Hi:
I sure hope I'm in the right newsgroup. If not, please let me know where I should go to get the answer to my question
I am having problems with my text appearing "blurry" or "fuzzy." My computer is 7 months old. Recently, I started working with FrontPage 2003, in fact I've been working with it A LOT! Maybe it's just a coincidence, but since then, it seems that is when this started happening. I know this sounds stupid, but I'm starting to wonder if it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me or is my video card or monitor getting ready to fail? Are there telltale signs that the card/monitor is going bad in addition to blurry text?
Thank you very much!

Visit www.ati.com , search for the latest Windows XP drivers for your
ATI video card, and download them. Uninstall the old drivers before
installing the new ones.

CATALYST Windows XP 4.4 - Driver Download
http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/w...=12&submit.y=5

Installation Instructions:
http://www.ati.com/support/includes/tips.html

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
news:BE94B2BA-4E6D-4896-8416-(E-Mail Removed)...

| Hi:
| I sure hope I'm in the right newsgroup. If not, please let me know where I should go to get the answer to
my question.
| I am having problems with my text appearing "blurry" or "fuzzy." My computer is 7 months old. Recently, I
started working with FrontPage 2003, in fact I've been working with it A LOT! Maybe it's just a coincidence,
but since then, it seems that is when this started happening. I know this sounds stupid, but I'm starting to
wonder if it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me or is my video card or monitor getting ready to fail?
Are there telltale signs that the card/monitor is going bad in addition to blurry text?
| Thank you very much!

P.S. After installing the new drivers, right-click on your Desktop and select:
Properties > Settings and change the Color Quality to Highest (32-bit), then
adjust the Screen Resolution to your liking.

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

Thank you SO VERY MUCH for responding so quickly. I am a faithful user of the Windows Update, including driver updates. In fact, on February 25, I did an "ATI display software update released on 1/20/04." In trying to do some research on this, I noticed in my installation history that the update was done twice. Should I be concerned? Also, shouldn't this take care of my updates or do you still suggest I go to the ATI website for an update for the problem I am currently experiencing
Thanks


----- Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote: ----

Visit www.ati.com , search for the latest Windows XP drivers for you
ATI video card, and download them. Uninstall the old drivers befor
installing the new ones

CATALYST Windows XP 4.4 - Driver Downloa
http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/w...x=12&submit.y=

Installation Instructions
http://www.ati.com/support/includes/tips.htm

--
Carey Frisc
Microsoft MV
Windows XP - Shell/Use

Be Smart! Protect your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

"Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:BE94B2BA-4E6D-4896-8416-(E-Mail Removed)..

| Hi
| I sure hope I'm in the right newsgroup. If not, please let me know where I should go to get the answer to
my question
| I am having problems with my text appearing "blurry" or "fuzzy." My computer is 7 months old. Recently, I
started working with FrontPage 2003, in fact I've been working with it A LOT! Maybe it's just a coincidence,
but since then, it seems that is when this started happening. I know this sounds stupid, but I'm starting to
wonder if it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me or is my video card or monitor getting ready to fail?
Are there telltale signs that the card/monitor is going bad in addition to blurry text
| Thank you very much!

the windows update site does not contain the very latest drivers many times. I have a similar card to yours, the 9700 pro. The drivers on the ATI site are the most current. I havent had any problems running them.

Is the text SMALL and blurry? you might have changed your screen resolution to high, which on some monitors would make it harder to read. Also, is this a flat panel lcd monitor? if so they usually have a default resolution that they work best at. In the menu of the monitor (or in the manual or website) it should tell you the default resolution. try setting your resolution to that (if you have an lcd monitor).

I have a 17" CRT Monitor. The text is a good size for me by having the resolution set at 1024 x 768. Any of the other settings are either TOO big or TOO small. To anyone that might be following this, I would be remiss if I didn't mention two things
1. I am not real knowledgeable with computers but I get by. I always do a lot of research and usually learn but it takes me awhile
2. I had already contacted my support people about this but I am never real comfortable with that. They narrowed the problem down to either my monitor failing or the video card failing. They were quick to just send me a new video card. However, I am not real comfortable just popping open my case and installing a new card
Please help! I was just in the middle of TRYING to update my website when all of this started happening.
Thank you so very much

----- Ian L wrote: ----

the windows update site does not contain the very latest drivers many times. I have a similar card to yours, the 9700 pro. The drivers on the ATI site are the most current. I havent had any problems running them.

