Changing Display Settings, Background Image, and Screen Saver in Windows Vista

Changing Display Settings, Background Image, and Screen Saver in Windows Vista


Changing the amount of colors and resolution (size of desktop)
Changing the desktop background
Changing the screen saver
Changing the appearance of windows and text
Advanced display settings

This Document pertains to HP and Compaq Desktop PCs with Windows Vista.
Changing the amount of colors and resolution (size of desktop)
To change the display settings, follow the procedure below:
The size and the shape of the desktop can be adjusted to your personal preferences. During a normal Vista installation, the program tests the graphics card and displays the optimal size and resolution. To change the display settings, follow the procedure below:
Right-click the desktop background, and select Personalize.
Select Display Settings to open the Display Settings window.

Figure 1: Windows Vista Display Settings
From the Monitor tab click the image of the monitor that you want to adjust. If you only have one monitor attached, click rectangle labeled 1. If you want to adjust a second display device that is connected to the computer, click 2.
To change the screen area size for the selected monitor, drag the slider under Screen resolution. Drag the slider to the left to decrease the screen area, making icons and text appear larger, or drag the slider to the right to increase the screen size area, making icons and text appear smaller.
To change the number of colors, select a color setting from the Colors dropdown list. If available, Highest 32-bit should be selected for best compatibility, but lower settings can be made if colors are incorrect when using a particular software application.
Click OK. A confirmation window open. Click Yes to save the settings, or No to cancel the change.
Changing the desktop background
To change the pattern or wallpaper on the screen, follow these steps:
Right-click the desktop background, and select Personalize.
Select Desktop Background to open the settings window.

Figure 2: Windows Vista background selection
To change the desktop image, select one of the standard backgrounds, or click Browse and navigate to a picture stored on the computer. To use a personal picture as a background, save the picture in a file format with one of the following extensions: .bmp, .gif, .jpg, .DIB, .png.
Select an icon under "How should the picture be positioned?":
Enlarge the graphic to fit the entire screen if necessary.
Tile copies of the same image at the native size so that they fill the entire background.
Center the graphic in the middle of the screen and use a solid color to fill in the remaining space at the edges of the background.
After making the adjustments, click OK to save the settings and close the Display Properties window.
Changing the screen saver
Windows is preloaded with a number of screen savers. Screen savers help prevent stationary images from burning a ghost image into the phospors of CRT monitors. They are also used to show entertainment when the computer is not being used. To change the screen saver, follow these steps:
Right-click the desktop background, and select Personalize.
Select Screen Saver to open the settings window.

Figure 3: Scren Saver Settings window
Select the screen saver to be used from the menu.
Click Settings to open a setting window for the selected screen saver (if settings are available).
Click Preview to see how the screen saver will appear on the computer screen. Move the mouse to return to the Display Properties panel when finished.
Enter the number of minutes in the Wait field. This is the number of minutes of inactivity that needs to pass before the screen saver opens.
Select On resume, display logon screen if you want the logon screen to open when anyone attempts to use the computer after the screen saver opens.
Click OK to save the settings and close the Display Properties window.
Changing the appearance of windows and text
Appearance refers to the colors that are used by Windows for the default text color, text background color, window border color, title bar color, and many other elements. To change the appearance of your screen, follow these steps:
Right-click the desktop background, and select Personalize.
If a "Window Color and Appearance" window opens, click Open classic appearance properties for more color options.
An Appearance window opens.

Figure 4: Appearance window
Select a color scheme that you want from the list. Use the preview window to help you make your selection. If the preview is not exactly what you want, select the closest match. You can modify the look of Widows in further detail in the next steps.
Click Advanced. The Advanced Appearance window opens.

In the Item list, click the element to be change, such as Window, Menu, or Scrollbar, and then adjust the appropriate settings, such as color, font, or font size. Changes affect the item chosen. For example, if you change the font while menu is selected, the selected font will change for all Windows menus, but not in other items, such as icon labels or message boxes.
Click OK to close the Advanced Appearance window, then click OK to save your changes.
Advanced display settings
Right-click the desktop background, and select Personalize, click the settings tab and then click the Advance Settings button. A properties window appears titled with the name of the graphics hardware used. Refer to the various settings that are available from the tabs across the top of the top of the Properties window:
NOTE:
Your computer may have more tabs than what is listed here. Many video card manufacturers provide settings designed for their video hardware. These extra settings vary by the type of video hardware used and are not discussed here.
Adapter
Monitor
Troubleshoot
Color management

Adapter
Properties: To access the hardware properties for your video card or on-board video hardware, click the Properties button. This is the same properties window that can be accessed through Device Manager.
List all Modes: This useful feature lists all the supported graphic resolutions and refresh rates that can be sent to the monitor by the video card or on-board video hardware. You can use the list of valid modes to find a mode that is compatible with the monitor you are using. Once a compatible mode is found, you can change the refresh rate from the monitor tab, and the display resolution from the settings tab of the basic display properties window.

Figure 5: Adapter tab
Monitor
Properties: To access the hardware properties for your monitor, click the Properties button. This is the same properties window that can be accessed through Device Manager.
Screen refresh rate: This setting determines how many times the monitor displays an entire screen in one second. Higher refresh rates may be more pleasing to the eye, but cause the video hardware to work harder and use more resources. Select a lower rate that is compatible with the adapter. If you can detect minute flickering or the change bothers your eyes, try adjusting the rate to the next available higher rate. Never exceed the rate available to the monitor.
CAUTION:
Do not remove the selection next to Hide modes that this monitor cannot display. Changing the refresh rate to a rate that the monitor cannot accept may permanently damage some monitors.

Figure 6: Monitor tab
Troubleshoot
Change Settings: the video hardware in the computer may contain options that you can use to help overcome specific graphics issues. In most cases, the video driver will add additional tabs to the Advance Display Properties window, but some video hardware drivers may allow you access their settings from this button.

Color management
Color management: Provides settings to alter the color output to the monitor. Typically you would not use color management unless a special situation called for it, such as matching the colors on the monitor to the colors on a printer. Adjusting this setting changes the color out put for everything displayed in Windows and should only be done if needed.