Old person needs help with display

georgeann

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Galt, CA
I’ll come right out and admit I am 79 years old which certainly has an effect on the trouble I am having seeing the display on my new computer. I recently purchased an Asus computer with the Intel i5 processor running the 64 bit Windows 7. I kept my Dell 20 inch Ultrasharp digital flat panel. I use Corel Draw X4, WordPerfect X5, IE 8, Power Desk 8 Pro, Photoshop 7, and Quicken 2010. On all of these applications (including this page), the toolbars are very narrow with small icons. And the text on most drop down menus is very tiny and faint.

I have set the text size to 150%, but it has no effect on the toolbars. I have adjusted everything that can be adjusted in the Windows Color and Appearance settings. I have tried decreasing the monitor resolution, but that means some panes are so large the radio buttons are off the screen and can’t be used.

I don’t understand why I didn’t have trouble with the screen display on the same monitor I was using with XP. It would make my life so much easier if someone can help.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows Home Premium 64 bit
I understand your problem because my eyesight is very weak too. If you have exhausted all the Windows settings, you may have a driver problem. Have a look at the Dell site whether they have a specific /7 driver for your monitor.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
The monitor is 5 years old - Dell won't support

I searched for an updated driver, but the $2004 I paid Dell 5 years ago is worth zip today and there have no driver updates for Windows 7.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows Home Premium 64 bit
Did you see a Vista driver - that may work too. There is a definite problem, especially with the Win7 64bit system. Drivers for older devices are scarce.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000

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  • DPI setting.jpg
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My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Bruce ... somewhere in his 40's
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2400 MHz
Motherboard
INTEL/D975XBX2
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 914v
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
2/500GB each ... ST3500630AS ATA Device.
One is not connected
PSU
Rocketfish 700 W
Case
G.Skill Gigabyte Chassis
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Internet Speed
DSL
Antivirus
Avira Internet Security
Browser
IE 11
Other Info
ATI HDMI Audio
Hi georgeann one very easy and quick solution is to use windows magnifier when you need to see a dropdown etc.
to activate the magnifier press the windows key and the + key at the same time this will activate the magnifier window and you can set the magnification size you want perhaps 200%
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett packard/p6512uk
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7600
CPU
IIx4 amd athelon 635 processor
Motherboard
FOXCONN 2AA9
Memory
2x2gb
Graphics Card(s)
ati radeon HD 5450
Sound Card
(1) Realtek High Definition Audio (2) AMD High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
samsung lcd tv 32"
Screen Resolution
1360x 768
Hard Drives
(1) WDC WD10 01FAES-60Z2A0 SATA Disk Device (2) Maxtor OneTouch USB Device (3) ST310003 33AS USB Device (4) WD My Book 1111 USB Device
PSU
?
Cooling
air!
Keyboard
wireless hp
Mouse
wireless Hp,optical
Internet Speed
1.10mb/s
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
Click the image below twice to enlarge!

2010-10-30_2329.png
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Hewlett packard/p6512uk
OS
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 7600
CPU
IIx4 amd athelon 635 processor
Motherboard
FOXCONN 2AA9
Memory
2x2gb
Graphics Card(s)
ati radeon HD 5450
Sound Card
(1) Realtek High Definition Audio (2) AMD High Definition
Monitor(s) Displays
samsung lcd tv 32"
Screen Resolution
1360x 768
Hard Drives
(1) WDC WD10 01FAES-60Z2A0 SATA Disk Device (2) Maxtor OneTouch USB Device (3) ST310003 33AS USB Device (4) WD My Book 1111 USB Device
PSU
?
Cooling
air!
Keyboard
wireless hp
Mouse
wireless Hp,optical
Internet Speed
1.10mb/s
Antivirus
MSE
Browser
Firefox
Click the image below twice to enlarge!

