Desktop icons are wider than usual

[Guest]

I tried hooking up a larger monitor to my laptop for gaming purposes, and set
it as the primary display. Now when I've unhooked it, and reset the laptop
display back to the primary display, everything seems to have been
"stretched" - everything looks wider than usual. This happens on my desktop
and in my programs. I'm not sure what I've done, but what can I check to get
these back to normal?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I tried hooking up a larger monitor to my laptop for gaming purposes,
and set it as the primary display. Now when I've unhooked it, and
reset the laptop display back to the primary display, everything
seems to have been "stretched" - everything looks wider than usual.
This happens on my desktop and in my programs. I'm not sure what
I've done, but what can I check to get these back to normal?

You're running at a different resolution. Right-click on the desktop and
choose Properties. On the settings tab, move the slider under "Screen
resolution" to the way you like it.

 

[Guest]

I've tried running it at 800x600 and also 1024x768 and it will change the
resolution correctly but the "stretch" effect is still there.
Is there anyway it could still be using the other monitor's settings
somehow, seeing as the CRT was more square? It seems to be squishing the
picture horizontally making the icons seem wider.(Just a thought)

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I've tried running it at 800x600 and also 1024x768 and it will change
the resolution correctly but the "stretch" effect is still there.
Is there anyway it could still be using the other monitor's settings
somehow, seeing as the CRT was more square? It seems to be squishing

CRTs normally have a 4x3 aspect ratio and the resolutions you mention above
are at that ratio. Some LCDs have wider aspect ratios and need other
settings, like 1680x1050. I can't tell for sure from your message, but
perhaps you are choosing a resolution at the wrong aspect ratio.

 

[S.Sengupta]

Delete IconCache.db file and see if that helps.

Start>Run>%userprofile%\Local Settings\Application Data\>OK

select and delete "IconCache.db" file.

Remember it's a hidden file so make changes accordingly.

[Tools>Folder Options>View>Show hidden files and folders]

Restart the System.

if the above doesn't help then repair icons with the help of TweakUI.

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx


regards,
S.Sengupta[MS-MVP]

 

[Jon]

I'm having the same problem. Resetting resolution (recommended resolution or
not) has no impact on aspect ratio. Everything on my screen is stretched
(horizontally) about 15-20%. I've never had this problem with any monitor,
but with Vista it has started. As it is I cannot use my new Dell monitor for
graphics. I got on a chatline with Dell to no avial. the tech did not know
what "aspect ratio" was, much less how to solve problems. I'll have to prowl
the Dell driver CD for some answers, I suppose, or wait on a Vista-based
answer.

 

[Bob I]

You should ask about Vista issues in the Vista group. But IF the video
is stretched, then you have the incorrect resolution set. You need to go
to a setting with an increased first number and relatively the same
second number.

I'm having the same problem. Resetting resolution (recommended resolution or
not) has no impact on aspect ratio. Everything on my screen is stretched
(horizontally) about 15-20%. I've never had this problem with any monitor,
but with Vista it has started. As it is I cannot use my new Dell monitor for
graphics. I got on a chatline with Dell to no avial. the tech did not know
what "aspect ratio" was, much less how to solve problems. I'll have to prowl
the Dell driver CD for some answers, I suppose, or wait on a Vista-based
answer.

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