# Computer Question (Not in the sticky)
**URL:** https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159
**Category:** Factual Questions
**Created:** [July 21, 2004, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159 "2004-07-21T11:04:54Z")
**Posts on this page:** 5
**Page:** 1
### Author:  [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2004, 11:04am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159/1 "2004-07-21T11:04:54Z")
You know how the monitor usually contains a few buttons that can be used to adjust the picture? Size, width, height, position, geometry, etc? Well, I have a slight problem here that I need help with.
I need to decrease the width of the picture so as to make it fit the screen, but I cant: the slider is already at the zero minimum. What can I do to reduce it even further? Because at the moment, my scroll-bar (on the right) and the Start button (on the left) are almost completely outside the screen. It’s very annoying.
Help, please?
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### Author:  [@mbacko1](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/mbacko1)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2004, 12:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159/2 "2004-07-21T12:07:48Z")
Your video card may have a way in the driver to adjust the displayable screen area. I’m assuming that you are using some flavor of Windows (this description is from an XP machine). You may have an icon on your toolbar for video settings or you can right click on the desktop, then select properties, then settings, then click on advanced button, then look through the tabs for a control that allows screen geometry to be changed.
If this doesn’t work you can try changing the screen resolution to something else and that may solve the problem.
Another possibility is that your monitor or video card is about to die.
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### Author:  [@Achilles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Achilles)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2004, 1:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159/3 "2004-07-21T13:33:36Z")
Set your screen resolution to a higher level, e.g. change it from 640 x 480, to 1024 x 768 or higher…
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### Author:  [@slinkydink](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/slinkydink)
#### Post date: [July 21, 2004, 4:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159/4 "2004-07-21T16:57:48Z")
If you don’t want to change your resolution you can also try changing your refresh rate.
Under XP:
Right-click on the Desktop and select \*\*Properties \*\* from the pop-up menu. Then select the \*\*Settings \*\* tab, click on **Advanced** , and then select the \*\*Monitor \*\* tab
Now change your “Screen Refresh Rate” to something between 75-100Hz
Every increment should give you different results, so it the first doesn’t work, try the next
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### Author:  [@Aankh](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Aankh)
#### Post date: [July 22, 2004, 2:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/computer-question-not-in-the-sticky/256159/5 "2004-07-22T14:22:24Z")
Screen res is already 1024 x 768, **Achilles** …any more and my eyes hurt!
**slinkydink** , I got an acceptable compromise at 72Hz. Everything isn’t fully in yet, but it’s good enough that I don’t have to do mouse gymnastics anymore. Thank you!
> [@mbacko1](#):
>
> Another possibility is that your monitor or video card is about to die.
Hush, you! :eek: