Maximum size of a background file

[Guest]

Hello,
I have a novice who doesn't get that using a 4 MB file for his background
will cause his computer to grind to a halt. Any thought of what the maximum
size of a background file should be. I have looked, but, no success.

Thank you,

Jim

 

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Jim,

I sure can't give you a maximum size for a background file (wallpaper), but
4MB is quite large. If your novice has a new machine with lots of RAM, good
video card, etc., he might be OK.
My machine for example is about 6 yrs. old, and to optimize performance I
went to Control Panel>System, and on the Advanced tab click on the Settings
button on the Performance section. I've turned off all the "eye candy"
(which includes wallpaper), all the "fade-in fade-outs", and my computer is
*much* faster.

Have him/her try it both ways.

--
Curt
http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/


| Hello,
| I have a novice who doesn't get that using a 4 MB file for his background
| will cause his computer to grind to a halt. Any thought of what the
maximum
| size of a background file should be. I have looked, but, no success.
|
| Thank you,
|
| Jim

 

[Guest]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. It is a gateway laptop (I know, I
know) with 1 GB. I had him go to a much smaller file, and it works great. I
just wanted to give him a technical answer.

 

[Rock]

Thanks for the additional suggestions. It is a gateway laptop (I know, I
know) with 1 GB. I had him go to a much smaller file, and it works great.
I
just wanted to give him a technical answer.

Nothing wrong with Gateway laptops. I have seen them used in very rough
environments, and they work well.

 

[Curt Christianson]

Hi Jimbo,

Just for comparisons sake, take a look at the wallpaper sizes that already
come with XP, in this folder: C:\WINDOWS\Web\Wallpaper

--
Curt
http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/


| Thanks for defending Gateway, but, I am really looking for a technical
answer
| about the size of the file for a desktop background!!
|
|
| "Rock" wrote:
|
| > "Jimbo" wrote
| >
| > > Thanks for the additional suggestions. It is a gateway laptop (I
know, I
| > > know) with 1 GB. I had him go to a much smaller file, and it works
great.
| > > I
| > > just wanted to give him a technical answer.
| >
| > Nothing wrong with Gateway laptops. I have seen them used in very rough
| > environments, and they work well.
| >
| > --
| > Rock [MVP - User/Shell]
| >
| >

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a novice who doesn't get that using a 4 MB file for his

background will cause his computer to grind to a halt. Any thought
of what the maximum size of a background file should be. I have
looked, but, no success.

Thanks for defending Gateway, but, I am really looking for a
technical answer about the size of the file for a desktop
background!!

I don't know that there is a technical answer that wouldn't just go into the
'why would you **not** optimize the graphic - make it smaller with little
loss - instead of having an xx or xxx MB background image'?

Essentially - you are using up your memory to display it.
The larger that image file size - the more memory it uses to keep it visible
for you.

 

[Curt Christianson]

Shenan,

That's kinda what I was trying to say all along, but it sure didn't come out
like yours.<g>

Thanks.

--
Curt
http://dundats.mvps.org/
http://www.aumha.org/


|> I have a novice who doesn't get that using a 4 MB file for his
| > background will cause his computer to grind to a halt. Any thought
| > of what the maximum size of a background file should be. I have
| > looked, but, no success.
|
| Jimbo wrote:
| > Thanks for defending Gateway, but, I am really looking for a
| > technical answer about the size of the file for a desktop
| > background!!
|
| I don't know that there is a technical answer that wouldn't just go into
the
| 'why would you **not** optimize the graphic - make it smaller with little
| loss - instead of having an xx or xxx MB background image'?
|
| Essentially - you are using up your memory to display it.
| The larger that image file size - the more memory it uses to keep it
visible
| for you.
|
| --
| Shenan Stanley
| MS-MVP
| --
| How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
|
|
|

 

[Rock]

Thanks for defending Gateway, but, I am really looking for a technical
answer
about the size of the file for a desktop background!!

I'm wasn't trying to defend gateway. Just giving my experience with them.
There is no hard number answer to your question. Whatever works on that
system. Try different sizes to see what is acceptable.