Genealogy Chat

I did post this on the general board last night but no one seems to know what the problem is . My icons in the start menu and control panel are all distorted and faded , i can hardly make them out. Any one know what is causing it and how to fix the problem .. Cath

It's hard to diagnose the problem without actually seeing it. Try adjusting the screen resolution first. Right click on a blank space on your desktop, from the menu click properties then settings and have a play with the screen resolution. Failing that. E mail me a screen shot. Carol www.genealogyprinters*com

What version of Windows are you running? Did you install any new software recently? SYMPTOMS The icons in Windows Explorer and on the desktop may appear distorted or 'fuzzy.' Back to the top CAUSE Windows displays icons best at size 32 or 48. If the icon size is not 32 or 48, Windows synthesizes an icon of the requested size by stretching or compressing an existing icon of the nearest size. The result of this stretching or compressing may appear distorted or fuzzy. Back to the top RESOLUTION To correct this problem, reset the icon size to 32 or 48. To do so, follow these steps: 1. In Control Panel, double-click Display. 2. Click the Appearance tab. 3. In the Item box, click Icon. 4. In the Size box, click 32 or 48. NOTE: There are two Size boxes. Adjust the setting in the Size box to the right of the Item box. Rose

Also try this: 1. Open the Windows Control Panel. 2. Select Display and press ENTER to open the Display Properties dialog box. 3. Hold down CTRL and press the TAB key until you move to the Appearance tab. 4. In the Windows and Buttons list box, select 'Windows Classic Style' and choose the Apply button. 5. Wait for Windows to update your display. Then, in the Windows and Buttons list box, select 'Windows XP Style' and press ENTER. Rose

Sorry for not replying i was ust trying out what you have posted but with no effect . Its driving me mad Thanks Cath

Just like last night - you have been asked questions but you do not answer. What programme are you using Apple, Windows XP or Vista? It sounds as if possible your display setting have been changed. Somewhere on your screen surround (assuming you do not have a laptop) there will be one or more buttons. This(ese) will allow you to change the screen settings (britghtness, clock(this is not the time but a refresh ratefunction), x stretch, x position, y position. Just possibly there will be a reset offered. Try any and all. C

CB I did apologize for not replying last night . I am running XP and yes it is a lap top . I am am a bit thick when it comes to the tech side of computers. Can you tell me how to sort it in plain English please Cath

Laptops are a bit like how long is a piece of string. Somewhere there ought to be sinilar controls to the ones I mentioned earlier. These are to adjust your screen settings - these are entirely different from the settings which Windows uses. Between my sons and I we have four laptops and there seems to be nothing common as to where the contrrols are or what they look like. They do all function in much the same manner. A plus or minus ro a rotating dial to move from one function to the next. A click or double click to select a function. A plus or minus to increase X or Y (X is left right across the screen, Y is up down on the screen). You have not said how the icons are distorted so they could be short and fat, or tall and thin, or (highly unlikely) slanted. Few screen provide for you to change how high a screen is but most provide a control to vary how wide it is. If your icons are short or tall it could be this is the control for you. There will probably by a control called focus. This seems to have minimal effect on what I what call focus but does do strange things (or stops strange things) with the writing! If none of these work I regret to say you need to talk to somebody with knowledge of your laptop! Clive

If your not sure what caused the problem then try doing a System Restore back to a date when it was last working okay. If that doesn't sort the problem you may want to check your display drivers are up to date,although this is unlikely to be the cause. Also check that your GPU(Graphics card) card settings are set at the same settings for resolution & DPI as the Monitor settings.

Thanks to all that has tried to help me with this problem . I will have another go at the display options tommorrow when i have a bit more time . Thanks Cath

I thought a system restore was suggested last night. However I have just spoken to one of my son and he thinks that with a laptop you may (heavily underlined) be able to use Help from the start menu and ask for Focus. His help page is very different from normal XP and does give info about his laptop. C