Reinstalled XP and now have large desktop icons

[Guest]

XP had to be reinstalled and Desktop Display Settings are at 1440 by 900.
The icons are large and the SMALL ICON setting is checked in CUSTOMIZE START
MENU. Any suggestions to reduce icon size?

 

[Malke]

XP had to be reinstalled and Desktop Display Settings are at 1440 by
900. The icons are large and the SMALL ICON setting is checked in
CUSTOMIZE START
MENU. Any suggestions to reduce icon size?

Did you install your video card drivers? When you install an operating
system, you must also install drivers for all your hardware.

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM
computer (HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the
drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific
model machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers
anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor. The older Aida32 is good for this, too.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.aumha.org/free.htm - Aida32 (hosted on Jim Eshelman's site)

Malke

 

[John John]

Install your Video drivers.

John

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your help. The drivers were loaded with a Dell Technician on
the phone. But did not see the icons until the call completed and started to
load in software programs.

Would you suggest I contact Dell and ask for assistance? I am not very PC
literate and would be afraid to reload a driver without knowing the
consequences.

 

[Malke]

Thank you for your help. The drivers were loaded with a Dell
Technician on
the phone. But did not see the icons until the call completed and
started to load in software programs.

Would you suggest I contact Dell and ask for assistance? I am not
very PC literate and would be afraid to reload a driver without
knowing the consequences.

I really don't see how anyone with any amount of caring in their soul
(and I have a small amount) could suggest you call Dell tech support
for something like this. You should just have a knowledgeable friend or
professional come and set you up properly.

Malke

 

[Sharon F]

XP had to be reinstalled and Desktop Display Settings are at 1440 by 900.
The icons are large and the SMALL ICON setting is checked in CUSTOMIZE START
MENU. Any suggestions to reduce icon size?

1440x900 is an odd size. Is this a wide screen monitor? On a 17 inch LCD
monitor the default is 1280x1024. Unless using a wide screen, the 900 in
your settings seems a bit "squished" and could make icons appear in odd
proportions.

Also, where are you seeing large icons? The setting that you enabled is for
the start menu only.

In Windows Explorer, there is a setting under View ("Tiles") that gives
larger icons than the any of the other settings. Try one of the other
settings to see if that helps to make the icons appear in a more familiar
manner.

 

[Guest]

The PC is a Dell Inspiron 9200 with 17 inch wide screen. The icons on the
desktop appear larger than originally set when I got the PC. Is there a
setting to change the size of these icons?

 

[Sharon F]

The PC is a Dell Inspiron 9200 with 17 inch wide screen. The icons on the
desktop appear larger than originally set when I got the PC. Is there a
setting to change the size of these icons?

You could try resetting one of the default themes. If changes were made to
the icon sizing, accidental or otherwise, re-applying a default theme would
put you back to square one in many ways including the size of the desktop
icons.

 

[John Smithe]

XP had to be reinstalled and Desktop Display Settings are at 1440 by
900. The icons are large and the SMALL ICON setting is checked in
CUSTOMIZE START MENU. Any suggestions to reduce icon size?

1. Right click on the 'Desktop' and select 'Properties'.
2. Click the appearance tab.
3. Click 'Advanced'. A new window entitled 'Advanced Appearance' will
appear.
4. Under 'Item:' select 'Icon'.
5. To the right of 'Icon', select a size.
6. You may also select the 'Font' and font 'Size', for icons, below 'Icon'
and Icon 'Size'.

It is also possible to select horizontal and vertical icon spacings.
Perform as above but select 'Icon Spacing'. You may have to toggle 'Auto-
Arrange' and/or 'Aligh to Grid' a couple of times along with some screen
refreshes to get the new positions to take.

1. Right click on the 'Desktop' and select 'Arrange Icons By'.
3. Under Arrange Icons By', select 'Auto Arrange' and/or 'Align to Grid'.
Then refresh the screen by pressing 'F5' with the cursor over the Desktop.
I always seem to have to play with this until the new positions take.


P.S.
Desktop = unoccupied area of the screen

Good Luck