Windows XP for Home Users, Service Pack 2 Edition

Windows has always enabled you to change the resolution and number of colors displayed on your computer screen. Windows XP works like previous versions in this regard, and adds the capability to improve the look of LCD displays via the new ClearType technology.

Changing the Display Resolution

Assuming you have a powerful enough video card, you can configure your computer's display to run at a variety of screen resolutions. Be sure you've selected the proper display setup for your video card; however if you set up your display to run at a higher resolution than your card is capable of, you could end up with a lot of gibberish on your screen, and could even damage your monitor.

To change the resolution of your desktop display, follow these steps:

1.

From the Control Panel, click the Display icon. (You can also right-click anywhere on the desktop and select Properties from the pop-up menu.)

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To get the most out of Windows XP, I recommend that you configure your system to at least 1024 x 768 resolution, running at least 16-bit color and if your video card can handle it, crank the color quality all the way up to the highest setting. (Windows XP looks best with 32-bit color.) Naturally, you'll need a 17-inch or larger CRT monitor or 15-inch or larger LCD flat-screen display to handle this resolution, which is another one of my recommendations.

2.

When the Display Properties utility appears, select the Settings tab (see Figure 2.4).

Figure 2.4. Access the Display Properties utility from the Control Panel, or by right-clicking the desktop and choosing Properties.

3.

To change the resolution of your display, adjust the Screen Resolution slider. (The sample display changes to reflect your new settings.)

4.

To change the number of colors displayed (more is better), choose the desired setting from the Color Quality drop-down list.

5.

Click OK to activate your new display settings.

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To confirm your video card configuration, click the Advanced button to display the Advanced Display Properties dialog box, and then click the Adapter tab.

Some video drivers add new tabs to the Display Properties dialog box. If so, you need to click this driver-specific tab to make changes to certain video and display properties.

Enabling ClearType

ClearType is a new display technology that effectively triples the horizontal resolution on LCD displays. (In other words, it makes things look sharper and smoother.) If you have a flat-panel monitor or a portable PC, you definitely want to turn on ClearType.

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Some computers (laptops, especially) come with additional ClearType fine tuning. If you find a ClearType Tuning icon in your Control Panel, click it to display the ClearType Settings utility. From here you can run the ClearType Tuning Wizard, which takes you step-by-step through some basic ClearType calibration similar to the "which looks better?" tests of a typical eye exam.

To turn on ClearType, follow these steps:

1.

From the Display Properties utility, select the Appearance tab.

2.

Click the Effects button.

3.

When the Effects dialog box appears, check the Use the Following Method to Smooth Edges of Screen Fonts option, and select ClearType from the pull-down list.

4.

Click OK, and then click OK again.

Setting Up Windows for Two Monitors

Some computer-related activities are easier if you can see two things at once. For example, programmers might like to see their code on one monitor, and the results of that code on a second screen. If you're running a PowerPoint presentation, you could use one monitor to display your presentation, and a second monitor to display your private notes.

If you have two monitors and two video cards installed in your system, you can configure Windows XP to run two separate displays. Just follow these steps:

1.

Be sure that when you install Windows XP, you have only one video card installed in your system. After Windows XP installation is complete, shut down your computer and add the second display card to your system, following the installation instructions from the card's manufacturer.

2.

From the Control Panel, click the Display icon.

3.

After you've installed your second video card, the Display Settings dialog box has a new tab, labeled Monitors, that replaces the standard Settings tab. Select the Monitors tab.

4.

Your primary monitor should already be configured properly. Select the secondary display/monitor combination, and choose to Use This Device as Part of the Desktop. Set the other properties as appropriate, dragging the screen images to set relative screen placement for the two monitors.

5.

To change the resolution of the second monitor, click the Settings button and make the appropriate changes.

6.

Click OK to register your changes.

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