Reinstall window too small

I recently did a reinstall on a laptop meant to be used for a 12 year old (was meant for Me) so did a reinstall, and the window is only somewhere around 640x480 which doesn't do much good. What did I do wrong? Or is it something with the laptop itself?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated

 

You need to install the drivers for the video.

What laptop is it, so we can give you links to the video drivers....

 

It's an HP pavillion N5190.

Other specs:
Intel PIII 700MHz
14.1" active 1024x768 TFT display
128MB SDRAM at 100MHz
8x DVD drive
10.0GB HD
Integrated 56k moddem and 10/100 ethernet port
Came with Millenium Edition factory, when it was given to me it had 2000 on it, and was told it ran slow (I understand it won't likely be a speed demon, it's old). I reinstalled Me hoping that would get some of the speed back. Have the option of going back to 98 as well.

Just want it for a couple games and kids' on internet.

 

Have you looked here for drivers? http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareCategory?lc=en&cc=us&dlc=en&product=60619&lang=en&

E :cool

 

If you used the restore/recovery disks that came with the N5190 all the proper drivers should be loaded. I have an N5470 that came with ME also.
It might just be a case of right clicking an empty spot on the desktop and choosing Properties, clicking the Settings tab, and moving the slider to the right to get more screen real estate.
If the slider doesn't move, look in Device Manager to be sure the driver is loaded. No yellow !s nor red Xs. If the video has a problem, put the HP CD in the drive and click update driver; point the installer to the D:\