Looks Matter
Make Type Perfectly Clear
Problem: The text on your LCD monitor looks coarse and indistinct.
Quick fix: In Windows XP, enable ClearType fonts. Right-click the desktop and then choose Properties, Appearance, Effects. Check Use the following method to smooth edges of screen fonts and select ClearType in the drop-down menu below it. In Windows 98, Me, and 2000, right-click the desktop, choose Properties, Effects, and check Smooth edges of screen fonts.
My Friend Flicker
Problem: Your monitor has a slight flickering that tires your eyes.
Quick fix: CRT monitors redraw the image on the screen many times per second. When the image is drawn less than 72 times per second--a refresh rate of less than 72 Hz--you may see flicker. If your graphics card and monitor support higher refresh rates, increase the rate by right-clicking the desktop and choosing Properties, Settings, Advanced, Monitor (the last option is Adapter in Windows 98 and Me). Select the highest rate on the 'Screen refresh rate' drop-down menu (simply 'Refresh rate' in Windows 98 and Me).
You may be able to set an even higher rate in Windows XP and 2000 by lowering your resolution and/or color depth. Click Adapter, List All Modes to see the refresh rates, screen resolutions, and color depths that your PC supports (see FIGURE 12).
Kirk Steers writes the Hardware Tips column for PC World.
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