View attachment 109293
The magnifier is a nice facility but it is a pain to use in daily life. I am not looking forward to the day when I will need it - like I often need a lens now to read small print.
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
When you say 'toolbar' and icons are very small, do you mean the taskbar? If so, do this:

Resize the taskbar


You can resize the taskbar to create additional space for buttons and toolbars.
GetContent.aspx
Go to the Windows website to watch the video. (0:55)
  1. <LI class=step>Right-click an empty area on the taskbar. If Lock the taskbar has a check mark next to it, the taskbar is locked. Unlock it by clicking Lock the taskbar, which removes the check mark.
  2. Point to the edge of the taskbar until the pointer changes into a double-headed arrow**
    GetContent.aspx
    , and then drag the border to make the taskbar the size you want.
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Bruce ... somewhere in his 40's
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 32bit SP1
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Quad CPU @ 2.40GHz, 2400 MHz
Motherboard
INTEL/D975XBX2
Memory
4 GB
Graphics Card(s)
ATI Radeon HD 2600 Pro
Monitor(s) Displays
Samsung SyncMaster 914v
Screen Resolution
1280 x 1024
Hard Drives
2/500GB each ... ST3500630AS ATA Device.
One is not connected
PSU
Rocketfish 700 W
Case
G.Skill Gigabyte Chassis
Keyboard
Standard PS/2 Keyboard
Mouse
Microsoft PS/2 Mouse
Internet Speed
DSL
Antivirus
Avira Internet Security
Browser
IE 11
Other Info
ATI HDMI Audio
Hiya George pal

Quick question ... What resolution is your screen set to ?
 

My Computer

Computer type
PC/Desktop
Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Self Built
OS
Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit
CPU
AMD Phenom Quad core 9950 black edition
Motherboard
Gigabyte
Memory
16Gb
Graphics Card(s)
2x XFX Radeon 5850
Sound Card
PCI Express X-Fi Titanium / Logitech G35
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP 2410i
Screen Resolution
1920x1080
Hard Drives
2x 500Gb Seagate
1x 300Gb Seagate
1x 1Tb Seagate
2x 1Tb Hitatchi
PSU
Jean Tech Storm 700W
Case
Cooler Master COSMOS S
Cooling
Akasa Evo Blue Pro
Keyboard
Logitech G15
Mouse
Mad Catz M.M.O. 7
Internet Speed
12mb

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
Alienware AREA-51 M17x
OS
windows 7 ultimate 64bit
CPU
Intel Core2 Extreme x9000 2.8GHZ
Motherboard
Asus P965 Intel chipset
Memory
4Gig
Graphics Card(s)
2 NVidia GeForce 8800M GTX (SLi)
Sound Card
onboard
Monitor(s) Displays
17in. built-in, 47in JVC LCD
Screen Resolution
1080p
Hard Drives
2 250Gig Hitachi (RAID 0) @ 7200RPM
Case
17in. laptop
Mouse
touchpad, Logitech Anywhere Mouse cordless laser
Internet Speed
cable
Thanks

Thanks, everyone. I'm about to give up on this issue, but I really appreciate your ideas. Neither Dell nor Microsoft has a Windows Vista or Windows 7 driver for my monitor.

The custom DPI text settings have no effect on the toolbars or on drop-down lists.

I know how to size the task bar. The toolbars and those icons are too small, not the task bar.

The magnifier is not practical to use every time you want to choose a toolbar button.

Thanks, too, for not mentioning that a 79 year-old housewife might be too senile to be setting up computers. I worked in the Computer Science Department at UCLA in the 1970's, and I've just kept at it.

We're going to be in Best Buy tomorrow and I'll shop for a new monitor.
 

My Computer

OS
Windows Home Premium 64 bit
Before you buy, have a look at the prices here ( Deals on Monitors ). And keep looking, there are new deals every day. BestBuy is not always the cheapest place to purchase.
And why would a 79 year old be senile. I am 73 myself and hope to make it to your age. :D
 

My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP, Dell, Gateway, Toshiba - 4 laptops and 2 desktops
OS
Vista, Windows7, Mint Mate, Zorin, Windows 8
CPU
from 1.6GHz Duo to i7
Monitor(s) Displays
2x HP w2207
Hard Drives
5x HDD, 7x SSD, 12x Externals
Keyboard
with trackball - no mices
Mouse
Trackball mice
Internet Speed
DSL 6000
One thing with the magnifier It can be set to docked mode which places a re-siable window at the top of the screen that follows the cursor this may be a better temporary measure whilst sourcing a new monitor
 

