Display blurry when I drop to 1280x1024. Please help.

[Paradigm]

This should be my last post about computer issues. I'd like to thank those of you who have offered help, particularly Astroglide. I put in my new HD and this thing is blazing fast. There is one issue. I have installed all of my hardware drivers, but it defaults my laptop resolution at 1600x1200. That's just too damn small for my eyes. When I try to change the resolution to 1280x1024, it gets blurry.

I called Dell Tech Support (I have an Inspiron 5150) to ask about this problem. It was the case on the latest HD I installed as well. He asked if I installed the chipset drivers first, and I said no. So, I reformatted the HD (I know, it was a bit much, but this whole thing seemed unusual) and reinstalled the Intel Chipset drivers first, but the video resolution still won't switch to anything lower than 1600x1200 without being blurry.

Can anybody help? Please? I'm truly appreciative of everybody's help.

[OrcaDK]

This is a "problem" you've gotta live with. All TFT monitors are made for a native resolution, 1600x1200 in your case. All other resolutions will be blurry, and there's nothing you can do about it, sorry.

[astroglide]

what you're most likely describing is an unfortunate 'feature' of lcds. a brief description is at http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Native_resolution

since 1280x1024 isn't a 4:3 resolution like 1600x1200, you may find things better at 1024x768 if you can tolerate the lack of space.

as an alternative to lowering your resolution you could try adjusting the font size under your display properties (appearance). if you increase the general dpi under advanced properties it can screw with various poker clients, so that would probably be out as a suggestion. various apps have specific font settings you could apply as well.

[Paradigm]

I understand that certain LCD's have default resolutions, but I've had this laptop for nearly three years and I have not used it at a 1600x1200 resolution. Unless something strangely wrong has occurred with my eyes, I can't explain it. I'm just absolutely positive that I was using this laptop at a lower resolution than the one it has defaulted to, because this is just absurdely small.

[astroglide]

if it's changed drastically it's gotta be something like a font setting or you were using a slightly better-looking 4:3 resolution like 1024x768. are you sure 1600x1200 is the native resolution, by the way? that's a fairly uncommon one for modern laptops.

[Paradigm]

this must be the "native resolution" since it's the resolution it started up with when I installed the driver.

it can't be a font setting i was using -- i can't recall drastically changing anything about the fonts. yes, it seems very uncommon. though this is a UXGA screen (i think it was the top of the line before the shiny screens) it was never at 1600x1200.

for some reason the properties says that this is set up for "multiple monitors" and it has the 2nd monitor ghosted. i am having a bitch of a time navigating the ATI Radeon properties, but i can't find a way to switch from this multiple monitor setting. that could have something to do with it.

astroglide, thanks for your thoughts. btw this hitachi HD really is speedy.

[astroglide]

well definitely try 1024x768 instead of 1280x1024. as far as font changes go, it's just a drop-down box, nothing drastic. it will still impact things even if you don't drill into specific apps for changes.

the 2nd monitor thing is just your external output. it allows you to use your laptop screen as monitor 1 and the external output (either via a standard monitor out or svideo) as monitor 2.

glad the hard drive worked out well.

[Paradigm]

1024x768 is massive -- the icons remind me of the enlarged world in Super Mario Brothers 3.

I can put in the "extra large" fonts for 1600x1200 but it doesn't solve the fact that 1280x1024 is blurry. I need to research a bit more.

[PLOlover]

mine is blurry at the default 75 refresh rate but not at the 60 refresh rate. lcd.

[tigerite]

The DPI thing can be fixed by using EyeRelief. Keep the default at 96, use EyeRelief to go to 130%, and both problems are solved. It's freeware.

[CORed]

[ QUOTE ]
1024x768 is massive -- the icons remind me of the enlarged world in Super Mario Brothers 3.

I can put in the "extra large" fonts for 1600x1200 but it doesn't solve the fact that 1280x1024 is blurry. I need to research a bit more.

[/ QUOTE ]

Boy, you younguns are sure spoiled. I remember Windows 3.1 on VGA. 640 x 480 resolution and 16, count 'em 16 colors. I also had to walk five miles to school through three feet of snow and it was uphill both ways.

Sorry, I just turned 50 and can't help lapsing into old fart mode.