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        New Message Board Archives >> 2006 General Board Posts >> Wanted: Computer Tech Help
        
(Message started by: unsolved1 on May 26^th, 2006, 2:11pm)

Title: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by unsolved1 on May 26^th, 2006, 2:11pm

Okay, I consider myself pretty good with a computer .. but this is a getting ridiculous ! I've never had this problem before.

Not everytime, but many times, when I log onto my 'side' of the comp ( I share w/ my son), my screen size and shape is completely wacked! Too big, too small, the sides of the screen are 'sqeezed' inwards. WTH ?? I keep fixing it and fixing it. Why would this keep happening ??

How can I keep my screen size and shape the way it should be ? I need to be able to see the "File" button/menu, I need to see the "Start" menu button, I want to see the red "X" close button.

Someone HELP !! [smiley=huh.gif] :-/

UNsolved

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Tom K on May 26^th, 2006, 2:23pm

Sounds like a vid card issue. Drivers updated? If you are running an ATI card, find the Catylist dashboard for it. Had some of the same problems with my vid card and installed the Cat, they pretty much went away. HTH

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by ExplodingEyeBall on May 26^th, 2006, 3:03pm

I bet your son plays a lot of video games on the computer. Sounds like he's changing the resolution when he gets on it.

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by superhawk2300 on May 26^th, 2006, 5:27pm

I agree with eyeball - someone is changing your resolution either on purpose or un-be-knownst to them via an application.

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by unsolved1 on May 26^th, 2006, 5:35pm

My son says he doesn't change it ever. He never plays any online or computer games. ( He sticks with his PS2 ) He does have the same problem on his side too.

When we got this new comp, we kept the same monitor. We've had problems with it just about ever since.

Additional note: This really doesn't bother me much, but it may be related.

You know how you can name your computer ..."Mary's Computer" or whatever ... So, on the welcome screen down at the bottom on the left side it would say "Turn Off Mary's Computer" ... ... Well, I named mine "The Damn Computer" so it should say "Turn Off The damn Computer" ... Sometimes it'll change the name ... It'll just say "Turn Off The Computer" [smiley=huh.gif] WTH ??

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Opus on May 26^th, 2006, 6:17pm

It sounds like your install of Microsoft Windows is loosing or corrupting the video driver, or the monitor driver, and is defaulting to VGA at 600X800 resolution. Try reinstalling both drivers. If that doesn't work there is always room for more on the good side of the Source.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Opus on May 26^th, 2006, 6:25pm

on 05/26/06 at 17:35:13, unsolved1 wrote:

... Well, I named mine "The Damn Computer" so it should say "Turn Off The damn Computer" ... Sometimes it'll change the name ... It'll just say "Turn Off The Computer" [smiley=huh.gif] WTH ??

Perhaps Bill saw it and changed it for you, thinking it was a slip because the word "damn" and Microsoft should never go together in his eyes.

Opus/Paul

Title: Well it does sound lRe: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Mattrf on May 26^th, 2006, 11:57pm

Well it does sound like a video driver problem. Right click on the my computer icon and select manage. Then go to device manager and look at the video card and see what it is then go to there web site and down load the latest driver and install it. Also if you right click the computer icon and go to properties you should be able to change the name of the computer. ;;D

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Kirk on May 27^th, 2006, 7:46am

If you are running Microsoft's NT 5.1 With their Windows XP systems manager GUI. Your best bet is to get a new video driver. Or write one. Their dual kernel operating systems has issues with a lot of drivers. NT 5.0 was a real pain 5.1 has come a long way, but they have been concentrating on their new system which is 3 years late now. So you will have to hope your card company has found a work around.

Ofcourse I'm guessing what your're using for an operating system and windows manager. It could be AIX, QNX, HP-UX, DOS, NT, or Linux operating system using XP, KDE, GNOME, Nextstep, Nextstep2, Ice or some other windows manager.

Better yet. What operating system and Windows are you using. And which Video card. Also the driver version for the system you're using?

Oh never mind you probably have already figured it out.
by now.

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by ShadowLord on May 27^th, 2006, 2:18pm

If the edges of the desktop is past the edge of your visible monitor screen, or your screen geometry is screwed up, it sounds like the monitor configuration is messed up rather than the video card configuration. It's possible that your monitor is not retaining the settings when you turn off the power and either defaulting to factory settings, or just pulling corrupt settings. In the good old days, these settings were controlled by dials, and stored machanically, but most monitors still functioning these days do all the settings electronically so that they may be controlled by the OS (PnP monitors) and the settings are stored on a chip in the monitor. If either the controller, or the chip is going bad, there's not much you can do to fix it other than take it to a technician to repair (unless you know what you are doing, you should not work on a monitor yourself under any circumstances).