Is the text SMALL and blurry? you might have changed your screen resolution to high, which on some monitors would make it harder to read. Also, is this a flat panel lcd monitor? if so they usually have a default resolution that they work best at. In the menu of the monitor (or in the manual or website) it should tell you the default resolution. try setting your resolution to that (if you have an lcd monitor).

The problem with the Windows Update site as far as drivers are concerned is that
they are always behind.
Whereas the Manufacturer is always the first to post new drivers.
I would check Video settings and if you do have a LCD monitor go to display
properties/appearance/effects
and click on..following method to smooth edges of screen fonts..use clear type
peter
"Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:C699B3FA-6E2F-4DB2-9BDE-(E-Mail Removed)...
> Thank you SO VERY MUCH for responding so quickly. I am a faithful user of the
Windows Update, including driver updates. In fact, on February 25, I did an
"ATI display software update released on 1/20/04." In trying to do some
research on this, I noticed in my installation history that the update was done
twice. Should I be concerned? Also, shouldn't this take care of my updates or
do you still suggest I go to the ATI website for an update for the problem I am
currently experiencing?
> Thanks!
>
>
> ----- Carey Frisch [MVP] wrote: -----
>
> Visit www.ati.com , search for the latest Windows XP drivers for your
> ATI video card, and download them. Uninstall the old drivers before
> installing the new ones.
>
> CATALYST Windows XP 4.4 - Driver Download
>
http://www.ati.com/support/drivers/w...=12&submit.y=5
>
> Installation Instructions:
> http://www.ati.com/support/includes/tips.html
>
> --
> Carey Frisch
> Microsoft MVP
> Windows XP - Shell/User
>
> Be Smart! Protect your PC!
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
> -------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------
>
> "Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message:
> news:BE94B2BA-4E6D-4896-8416-(E-Mail Removed)...
>
> | Hi:
> | I sure hope I'm in the right newsgroup. If not, please let me know
where I should go to get the answer to
> my question.
> | I am having problems with my text appearing "blurry" or "fuzzy." My
computer is 7 months old. Recently, I
> started working with FrontPage 2003, in fact I've been working with it A
LOT! Maybe it's just a coincidence,
> but since then, it seems that is when this started happening. I know
this sounds stupid, but I'm starting to
> wonder if it could just be my eyes playing tricks on me or is my video
card or monitor getting ready to fail?
> Are there telltale signs that the card/monitor is going bad in addition
to blurry text?
> | Thank you very much!
>
>

Actually Gail its not that hard to change a video card all you need is a
screwdriver.(phillips)
first you shut your system down and turn off the power
after you remove a few screws the side panel should slide off real easy
you can find the video card easy enough its connected to the monitor
unplug the connection
unscrew the little screw that holds it to the back plate
pull the video card straight out ..if its AGP it will have a little clip in the
top right corner..un clip it first
now gently but firmly insert the new card pay attention to the slot alignment
and the part that stick out the back
push the clip back on.
screw it back onto the back plate....at this point you can usually tell if the
card is in tight
reconnect the monitor and test it before you close the case...just in case
good luck
peter


"Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in message
news:4A752C62-C6A1-4035-86A4-(E-Mail Removed)...
> I have a 17" CRT Monitor. The text is a good size for me by having the
resolution set at 1024 x 768. Any of the other settings are either TOO big or
TOO small. To anyone that might be following this, I would be remiss if I
didn't mention two things:
> 1. I am not real knowledgeable with computers but I get by. I always do a
lot of research and usually learn but it takes me awhile.
> 2. I had already contacted my support people about this but I am never real
comfortable with that. They narrowed the problem down to either my monitor
failing or the video card failing. They were quick to just send me a new video
card. However, I am not real comfortable just popping open my case and
installing a new card.
> Please help! I was just in the middle of TRYING to update my website when all
of this started happening.
> Thank you so very much!
>
> ----- Ian L wrote: -----
>
> the windows update site does not contain the very latest drivers many
times. I have a similar card to yours, the 9700 pro. The drivers on the ATI site
are the most current. I havent had any problems running them.
>
> Is the text SMALL and blurry? you might have changed your screen
resolution to high, which on some monitors would make it harder to read. Also,
is this a flat panel lcd monitor? if so they usually have a default resolution
that they work best at. In the menu of the monitor (or in the manual or website)
it should tell you the default resolution. try setting your resolution to that
(if you have an lcd monitor).

