Decision --- What to do

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 30, 2011

My hubby likes to buy me nice things. He came in last week with what he said was an Easter present for me. It was a 23" flat screen monitor for my computer. Now, I already had a nice flat screen, though it was more of a square size, probably 19 inches. He installed this new one and for the life of me I can't get used to it. To tell the truth, it seems like it stretches my eyes trying to see everything. I don't want to hurt his feelings, but I really liked the other one better. Should I ask him to take it back to Staples, or just try to get used to it?

natalie_ca · Apr 30, 2011

Once you get used to the 23" flat screen, you will love it!!! I have a 22" and I can't imagine looking at any other. It's great. It did take me a bit of time to get used to it, and I had to change the resolution slightly. At it's optimal resolution the text was just too darn tiny and me with my old eyes couldn't read anything without going cross-eyed or planting my nose against the screen

If you are having a hard time with the small fonts due to the high resolution, there are a number of settings that can help. One of the main ones is the

Display properties (right click on empty desktop) => settings => Advanced => General
and change the DPI setting to 120 (you will need to restart!). This changes everything to be larger.

Using clear type fonts also helps make the most of the available resolution.

If you don't want all application sizes to change then you can use large fonts from the Display properties => Appearance => Font size setting. This will make text easier to read.

Then set the screen to it's native resolution. LCDs are always much sharper at their native resolutions than a scaled resolution.

Obviously you can also do changes on a per application basis, e.g. for Firefox or Word, by changing the default font settings.

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Once you get used to the 23" flat screen, you will love it!!! I have a 22" and I can't imagine looking at any other. It's great. It did take me a bit of time to get used to it, and I had to change the resolution slightly. At it's optimal resolution the text was just too darn tiny and me with my old eyes couldn't read anything without going cross-eyed or planting my nose against the screen

If you are having a hard time with the small fonts due to the high resolution, there are a number of settings that can help. One of the main ones is the

Display properties (right click on empty desktop) => settings => Advanced => General
and change the DPI setting to 120 (you will need to restart!). This changes everything to be larger.

Using clear type fonts also helps make the most of the available resolution.

If you don't want all application sizes to change then you can use large fonts from the Display properties => Appearance => Font size setting. This will make text easier to read.

Then set the screen to it's native resolution. LCDs are always much sharper at their native resolutions than a scaled resolution.

Obviously you can also do changes on a per application basis, e.g. for Firefox or Word, by changing the default font settings.

Sorry Natalie, all that is over my head. Do you know any other way to explain what you are telling me.

MoochNNoodles · Apr 30, 2011

Hmm...it took me a bit to get used to the larger flat screen too. Things are sharper. I bet there is some way to adjust how you are viewing things. How long do you have before you need to return it?

natalie_ca · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Sorry Natalie, all that is over my head. Do you know any other way to explain what you are telling me.

Sorry! I forget that not everyone is computer savoy. I'll try. My additions are in red.

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Display properties (right click on empty desktop) => settings => Advanced => General
and change the DPI setting to 120 (you will need to restart!). This changes everything to be larger.

- Go to your desktop (where your icons are). Right click on it. A little window pops up.

1. Pick "Properties". This opens up the "Display Properties" window.
2. Settings tab
3. Advanced button (another window opens)
4. General Tab
5. In "DPI Settings" use the drop down arrow and pick "120"
6. Below that under "compatibility" pick "Apply the new settings without restarting"
7. Click "OK" (this closes that window but leaves "Display Properties window open)
8. In the display properties window, set the "screen resolution" to it's native resolution. Native resolution is the optimal number for the model and size of your computer monitor. LCD monitors are always much sharper at their native resolutions than a scaled resolution.

To find out the native resolution of your monitor

You need to check your monitors manual. I have a lenovo 22" wide flat screen. The screen resolution for my particular monitor is "1680 x 1050". Yours could be different because it is not only the size of the monitor that matters, but also the model of it. If you haven't got the manual Google it, put the name of your monitor and also the size.

If you need help finding the optimal resolution for your monitor, post the brand of the monitor and I'll see if I can find it for you.

Using clear type fonts also helps make the most of the available resolution.

What I mean by clear type fonts are fonts such as Times New Roman or New Courier, or other standard windows fonts that are easy to read.

If you don't want all application sizes to change then you can use large fonts from the Display properties => Appearance => Font size setting. This will make text easier to read.

- Go to your desktop (where your icons are). Right click on it. A little window pops up.

1. Pick "Properties". This opens up the "Display Properties" window.
2. Appearance tab
3. Use the drop down arrow in "font size" and pick something other than "normal"
4. Click "OK"

Obviously you can also do changes on a per application basis, e.g. for Firefox or Word, by changing the default font settings.

You do that through your browser, IE: Internet Explorer, Fire Fox or some other one.

To access the browser font options, go to "Tools" and pick "Options" and click on each tab until you find something that mentions "Fonts".

Hope that helps. If not, post back

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 30, 2011

Natalie, I figure out how to change to 120 DPI, I checked apply without restarting, then I restarted my computer. I also changed to large font. Do I need to have both changed like that. I set the resolution to how it was to begin with which is 1920x1080. The monitor is a 23" Hanspree model HF235.
Now how do I see what kind of font I have like you mentioned clear fonts.

Winchester · Apr 30, 2011

Once you get used to your screen, I think you'll enjoy it. I've been using a 24-inch flat screen now for a few years and I love the thing. It does take awhile to get used to it, but keep trying. There are times when I like to kick back on my computer chair, prop my legs up on my desk and watch tv on my computer. It's fantastic.

I'm using Vista, so I shouldn't say anything about fonts and such as I don't want to confuse you. I can say that I'm using 120 DPI (dots per inch) for my screen and it's set at 1776 x 1000 pixels. The higher your DPI...dots per inch....the better your fonts will look.

