Why has my desktop screen shrunk?
Sunday, 20 February, 2005
My desktop screen has shrunk and it doesn't fit across the monitor. I've tried fixing this with the function settings and display settings.
Can you please help?
(Originally posted July 2004)
Anthony Grimlinger, Pinjarra, WA
 With a Pentium MMX processor, 32M of RAM and Windows 98 I can tell that’s a quite old computer system you have there Anthony. Have you tried using the ‘Horizontal size’ control on the monitor itself? Has it failed to make a difference?
If there is no horizontal size adjustment control on the monitor itself, then the only option is internal adjustment which would have to be performed by a technician. I’m sure you could pick up another, reasonable quality secondhand monitor for about the same amount of money as that would cost. CRT monitors are very cheap nowadays.
What is the screen resolution set to? If it is 800x600 try setting it back to 640x480. If that makes the display go back to covering the full width of the screen you simply have an old monitor which is incapable of displaying the higher screen resolution. (I have a couple of old 14" monitors out in my own back shed like that. At 640x480 they're fine, but try to use 800x600 and the display goes wonky!)
But the real answer I should be giving you is this. If that old computer system meets your needs that’s fine. But it sounds like your monitor is nearing the end of its useful life. You should try borrowing another, good monitor to confirm that your PC displays correctly on it, and if so it’s time to replace your monitor. You can now purchase adequate 17" monitors for as low as $160, and one of those would be a treat for you to use. If that falls outside your available budget, then refurbished secondhand monitors can be purchased for less cost. Check the ‘Sponsored links’ in the side panel of this Froogle Search for some examples of where they can be obtained.
(You often see orphan monitors for sale cheap in electronics chain stores and computers stores. Especially if they came with a system but the purchaser wanted LCD instead. -Paul Zucker)
Cheers, Terry O'Shanassy
 Reader solutions
FredPosted: 09/03/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? Hi Anthony -
All these guys want you to tear up your machine or spend money. I had the same problem. Look for a Function key (Fn) and a Color-coordinated "Font" key (mine is F7). Hold the Fn key and press the "Font" key. Toggles back and forth. Mine is also an Inspiron and I had the same suspicion (son playing a game). Sherri LeydenPosted: 02/03/2005 N E 1 know? I am using a Dell Inspiron 8000 (laptop) as well with decent hardware and software. I think my son was "playing" on the computer, when I looked the desktop display shrunk. This must be a key command or display option. Anyone know? Aussie in francePosted: 25/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? As lee sed earlier,it could be a resistor gone high,OR,the auto updates are not compatible with the os,and there are a million and one stories on the web!!!
Try deleting the updates and see what happens,most geeks wait for an update package and then update!!
I,myself do the same,my auto update is disabled!!! JohnPosted: 25/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? I have the same problem and none is interested in trying to fix it for me . I have been given three monitors by friends that are also useless. I bough ttwo at auction, only to dscover why they had chucked them out !!. However, I have found that my standard A4 writing pad is still the same size as the day I bought it and that it is showing NO SIGN if shrinkage. Biros are cheaper than ink re-fills and that I actually enjoy not having to search my keyboard for the correct letters that I am wanting to use and a heck of a lot cheaper than broadband. I am actually considering throwing the whole lot in the bin and becoming a normal human being again. LukePosted: 24/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? Buy a new computer. It usually works. leePosted: 23/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? your horizontal IC dead, but not buy IC in the electronics store 25 bucks, but know to read the diagram to track the position of the IC , do soldering.Because of the age some components as resistors, capacitor related worn out too.The voltage of CRT is depend on size of screen, bigger with higher voltage from 17" not 50kV, but 15kV.I gave up electronics technician 6years ago, after 3years in study because everything is cheap not worth to fixed now Paul B. GuyPosted: 22/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? If this happened without adjusting the refresh rate or resolution settings then the monitor has a problem with the EHT (Extra High Tension). It's highly likely that a resistor has gone high causing a reduction in the output voltage making the screen size smaller. You'll be unlikely to get someone to service it and if you do the cost will make it not worth doing. Time to stick it outside for the council to collect I'm afraid. andrew peter collinsPosted: 21/02/2005 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? hi Anthony. if your monitor is doing this at this age, it's time to get professional help to adjust the convergence or but a new LCD monitor if you can afford it. i cannot stress this enough..DO NOT, I REPEAT DO NOT try to adjust the convergence of a cathode ray tube (CRT) driven monitor by yourself! these units often have up to 50.000 volts inside and with the voltage triplers for each colour you effectively have up to 150.000 volts inside the cover of your screen. bite the bullet and get professional help. its just too dangerous, cheers Andy. jeffPosted: 19/02/2005 OSD Rules I just bought a 17" (refurBished) monitor recently.
With 'On-Screen' control functions.
And XP picked it up, as the monitor it is (not the 'default monitor')
I had to adjust the screen-size a bit, to be comfortable with it, otherwise it is working just fine for me.
Cost= 70 bucks.
Suggest you do the same?
JBPosted: 02/08/2004 re: Why has my desktop screen shrunk? I have the same problem on a dell inspiron 8000 notebook running XP pro with an 850 pentium processer. and this problem occured after a windows update. and cannot find anyone who can fix it. David MillerPosted: 01/08/2004 My Desktop Shrunk too... I am using a Dell Inspiron 8000 (laptopt). 300+ MB of RAM, 900 MHZ, decent hardware and software. At any rate, I am using Windows XP and as some may know, it updates itself often enough, automatically. I received an update recently that claimed to fix problem such-and-such. Well, when I restarted my computer, the screen was shrunk. I think the Monitor is around 16 or 17", and the actual screen used is around 14 or 15". How can I get this fixed? Or, is the problem solved through technical assisstance as well? |