----- Gail wrote: ----

I have a 17" CRT Monitor. The text is a good size for me by having the resolution set at 1024 x 768. Any of the other settings are either TOO big or TOO small. To anyone that might be following this, I would be remiss if I didn't mention two things
1. I am not real knowledgeable with computers but I get by. I always do a lot of research and usually learn but it takes me awhile
2. I had already contacted my support people about this but I am never real comfortable with that. They narrowed the problem down to either my monitor failing or the video card failing. They were quick to just send me a new video card. However, I am not real comfortable just popping open my case and installing a new card
Please help! I was just in the middle of TRYING to update my website when all of this started happening.
Thank you so very much

--------

the fact that you found these news groups already shows you know more the most people do :

how old is the monitor? I had a 19 inch monitor that a few months ago would start making things blurry a bit. It was definitely the monitor in that case since i also tried another vid card and tried a 2nd monitor.

Replacing the video card should be pretty easy. Lay the computer down and open the case (unplug the power first). There should be one screw holding the vid card in place (there might also be a little plastic clip that you have to slide out of the locking position). just pull the card out and put the new one back in

If you have a 2nd computer, plug this monitor into the 2nd computer and see if its blurry. if it is then you know its the monitor and dont have to bother with pulling the vid card out.

I do my best not to "annoy" you folks. It is so nice to have such a resource. Let me ask everyone's opinion
1. Should I just go ahead and replace the video card since one was sent to me o
2. Should I try to do the CATALYST Windows XP 4.4 Driver Update on the ATI website first

Also, when I was trying to get all my ducks in a row, under Device Manager it appears there are two cards listed. Strange, right
1. RADEON 9600 PR
2. RADEON 9600 PRO SE

What's up with that? I am sure I need to know which one I am replacing, right
Thank you so very much


----- peter wrote: ----

Actually Gail its not that hard to change a video card all you need is
screwdriver.(phillips
first you shut your system down and turn off the powe
after you remove a few screws the side panel should slide off real eas
you can find the video card easy enough its connected to the monito
unplug the connectio
unscrew the little screw that holds it to the back plat
pull the video card straight out ..if its AGP it will have a little clip in th
top right corner..un clip it firs
now gently but firmly insert the new card pay attention to the slot alignmen
and the part that stick out the bac
push the clip back on
screw it back onto the back plate....at this point you can usually tell if th
card is in tigh
reconnect the monitor and test it before you close the case...just in cas
good luc
pete


"Gail" <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in messag
news:4A752C62-C6A1-4035-86A4-(E-Mail Removed)..
> I have a 17" CRT Monitor. The text is a good size for me by having th
resolution set at 1024 x 768. Any of the other settings are either TOO big o
TOO small. To anyone that might be following this, I would be remiss if
didn't mention two things
> 1. I am not real knowledgeable with computers but I get by. I always do
lot of research and usually learn but it takes me awhile
> 2. I had already contacted my support people about this but I am never rea
comfortable with that. They narrowed the problem down to either my monito
failing or the video card failing. They were quick to just send me a new vide
card. However, I am not real comfortable just popping open my case an
installing a new card
> Please help! I was just in the middle of TRYING to update my website when al
of this started happening
> Thank you so very much
>> ----- Ian L wrote: ----
>> the windows update site does not contain the very latest drivers man
times. I have a similar card to yours, the 9700 pro. The drivers on the ATI sit
are the most current. I havent had any problems running them
>> Is the text SMALL and blurry? you might have changed your scree
resolution to high, which on some monitors would make it harder to read. Also
is this a flat panel lcd monitor? if so they usually have a default resolutio
that they work best at. In the menu of the monitor (or in the manual or website
it should tell you the default resolution. try setting your resolution to tha
(if you have an lcd monitor)