display issues:windows and menus not wide enough

I have had issues with my Dell XPS 200 (Dimension 5150c) not displaying menus and windows with the proper width. I have no idea how to solve this issue. I am using a Dell 1707FP monitor and an ATI X1600 hdmi low profile pci express graphics card. I don't believe the problem existed when I bought the computer, I think it's something I've done, but I don't know what. I have attached examples of the image problems.

 

I believe there's a registry key that determines the dimensions of open windows and menus. Exactly what that key is escapes me. I did some Googling and some searching at the MS Knowledge Base and couldn't find anything of use, but I'll keep looking. In the meantime, maybe you can try some of your own Googling using words like 'Window size' or maybe 'how to resize open window' or something.... I seemed to be getting close when I used 'resize' as part of the search string..... I'll post anything I may find...

hd2k

 

OK- I did some registry searching, and this may or may not help you at all, but here's some reg key that mention menu width. You >should< be able to change this value to make your windows wider. I didn't do a search for height but it should be listed in the same keys.... I used RegScanner to search the reg, otherwise it would have taken forever... anyway- here's those keys:
HKCU\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
HKU\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
HKU\S-1-5-18\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics
BE SURE to back up the reg before making ANY changes unless you like reloading windows! These keys are from XP Home SP2, a totally new, clean install.... good luck!!! I hope this helps!!!

hd2k

You may want to research these keys a bit more before doing anything, 'cuz I might be totally off base here

 

Yes, this is very helpful. I don't know what values to put in though. Is there an easy way to post the values? I've tried screen shots, but they are too big for majorgeeks or too hard to read.

 

Key Name: HKEY_USERS\.DEFAULT\Control Panel\Desktop\WindowMetrics

Value 0
Name: BorderWidth
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -15

Value 2
Name: CaptionHeight
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -375

Value 3
Name: CaptionWidth
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -270

Value 5
Name: IconSpacing
Type: REG_SZ
Data: 75

Value 6
Name: IconTitleWrap
Type: REG_SZ
Data: 1

Value 7
Name: IconVerticalspacing
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -1125

Value 9
Name: MenuHeight
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -285

Value 10
Name: MenuWidth
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -270

Value 12
Name: ScrollHeight
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -255

Value 13
Name: ScrollWidth
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -255

Value 14
Name: Shell Icon BPP
Type: REG_SZ
Data: 16

Value 16
Name: SmCaptionHeight
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -255

Value 17
Name: SmCaptionWidth
Type: REG_SZ
Data: -255

 

birdbath, how did you do that

 

I did increase my icon size and spacing when I set my resolution to 1280 by 1024. I may want to try reinstalling the affected programs.

 

My values are the same as birdbaths, but it makes no difference. I did set Shell icon BPP to 32 bit to make my icons look better.

http://www.virtualplastic.net/html/desk_reg.html

 

Try resetting the windows theme to default or trying another theme. The file could be corrupt.

 

I tried the windows xp theme, and othe themes I didn't even have before ???? I also unistalled media player, reset my pc, and reinstalled it, but same result. Should I used my XP cd to run repairs?

 

maby you screen res it too low thats what happened on my old xp computer
:major:major:major

 

Is it just WMP you are having display problems with? If you open an explorer window does it display properly?

 

I also notice it when I scan or run some wizzards.

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=58479&d=1174854471

 

My screen res. is 1280 by 1024

 

Have you tried reinstalling your graphics card drivers?

Check your Device Manager for any problems or you could run this:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=4181

It could be some settings have changed if you have run a Reg or disk cleaner. Or maybe a system restore?

 

I have Everest installed. I don't have any problems showing in device manager. I use RegScrub XP, and I've done some tweaking. It's hard to tell what the problem is.

 

As BirdBath suggested above, maybe a system restore is a good idea at this point. Obvioulsy something has gone 'outta whack'..... a system restore to right before you noticed the problem ""should"" fix it.... you can always try Dial_A_Fix or running sfc but those probably won't do anything for your current problem (tho' they may correct some other things ).... or a safe in-place reload of Windows will fix most issues, 97.687482% of the time .... keep us posted

hd2k

 

I was just sittin' here, watching King Kong, thinkin' that maybe it's not the window size, but the font size is too large... Hopefully BirdBath can help with the default font sizes; they should be in the same reg keys (I think)...

 

I've had the problem a while, but haven't done anything about it b/c it wasn't that annoying. My desktop font is set to large.

 

Bingo

It's the DPI settings. I set it to 75%, and it fixed it. Now I will set it back and restart my pc.

 

problem seems to be fixed.