Frequently Asked Questions
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Q: How can I improve how the screen fonts look on large-screen TVs such as the rear projection TV in Windows XP?

A: Microsoft® Windows® XP provides options that can improve the screen font quality when used on large-screen TVs such as the Gateway 42-inch Plasma TV. These options include a DPI setting under the video adapter and a ClearType on the Appearance tab in Windows XP.

DPI Setting

Microsoft Windows XP provides an option that can change the screen font size (DPI) to improve how the font looks on large-screen TVs. Use the following steps to adjust the DPI setting in Windows XP.

  1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.

  2. In Control Panel, click Appearances and Themes.

  3. In Appearances and Themes, click Display.

  4. In the Display Properties dialog box, click Settings.

  5. Click Advanced.

  6. Click General.

  7. In the Display section, click the drop-down arrow and select Custom Settings.

  8. Select a percentage that increases the screen font size. This can vary depending on user preference.

  9. The default option is Normal Size (96) DPI.

  10. To save the setting changes, click OK.

  11. To copy files if prompted, click Yes.

  12. To restart the computer, click Yes.

ClearType

Microsoft Windows XP provides an option called ClearType font smoothing that increases the quality of fonts used with flat panel displays and flat CRT monitors. Not all monitors benefit from this feature. Use the following steps to enable ClearType fonts in Windows XP.

  1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.

  2. In Control Panel, click Appearances and Themes.

  3. In Appearances and Themes, click Display.

  4. In the Display Properties dialog box, click the Appearance tab.

  5. On the Appearance tab, click Effects.

  6. In the Effects dialog box, click to select the Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts check box.

  7. From the drop-down menu, select ClearType.

  8. Click OK.

  9. To enable this feature, click OK.

ClearType is mainly designed to enhance LCD displays, but can be used on other display types. However, ClearType may appear slightly blurry on standard desktop monitors and on some LCD displays. You may be able to adjust the ClearType settings with a utility located on the Microsoft Web site to better adjust the Cleartype settings.

Use the following steps to access the ClearType utility:

  1. Connect to the Internet via your Internet Service Provider.

  2. Visit the Microsoft Web site at http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306527 to access the ClearType utility.

  3. On the Microsoft Web site, click the hyperlink displayed beneath the How to Customize ClearType section.

  4. The ClearType Wizard starts to further adjust the ClearType settings.

  5. Verify that the Turn on ClearType checkbox is selected.

  6. Follow the ClearType Wizard to adjust the settings.

  7. Run the wizard again if further adjustments are needed.

For more information about Microsoft ClearType, visit the Microsoft Web site at: http://www.microsoft.com/typography/cleartype/default.htm