Aspire One virtual screen

Little Darwin · 16 Apr 2010

This seems like as good a place as any to ask.

On my Acer Aspire One, in XP I used to have the ability to have a virtual screen larger than the physical screen. Even though I know this isn't a Windows 7 function, I hope someone can help me figure out if a driver change could give me back this option (without potentially killing my system).

I am trying to run Eclipse, and with the current 1024x600 resolution, some of the options are not available, and there is no scrolling to get them. I could really use 1024x768 or more...

Thoughts?

not so gray matter · 16 Apr 2010

You could try a program like SDesk. Basically it creates a scrollable desktop 32,000 x 32,000. Not sure if it'll work in Win7 but you can try installing in compatibility mode.

SDesk - Free software downloads and software reviews - CNET Download.com

Here's an option compatible w/ 7, not sure if you can scroll:
http://www.otakusoftware.com/deskspace/

If neither of those options work, just search for a virtual desktop program. You should be able to find one that has scrolling.

Little Darwin · 16 Apr 2010

That could be a good answer.

I just did what I should have done before, and checked the Acer site for drivers, and I am loading their driver to test it now...

If that doesn't do what I need, I will look at SDesk.

Thanks!

not so gray matter · 16 Apr 2010

Any virtual desktop solution should work as long as it enables you to scroll larger than native resolution. You should know though, it'll still look the same, you'll just be able to scroll.

Little Darwin · 16 Apr 2010

notsograymatter said:

Any virtual desktop solution should work as long as it enables you to scroll larger than native resolution. You should know though, it'll still look the same, you'll just be able to scroll.

Oh, I knew this... I wouldn't even want software that attempted to reduce the text and images to simulate a larger screen without scrolling.

By the way, I did find software that seems to do what I want, but it does have a couple of minor issues. It is GiMeSpace Ultimate. The free version would have scrolled sideways only, but the Ultimate scrolls in all directions, and allows windows bigger than the physical screen. It cost $12.50, but so far so good.