My Computers

System One System Two

  • Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
    ChillBlast - Custom to my design
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 [Latest Release and Release Preview]
    CPU
    Ryzen 9 5950X, 3.8 - 5.2 MHz
    Motherboard
    Asus Prime X570-Pro
    Memory
    64GB [2 x 32GB] DDR4 3200MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    4GB NVIDIA GEFORCE GTX 1650 Ti
    Sound Card
    On-board SPDIF to 5.1 System + HDMI [5.1 system]
    Monitor(s) Displays
    32" UHD 32 Bit HDR Monitor + 43" UHD 4K 32Bit HDR TV
    Screen Resolution
    2 x 3840 x 2160 @60Hz
    Hard Drives
    1TB M2 SSD OS, 500GB Fast Access SSD, 2 x 8TB Data + Various Externals from 1TB to 4TB, 10TB NAS
    PSU
    NZXT C750 80 PLUS Gold 750W Modular PSU
    Case
    Workstation Case [Matt Black]
    Cooling
    NZXT Kraken X63 280mm CPU Cooler +2x Quiet Case fans
    Keyboard
    Logitech Wireless MX Keys & K400 + others
    Mouse
    Logitech Wireless MX Master 3S
    Internet Speed
    920 MB Down 50 MB Up
    Antivirus
    BitDefender Total Security Pro
    Browser
    Chrome (always run latest Non-Beta)
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    Samsung 10.2" tablet
    Blackview TAB 8 4G Android Tablet c/w Keyboard
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control
  • Computer type
    Laptop
    System Manufacturer/Model Number
    Dell XPS 17 10750H
    OS
    Windows 11 Pro x64 Latest RP
    CPU
    Intel I7 10750H 5.0GHz
    Motherboard
    Dell XPS
    Memory
    32GB [2x16GB] DDR4 2933 MHz
    Graphics Card(s)
    nVidia GTX1650Ti 4 GB GDDR6
    Sound Card
    Stock [Realtek] 4 Speaker
    Monitor(s) Displays
    17" IPS UHD+ Infinity Edge Touchscreen
    Screen Resolution
    3840 x 2400
    Hard Drives
    2TB M2 NVMe, 4TB External + various 500GB & 1TB External NVMe (also have access to spinner HDD from
    PSU
    Stock
    Case
    Stock XPS Aluminium & Carbon Fibre
    Cooling
    Stock - Active Fan Control
    Keyboard
    Backlit + Various Logitech
    Mouse
    Stock Track Pad + Logitech MX Trackball
    Internet Speed
    72 MB Down 18MB Up
    Browser
    Chrome
    Other Info
    Also run ...
    Laptop - Quad 8GB - Windows 10 Pro x64
    Nexus 7 Android tablet x2
    10.2" tablet
    Sony Z3 Android Smartphone
    Wacom Intuos Pro Medium Pen Pad
    Wacom Intuos Pro Small Pen Pad
    Wacom Expresskeys Remote
    Loopdeck+ Graphics Controller
    Shuttle Pro v2 Control Pad
    10TB NAS
Hello georgeann;

A monitor larger than 20" may help, however it sounds like to me that you will still need to find the balance between screen size, font size, and resolution for ease and comfort in viewing.

My wife also has poor eyesight and has struggled to find a resolution she likes. She is currently using a 19" widescreen set to 1440 X 900. She likes the larger desktop icons and task bar. Windows 7 allows for a lot of personalization with a right click on the desktop, then select personalize.

These two images are a contrast of smallest to largest:

Desktop_small.png Desktop_large.png

Even with a larger monitor though, you will still need to find the resolution, icon, taskbar, and text size that will fit your needs. Unfortunately, these settings are not all in one place ... but they are there.

Personally, I find most of the text on web sites to small to read comfortably and regularly use the "zoom text only" feature in the "view" tab of the FireFox browser.

Please let us know how we might help out?

Cheers!
Robert
 

My Computer

OS
...
"Personally, I find most of the text on web sites to small to read comfortably and regularly use the "zoom text only" feature in the "view" tab of the FireFox browser."

Oh yes. If only Windows had a zoom that worked as nicely as that Firefox zoom!

Even better is to use Firefox zoom: a) From keyboard: Ctrl with = key to zoom in and Ctrl with - key to zoom out; and b) From mouse: get the Zoom toolbar add-on: wonderful!

I share the OP's (meaning original poster!) chagrin with toolbar size inflexibility, and would welcome a tweak or redesign to address this. Same problem in many applications where the built-in fonts are microscopic and so often unchangeable!
 

My Computer

OS
Windows 7
Georgeann, There are actually different kinds of Toolbars in use in Windows and on-line, and in different applications, and you CAN change the size of many of the Toolbars. Take a look at my first item below, and when you get to Advanced, scroll down to 3D Objects, and Menu, both of which control different Toolbars. Experiment with the other Advanced settings as well, because all except the last one allow you to change the size.

