fuzzy text

[Tina_B]

Ok I will admit right off the bat that I was messing with settings on my new computer. I have no right to mess with stuff I do not understand. ok now for my problem. Nothing is clear and sharp like it was . The words on the web pages have some sharp letters and many others or light or almost un readable. The words under the icons on the desktop have dark dark shadows and are almost un readable.
Any ideas as to what I may have done or what is going on ?
I promise not to mess with settings again ! Is there a way to go to the default settings?
Tina B
I am using a pc

[Byron Gale]

Tina,

Did you perhaps turn on (or off) ClearType?

Under WinXP, if you bring up Display Properties (by right-clicking in the blank desktop, then selecting Properties), select the Appearance tab, then click Effects... you can toggle the option to "smooth edges of screen fonts".

Maybe just try reversing whatever state your is, currently, to see if it helps. You can always undo it if it is of no value.

HTH,

Byron

[Tina_B]

Byron
I looked at what you suggested and it made no difference. The type looks like dirty typewriter keys.
Tina B

[Tina_B]

Maybe I will connect to my old monitor and see if that makes any difference.
Tina B

[Tina_B]

I found my monitor book and it suggest something called adjust the phase. I did a auto correct on the monitor and did the phase adjust thing and all looks better so far.

Now I promise to not mess with any more settings.
Thanks Byron for your suggestions.

[RobertSchuldenfrei]

Hi Tina,

The problem is not messing with settings, but a failure to record what you are doing during experimentation. Running tests with your computer, your camera, or PSE is a GOOD thing. Not knowing how to "go back home" is the issue. I have a bunch of notebooks full of careful records about "everything." Here are two pictures of my extensive collection of loose-leaf notebooks.

3552

and

3553

Reading manuals also helps. When I get a new "toy" I usually buy two manuals. The first is the "dummies" book although I like the "Visually" series better. For example for PSE the first book would be Teach Yourself Visually Adobe Photoshop 7 by Mike and Linda Wooldridge. The second book is the advanced book. An example of this would be The Adobe Photoshop Elements 7 Book for Digital Photographers, by Scott Kelby (when ever Scott gets around to releasing same:)).

I hope this helps,

Bob

I found my monitor book and it suggest something called adjust the phase. I did a auto correct on the monitor and did the phase adjust thing and all looks better so far.

Now I promise to not mess with any more settings.
Thanks Byron for your suggestions.

[Tina_B]

Hey that is a good Idea to keep a note book of what settings work the best and then when I mess things up I can go back and see where home is. Kind of like using a External HD only on paper.
Thanks for the suggestons.
Tina B

[Sepiana]

Hi Tina,

The problem is not messing with settings, but a failure to record what you are doing during experimentation.

Bob


Tina, I couldn't agree more with Bob; I learnt it the hard way.

A few years ago I bought a pc which crashed within a week; I returned it to the store and got a replacement. No problems here! However, I had changed a lot of settings -- font size, icon size, DPI, security, privacy, etc. You name a setting; I had "messed around" with it. And here lies the problem -- I had kept no written record of it.:o

Lesson learnt! Now I keep a printed list of any settings change I make. Furthermore, I always write down the "before" settings" in case I have to revert my changes. And to be safe, this extends to PSE as well. Oh, Living and learning!