Another possibility is that the monitor driver that Windoze is using is not precisely correct or corrupted, and you need to install a proper driver.

About the "Turn off <name>" thing... You're runnin' Winblowz... It's not a bug, it's a feature... Don't ask me why it's too dumb to actually pull the name everytime, but it's normal.

PFDAN................................................. ShadowLord

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Jonny on May 27^th, 2006, 2:46pm

While you place your left hand on the monitor, wrap your dick in tinfoil and stick it in an electrical socket. That should jolt the system back to normal.

Hey!, works for me [smiley=laugh.gif]

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by wildhaus on May 27^th, 2006, 2:53pm

on 05/27/06 at 14:46:14, Jonny wrote:

While you place your left hand on the monitor, wrap your dick in tinfoil and stick it in an electrical socket. [smiley=laugh.gif]

and you can still use the ~~dick~~ socket later?
[smiley=laugh.gif] not going to try it.... still have a use for my ~~dick~~ socket ::)

my wife just got to see this one...... oopsss..... :-X

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by unsolved1 on May 27^th, 2006, 5:01pm

on 05/27/06 at 14:46:14, Jonny wrote:

While you place your left hand on the monitor, wrap your dick in tinfoil and stick it in an electrical socket. That should jolt the system back to normal.

Hey!, works for me [smiley=laugh.gif]

not quite sure exactly what you mean Jonny. Could you please demonstrate this techinque for all of us here to see ??

LOL ... You should be a computer tech !!

UNsolved

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by sailpappy on May 27^th, 2006, 8:21pm

;;D I could sit here and touch on the many things it could be, the easiest thing is to go to Microsofts Knowledge base and search for the problem. they have technical help for novice users to Techs. I just about promise this will be a helpfull site for you to check out. I have been able to solve a multitude of problems for all my systems through this site!

http://support.microsoft.com/

Pappy

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Kirk on May 28^th, 2006, 4:24am

I tried that site once Sailpappy. Prozac helped me over the experience.
[smiley=smokin.gif]

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Dragnlance on May 28^th, 2006, 12:26pm

Depending on what you have, it could be a monitor issue. Example: HP MX70 is a CRT type monitor, which after a couple years, develops "shrinking picture syndrome". This is a known issue with older TVs and some computer Monitors. If it is an HP 1703 flat panel, this happens too, because the power module is under powered for the device. It will soon burn out. Since HP and Compaq are part of the same corp. you can expect to see this with both brands.
Emachines has a couple of monitors that also have simular issues.
If you have one, try a different monitor to see if the problem persists.

If you are changing the screen size and such from the buttons on the monitor, this issue is a monitor failure. If you are using the software on the computer in the display properties, then it could very well be a software driver issue. That is not 100% however, as some video cards have issues like that when they get too hot, or are coming out of the expansion slot if it is a 3rd party card and not built into the board.
Hope this helps a little

Dragn

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by unsolved1 on May 28^th, 2006, 12:44pm

Thanks everybody. I updated the driver for my video card ( ATI Radeon Xpress 200 series) and the screen display is no longer changing on me ... however ... I was unable to get the shape back to it's original shape. The screen is curved inwards towards the bottom of the screen on both sides. If I can't get it get it fixed correctly, I will change monitors to see if it fixes this problem. I am currently using an emachines monitor. ( NOTE TO EVERYONE: NEVER BUY EMACHINES ANYTHING! IF YOU HAVE AN EMACHINE NOW, PLEASE READ THIS http://www.computerhope.com/disposal.htm) I will try my Gateway monitor next.

UNsolved

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by Opus on May 28^th, 2006, 1:46pm

You adjust the geometry on the monitor itself. The driver can do some of it but it is better to adjust using the monitor. First adjust the size to fit your screen, you will have to do size, position, size position to get it right. Then you can adjust the shape, pin cushion, or trapezoid, until the picture is square. Once you are done with that you will have to probably readjust size and position again.

Of course if you have already tried this then disregard.

It's hard to believe all the monitors I have seen where the window does fill the screen. I have even seen so called computer techs with black borders. Of course when LCD takes hold those problems will go away.

Opus/Paul

Title: Re: Wanted: Computer Tech Help
Post by superhawk2300 on May 29^th, 2006, 11:32am

If your monitor is dyin and you want another I can send you a 17" CRT type for free if you pickup the shipping.

That being said you may be able to buy a new one locally for only a little more than this would cost to ship to you, but if money is tight all I have to do is go to one of my offices and pick one up.

Lemme know if you are interested.

Or if you are coming to the convention by car you could pick it up then - I live close by.

Jamey