non-full screen problem on Dell Inspiron Notebook

[Guest]

One of my kids hit some wrong keys and now my screen is using only half the
monitor and the character size is very small. Someone told me a quick fix is
to hit the function key and one of the f keys. I have tried them all with no
luck. If I change the resolution, I can use the full screen, but the
character size is still small. Can anyone help me get back to a normal
screen setting?
Many thanks,
Anne H

 

[T. Waters]

Did your computer come with a manual?

 

[t.cruise]

Easiest fix: If this happened recently, use the Windows XP System Restore utility and
restore from a Restore Point from a date just prior to the problem. How:

Click Start button/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/System Restore

When System Restore opens select the option: Restore my computer to an earlier time, then
click the NEXT button.

When the next Window opens: The window is divided into two panes, a Calendar in the left
pane, and list of Restore Points in the right Pane. (Automatically created Restore Points
are referred to a System Checkpoints). The BOLD dates on the calendar are the ones that
contain Restore Points. Click on a BOLD date as close to, but prior to the problem. You
will see the Restore Point for that date in the right pane. If it isn't already
highlighted, click to highlight that Restore Point, then click the NEXT button. Then
follow the rest of the System Restore wizard. When the system reboots, it will take a bit
more time because system files and/or settings are being changed back to what they were on
the date of the Restore Point that you chose. Future system startups will be as usual.

None of your data files will be lost. The drawback of using System Restore is that if
you've installed any software, updates, or drivers, AFTER the date of the Restore Point
that you've chosen, you will have to reinstall them, because they will not be referenced
in the Windows Registry from that prior date.

T.C.

 

[Richard]

Did you right click on the desktop, Selected Properties,
and the Select Display. Here you can set the size of
your display.
Richard

 

[Mark Barrett]

There is a setting in the cmos to change the screen usage size. I forget
what the exact phrasing is. But dell uses this particilar setting. When you
enter the bios configuration it will jump out at you. Just look for it.