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The video display adapter, which is the component in the computer which communicates with the display device, typically have the ability to render output at a variety of resolutions. Only one of those resolutions correspond to the native resolution of the LCD device where the output from the adapter corresponds exactly to the native resolution of the device.

Various display devices react differently when displaying content using a device's non native resolution. When displaying at a resolution smaller than the native resolution, for example when displaying at 1024 × 768 when the native resolution is 1280 × 1024, most displays scale the output so that it fills the entire screen even though the signal from the display adapter does not fill the entire screen. Other displays will only use the number of pixels represented by the signal from the adapter. In that case the image will not fill the entire screen but the image will be at the native resolution for the display.

 

 

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Checking and/or Changing Monitor Resolution Settings

It is important that you set your screen resolution to match the native resolution of your display. The best way to determine the native resolution for your display is to reference your display manufacturer's documentation.

A method to see if your screen is set to its native resolution is to try looking at the following image (a). The image is made up of many vertical, single spaced black lines. If you see alternating bands of white running vertically through image (a) such as in the examples (b), (c), (d) or (e), you may be running at a non native resolution. As a result, "things might look look as they should" on your screen.

To change your screen resolution

1. Open Display in Control Panel by clicking Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
2. On the Settings tab, under Screen resolution drag the slider to the desired resolution, and then click Apply.
3. When prompted to apply the settings, click OK. Your screen will turn black for a moment.
4. Once your screen resolution changes, you will have 15 seconds to confirm the change. Click Yes to confirm the change; click No or do nothing to revert to your previous setting.