Re: New monitor/bad resolution

["Raphael Tennenbaum" raphael@xxxxxxxx]

the issue likelier to be with the graphics card, which since it's a Dell could be
proprietary. however, if it will take a regular card, they're not ridiculously expensive
-- you can make do with one for about a hundred bucks, I'd guess offhand.

but a little search turned up this exchange, which suggests that all that you need
to do is upgrade the driver:

http://discussions.hardwarecentral.com/showthread.php?t=178779

hopefully that will solve your problems.

on the other hand, it's very possible that since you're using Windows ME, those
drivers are unavailable. if that's the case, you probably ought to consider whether
it's worth the trouble buying and installing a new graphics card, tweaking the
settings, and hoping that it looks okay -- or, if maybe it's just time to get a new
computer.

-rafe t.


On Mon, 29 Dec 2008 18:53:24 -0500, Leslie Savan wrote:

>Harry,
>
>Starting with your last question below: How does my basic C:prompt (MS-DOS)
box look? It doesn't look like Flash's screenshot, which is: "Xy3+" Properties, then
across the top: Option, Font, Layout, Color. Mine reads: "MS-Dos Editor," then:
Program, Font, Memory, Screen, Misc. No matter which way I enter Xy/DOS, the
Properties box looks the same. Likewise, I'm not able to find Lucinda Console
anywhere or, for that matter, Clear Type, which sounds terrific and something I'd to
use regardless of how this ends. (The closest that a search of the hard-drive
produced was ClearDot and Cool Type. If you know of another place to look, please
let me know.)
>
>But after reading your comment below, I'm convinced you're absolutely right:
Since I can't get the "native"1400 x 900 pixel resolution that Dell's CD instructions
cited, this monitor just isn't going to work for me, no matter how much I tinker w/ it.
>
>So, given my system's apparent limitations (no Lucinda, no Clear Type, etc.), and
its specs (a Millennium with Xywrite III Plus, Version 3.56), what should I look for in
a new monitor? I did try each of the resolutions and they were all worse than the
best one I can get: 1280x800. Should I look for a monitor that lists one of the
resolutions that I do have? (The full list in order: 640x480, 800x600, 1024x768,
1152x864, 1280x800, 1280x1024)
>
>I would prefer an LCD (more desk space and less radiation than a CRT--though
maybe that's no longer true?) If anyone can recommend a specific model to try,
that'd be great. Especially if you find it works on an ME.
>
>If they no longer make monitors that jibe with the ME's available resolutions, then
will the graphic adaptor make everything look normal? You said, Harry, "if I want to
spring for it." How many hundreds are we talking about?
>
>Thank you all,
>Leslie
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Harry Binswanger
> To: xywrite@xxxxxxxx
> Sent: Monday, December 29, 2008 12:13 AM
> Subject: Re: New monitor/bad resolution
>
>
> Leslie,
>
> It sounds like your problem is that you can't set the new monitor to its "native"
(preferred) resolution. I've seen the phenomenon before--fat letters, thin letters,
blurry letters. It goes away if you get the right resolution. Try lots of different
resolution settings under Display Properties/Settings. If it really needs 1400 x 900
and you can't get, or don't want to spring for, a graphic adapter for your Dell that
will supply 1400 x 900, then don't use this monitor.
>
> Wrong resolution is no doubt the basic cause of your problem. But in addition, if
you get that solved, there are tweaks:
>
> 1. Turn on Clear Type. It's in Display Properties/Appearance/Effects. It will
improve everything, Windows and Dos alike. But it's like a 30%
improvement--noticeable, welcome, but not on the level of getting the resolution
right.
>
> 2. If you are running Xy in a Window, I strongly advise using Lucida Console.
Follow Flash's screenshots, "Step 1" and "Step 2."
>
> How does the regular C: prompt (MS-DOS) box look on your system?
>
> Otherwise, using Tame would raise Xy up to whatever imperfect level your
windows programs have.
>
>
> Harry Binswanger
> hb@xxxxxxxx