Most people have a list of fonts inside their Windows folder.

Right-click on your Start button, go to Windows >>>> Fonts. Inside that folder is a complete list of all the fonts on your computer. I think, if you're using XP, the fonts listed on RED are those you don't want to mess with as those are the ones your computer is using for menus and such. I've had Vista for so long that I don't remember. I'm sorry.

But please try to get used to your new monitor. I do think that, in time, you will enjoy having it.

ETA: I just changed my resolution to 1920 x 1080 and I like that.

Also check your monitor flicker. Make sure you're set at the highest color...at least 32-bit. That will help you if your monitor seems to be flickering. I keep mine right around 60.

natalie_ca · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Now how do I see what kind of font I have like you mentioned clear fonts.

The font that is default is considered a "clear font" so no need to worry about that. Some people like to change up their fonts and use scroll / handwritten styles. Those are the non-clear style fonts. But anything that looks like basic plain ordinary typing is considered a good font to use.

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 30, 2011

Since I made these changes, it seems like my writing needs to be darker. How can I do that.

natalie_ca · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Since I made these changes, it seems like my writing needs to be darker. How can I do that.

Your text here looks just fine to me.

blueyedgirl5946 · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Your text here looks just fine to me.

I am having trouble reading in my email program. I can't get stuff adjusted so it is comfortable for me. I wasn't having any troubles with my old one.

natalie_ca · Apr 30, 2011

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

I am having trouble reading in my email program. I can't get stuff adjusted so it is comfortable for me. I wasn't having any troubles with my old one.

Not sure why you now have a light colour for your font in your email program. If you only changed the DPI and font size, it shouldn't have affected the colour of your font. Did you change anything else other than what I suggested above?

Since the problem is only in your email program, then you have to go and change the font colour in your email program. What program do you use for your email....Outlook Express?

emil · May 1, 2011

if you don't like it, i'm sure he won't be upset about returning it and having some pocket money.

ut0pia · May 1, 2011

I would definitely tell him to take it back. It shouldn't hurt his feelings, just be reallllyyy sweet about it and tell him how much you appreciate the gesture etc etc

rockcat · May 1, 2011

Your husband sounds wonderful. I'm sure he would understand.

It looks like Linda's suggestions were really helpful, but you still like the old one better. I think you should just tell your husband that. If he can still take it back is there something you would rather have? Is there something that may benefit both of you?

Pray about it Blue Eyes. Perhaps God has a plan you haven't thought about. Maybe it would be of better use in your church.

blueyedgirl5946 · May 1, 2011

Natalie_ca;3059456 said:
Not sure why you now have a light colour for your font in your email program. If you only changed the DPI and font size, it shouldn't have affected the colour of your font. Did you change anything else other than what I suggested above?

Since the problem is only in your email program, then you have to go and change the font colour in your email program. What program do you use for your email....Outlook Express?[/QUOT

I only made the changes you recommended. I am not sure the problem is only in the email. It seems like after I made the changes all the writing appears lighter. My husband noticed it too. I don't know what else to do.

natalie_ca · May 1, 2011

Ok. I'm running out of suggestions. This is the first time I've encountered this and I've helped several people set up their wide screen monitors.

If this doesn't work, I'll post in the computer help section of an art site I frequent and get some more suggestions for you.

1. Pick "Properties". This opens up the "Display Properties" window.
2. Settings tab
3. Make sure you have colour quality set to "highest (32 bit). Use the drop down arrow to pick it if it isn't already set there.
4. Appearance tab
5. Click on "Effects" (another window pops up)
6. Make sure you have a check mark in the "use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" and that you have "ClearType" chosen from the drop down menu.
7. Click "OK" (this should leave only the "Display Properties" window)
8. In the "Display Properties" Appearance Tab, where it shows "Font size", use the drop down to pick "Normal" if it isn't already chosen.
9. Click "OK"

Let me know if this helps.

Also, did you make any changes to your browser options to do with Fonts?

blueyedgirl5946 · May 1, 2011

Originally Posted by Natalie_ca

Ok. I'm running out of suggestions. This is the first time I've encountered this and I've helped several people set up their wide screen monitors.

If this doesn't work, I'll post in the computer help section of an art site I frequent and get some more suggestions for you.

1. Pick "Properties". This opens up the "Display Properties" window.
2. Settings tab
3. Make sure you have colour quality set to "highest (32 bit). Use the drop down arrow to pick it if it isn't already set there.
4. Appearance tab
5. Click on "Effects" (another window pops up)
6. Make sure you have a check mark in the "use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts" and that you have "ClearType" chosen from the drop down menu.
7. Click "OK" (this should leave only the "Display Properties" window)
8. In the "Display Properties" Appearance Tab, where it shows "Font size", use the drop down to pick "Normal" if it isn't already chosen.
9. Click "OK"

Let me know if this helps.

Also, did you make any changes to your browser options to do with Fonts?

Natalie,
I have made the following changes.
I changed DPI to 120
I changed font to large
I figured out to make the change you just wrote about on the clear type.

I can go back and change the font to normal if you say I need to do that.

Also, I don't know if this helped me or not. Under internet options I changed
webpage font from Times New Roman to Tahoma and I changed plain text from Courier to Lucida Console.

Thanks for your help. I hope we can figure this out. I will go back in and check what you wrote about the color quality.

natalie_ca · May 1, 2011

Originally Posted by blueyedgirl5946

Also, I don't know if this helped me or not. Under internet options I changed
webpage font from Times New Roman to Tahoma and I changed plain text from Courier to Lucida Console.

That might be your problem. Go back and change those back to Times new Roman and Courier as they were before.

Decision --- What to do

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