Computer Question::::::

[Don G]

I bought a new Dell Monitor yesterday after our 9 year old monitor went out..The new monitor came with a disk that has User Documentation & Drivers on it...Do I have to uninstall the drivers associated with the old monitor or just "run" the new disk...?

Also, this is a larger screen and seems to be a little out of focus and fuzzy...Old eyes maybe...Is there anything I can do to get it in focus..

Thanks..

[ShellQuacker]

Does the monitor have any "buttons" on it? Like "menu" etc? Sometimes you can adjust properties from there.
Or, right click on your desktop (with no programs up) and choose "properties".
You can change the appearance there.
I didn't install any new software when I hooked up this new monitor. Just plugged it in.
Hope this helps, or at least isn't confusing.

[fishingpox]

I have Dell also. i didn't have to load software. Like ShellQuacker said, my screen resolution is 1024 by 768 pixels, color quality 32 bit

[AgriHawg]

Depending on how old your computer is you probably don't HAVE to install the software. However, it might allow you to make the adjustments to get the monitor back in focus. Or like what was said already check to see if the monitor has any buttons on it to change the settings.

Also, you don't have to uninstall the old drivers. Although doing so might help keep your computer uncluttered. Uninstalling anything old thats not used can help speed your computer up. Although you may or may not notice any difference in the speed.

[CrappiePappy]

I would think that, given that the monitor came with a disc ... that it's packaged for use with systems other than a Dell. It probably wouldn't hurt to hook the monitor up, and run the drivers disc ... usually the old drivers are uninstalled by the disc's program, then the new drivers are installed in their place. Even if they don't uninstall the old driver info, it won't be much in the way of wasted space ... probably only a few mb's, at best.

What monitor did you get ?? Flat panel ?? I got a 19" flat panel with my latest/new PC ... and it's worlds apart from the old 17" CRT monitor

I run mine at 1680 x 1050 resolution, and 32bit Color.

The other guys are right .... there should be some buttons on the monitor, to tweak your color, brightness, contrast, etc.
I've got 4 buttons on mine :
Auto Detect (analog input)
Menu ... for setting color/positioning (centering)the screen/factory default
Brightness/Contrast
Auto Adjust

Pretty simple and straightforward to use ... I just set them when I put the system together, and they've been that way ever since

... cp

[superdave1984]

I doubt you need to install anything for the monitor. What you may need to do however is to update your drivers for your video card to be able to use the better resolution settings.

[Don G]

Thank you all for the help...

CP, I bought a Dell SE198WFP....19' screen....much better than old CRT

Hannah, our granddaughter, 12 years old went online with Dell..She said it was online chat ...Found out that my 9 year old Dell Video Card( I think it is the same as a graphics card) would not support the high resolution, 1440 x 900, of the new monitor...Came to the conclusion that I need a new video card...That being said, I think it might be new computer time....

Hannah said the Dell Rep told her that Windows 7 has been released and it was great....Anyone using Windows 7?

I guess I have opened a can of worms..:D I might be buying 2 new computers...Hannah sure is excited.....Glad Doris agreed to substitute teach today..

Thanks again for all the help....This is a great board....

[Cane Pole]

Even with a new computer, I had to run the old man Microsoft program.....

Download the Clear Type Tuner Power Toy from Microsoft (free) xp or Vista ?? maybe

Also Download the image resizer too it you want to resize pictures. free



Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

cleartype will put an icon in the control panel. click on it anytime and follow the wizard.



right click on any picture and scroll to resize pictures then select the size the click OK.

Us oldies need all the help we can muster.

[superdave1984]

Windows 7 has not been released as a finished product yet. They did release it for public testing, but I wasn't quick enough to get the download. If you have at least a 2 Ghz processor, get a new video card and add some RAM instead of buying a new PC. But since your PC is 9 years old, I doubt it is worth putting much money into. Wal Mart has the lowest prices on computers that I have seen for an out of the box system. You can even get one with XP if you want. Oh did I mention I hate Vista?

[Cane Pole]

Yep..............Draws donuts like a 997 GPS