Fixing Screen Resolution Errors

The term 'screen resolution' refers to the number of picture elements, known as 'pixels', that your monitor displays. Common resolutions have acronyms representing the number of horizontal pixels by the number of vertical pixels.

Identifying and attributing screen resolution errors

If you've been suffering from computer errors, you may notice that when you log in to your computer, your icons and text appear much larger than usual. Your mouse cursor may appear grainy, and in extreme cases, parts of your desktop will be hidden from view. These screen resolution errors are almost always caused by one of the following issues:

In rich 2D applications, like Photoshop and Flash, and full 3D applications, like videogames and rendering software, you may experience screen resolution errors because of errors with the following services:

Repairing screen resolution errors

If your text and icons appear much larger than usual, or are grainy around the edges, the first step you should take is ensuring that your display settings reflect the manufacturer's recommendation for your monitor. Navigate to the monitor's manufacturer's website and note what your screen's native or supported resolution ranges are. Next, right-click on the desktop and choose "Properties". Choose the "Settings" tab, and move the slider marked "Screen Resolution" so it matches your monitor's recommended resolution. Press "Apply" and note the changes.

If you were unable to fix your resolution error by modifying the display properties, you may need to reinstall your video drivers. Find the manufacturer of your video card and locate their website for the latest download of your graphics card drivers.

Finally, if your other applications are causing screen resolution errors, you should update your version of the OpenGL, DirectX, and GDI applications. OpenGL updates are typically packaged with your latest device drivers. DirectX and GDI updates are available from Microsoft.

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