simply put, go into the Control Panel of your system software, select "Display"

All this information can be EASILY found by entering a google search, "windows xp changing resolution"

Also, google search the make/model of your display and see what the maximum "resolution" and "refresh rate" it will accept.

Text from the Windows Microsoft website

Change your monitor resolution

Applies to Windows XP

If you ever find yourself squinting to read text on your monitor screen or want to fit more windows on your desktop, you may be able to fix these problems by changing the resolution of your monitor. Changing the resolution changes the size of your computer desktop.

Note:

Flat-panel monitors support only a single resolution. If you change the default resolution of a flat-panel display, text will appear blurry.

To change your monitor’s resolution

1. Right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.

2. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Settings tab.

3. Move the Screen resolution slider to the left to decrease the resolution of your monitor, making text and pictures appear larger. Or move the Screen resolution slider to the right to increase your monitor’s resolution, making text and pictures appear smaller.

4. Click Apply to have the new resolution take effect.

5. If the Monitor Settings dialog box appears, look at your display. If you like the new resolution, click Yes. If you do not like the resolution, click No, and return to step 3 to try a different resolution.

6. Click OK.

Edited August 25, 2014 by RichCor

[Crossy]

Google your monitor type and manufacturer, you should find the native resolution on the specifications page.

Set your graphics card to that resolution (if it's supported of course).

QED

[David48]

I found this ...

On Windows XP, right-click on an empty area of your desktop, and choose "Properties". When the Display Properties dialog opens, move the "Screen resolution" slider all the way to the left to see your minimum, and all the way to the right to see the maximum.

Now I have set the screen resolution to 1280 x 1024 ... WOW ... everything is smaller.

I've increased the font size.

Lot's to learn yet about this.

Thanks for the help thus far.

[mania]

I found this ...

On Windows XP, right-click on an empty area of your desktop, and choose "Properties". When the Display Properties dialog opens, move the "Screen resolution" slider all the way to the left to see your minimum, and all the way to the right to see the maximum.

Now I have set the screen resolution to 1280 x 1024 ... WOW ... everything is smaller.

I've increased the font size.

Lot's to learn yet about this.

Thanks for the help thus far.

You may already know this but....Open any folder & right click an empty spot

Select View & there you can select small,Medium,Large or even Extra Large Icons

That will help a bit with everything seeming smaller when your getting use to a new higher resolution

[Tywais]

As I mentioned in the other topic that you quoted me on it is important to look up the native resolution of your video monitor. That is, the specification in the data sheet or online at the manufacturer will say something like resolution 1280 pixels wide by 1024 pixels high or just Resolution 1280x1024. These are the number of physical pixels of the monitor and referred to as native resolution.

Now to get the best possible display on that monitor your video card has to be set to match that exactly. If you find the specs of your current monitor is 1280x1024 then you have set the resolution to optimum for that monitor based on your comment above. The problem with using resolutions outside the native resolution is that the monitor has to interpolate/extrapolate the information. That is it has to modify the amount of data coming in to match its resolution and that is usually done by averaging adjacent pixels and this will cause fuzziness in the image and lose some sharpness.

If your current monitor is higher than 1280x1024 and your slider will not go beyond that then you may be only using XP's internal drivers and need to download current drivers for your video card.

[Sayonarax]

optimum = native resolution

The resolution your using is for 4:3 not 16:9

If your screens around 21" its native will most likely be 1680x900, unless you LCD is from your PC's era.