Here's my list of all the ways to change the various sizes of fonts, images, and displays:

1. This is the one of the main setting tools for setting various locations of Windows font sizes. Right-click on the Desktop and go to Personalize, Window Color and Appearance. Click on Advanced, and in the drop-down menu, select the item that controls the location where you wish to change the font size. (Note: the last one, Window, does not have an option to control font size.)

2. DPI - Right click on Desktop, Personalize, On Personalization Page, go to left column to: Adjust Font size – DPI, DPI Scaling: Click on Large scale (120 DPI), and click Apply.

3. Screen Resolution: Right-click on the Desktop, choose Screen Resolution, click on the down-arrow at the end of the Resolution box, and pick the desired resolution. Check OK.

4. Display: Right-click on the Desktop, select Personalize, then Display. From the 3 settings: Small, Medium, Large, if screen defaults to Medium (125% size for font and images) and that’s too large, use Small for 100% size (aka “normal”)

At the lower right hand corner of every IE web page, there’s a Zoom control that lets you increase the size of every web page, and it stays at that Zoom setting for every page until/unless you change it

Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, General, Accessibility, Select Ignore font sizes specified on web pages. Click OK, then Apply, then OK.

7. Open Internet Explorer, go to Tools, Internet Options, Advanced, uncheck all three:
Reset text size to Medium for new windows and tabs, and
Reset text size to Medium while Zooming, and
Reset Zoom level to 100% for new windows and tabs

8. Open Internet Explorer, click the Page button, click Text Size, and then select the size you want i.e. Large (Largest may be too large).

9. Ease of Access Center – Go to: Control Panel, and Explore all settings. Under the following heading, Make things on the screen larger, select: Change the size of text + icons. This takes you to the dpi settings screen.

10.] If you have a scroll wheel on your mouse, use command/ctrl + your scroll on a web page to increase the font size.

11. MS Office apps have a Zoom slider at the lower right hand corner of every page, that lets you increase the size of every Office app page, and it stays at that Zoom setting until/unless you change it

12. MS Word templates: In the Ribbon or QuickAccess Bar select Styles, Normal, and when the little arrow appears, select Modify. Under Formatting you can change the default font size (12) to whatever size you wish. At the bottom of the screen select Only in this documents OR New documents based on this template. Click OK. You can change this font size setting for any/all other MS Word templates as well.

13. In IE and FireFox (for current use – not permanent): press Ctrl and the + key to increase screen size. To reduce screen size press Ctrl and the – key. (To restore screen size to 100% press Ctrl and 0.)

14. FireFox (permanent setting): go to Tools, Options, Content, and on that screen set the new default text size that you wish. Then, click Advanced and there are additional default text size settings. Plus, in the box that says "Minimum text size" select None, and down below, UNcheck the box that says "allow pages to choose their own fonts instead of my selections above."

15. Magnifier – For those instances when you need to magnify a certain portion of the screen - go to Start, in the Search pane, type in "magnifier" + click the program at the top. (To read more about Magnifier go to Start, click "Help & Support" on the right hand side, type in "magnifier.") Magnifier is actually located at: Start, All Programs, Accessories, Ease of Access, Magnifier. (You can set Magnifier to DOCKED MODE which gives you a re-sizable window at the top of the screen that follows the cursor. )

16. FireFox Add-On: NoSquint: Firefox Extension

(If you go to Internet Explorer, Internet Options, Appearance, Fonts, How to ignore present fonts - The notes refer you to numbers 5, 6, 8, 10, and 13 above).
 
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My Computer

Computer Manufacturer/Model Number
HP Pavillion dv5t (generation 1)
OS
Vista 64 bit and 32 bit (SP2)
CPU
Intel(R) Core(TM)2 Duo Processor T9400 (2.53 GHz
Memory
4GB DDR2 System Memory (2 Dimm)
Graphics Card(s)
512 MB NVIDIA GeForce 9600M GT
Monitor(s) Displays
15.4" diagonal WSXGA+ High-Definition HP BrightView Widescre
Screen Resolution
1680 x 1050
Hard Drives
320GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive with HP ProtectSmart Hard Drive Protection
Keyboard
Built-in HP
Mouse
Built in - Synaptics TouchPad V6.5 on PS/2 Port
Internet Speed
Max
Other Info
~ Intel Next-Gen Wireless-N Mini-card w/Bluetooth ~ Blu-Ray ROM DVD+/-R/RW ~ Integ. HDTV Hybrid Tuner ~ 12 Cell Battery ~ MS Office (Home Premium) 2007 ~
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