My screen (words/info on the pages) is overlapping - why? How do I fix it?

Question

Not all of it, but depending on which site I try to view, the info on the page overlapps and I can't read it. How do I fix the problem? THANX!! :)

Answer 1

This might take some detective work. Why is it happening? It could be something simple like a bad temporary file or cookie (especially if doesn;t always happen.) It could be a display setting that got changed. It could be a bad driver that lets the screen communicate with the computer. It could be damaged system files.

I'm assuming you have only one window (screen) open and the words/info are overlapping on just that one window. Because if you have several windows open at the same time, one of the available options is to cascade the windows diagonally, one on top of the other, from upper left corner to lower right. If this is what you're talking about, you can right click a blank portion of your task bar (the blue bar between the start button and the clock) and change the Cascade Windows command to either Tile Windows Horizontally or Vertically. But if it's words/info on a single screen that are overlapping, you can try a few things.

First, clean your system cache of old cookies, temporary files and history. From the desktop with no programs running, click the Start button > Control Panel > double click Internet Options. A dialog box with several tabs appears. On the General tab click Delete Cookies, Delete Files (including offline content) and Clear History, one at a time. Answer OK/yes when prompted. Restart the computer and try it for a while to see if the problem is fixed.

If it isn't, check the display settings. From the desktop click Start > Control Panel > double click Display. Another dialog box with several tabs appears. Click Settings. Screen Resolution and Color Quality should both be at the highest setting. Now click the Advanced button and yet another dialog box appears.
1. On the General tab the DPI should be normal.
2. Click the Monitor tab, then click the Properties button and then the General tab. It should indicate if the monitor is working or not. If it's not, click the Troubleshoot button and follow the prompts.

If, after all of this, you still have the problem, you might have some damaged or missing system files affecting the screen. If you're using Windows XP, you'll need the install CD. Try running a System File Check. Click start > run > type in "sfc /scannow" > OK (no quotes and notice the space between sfc and /scannow.) If any damaged or missing files are located, you'll be prompted to insert the install disk. Files will then be repaired or replaced as needed. The scan could take over an hour depending on what it finds.

If the SFC doesn't fix it, you can try a Repair Install. You won't lose any personal settings or programs except for Windows Updates that came out after your install disk was manufactured (including SP2 if it's not on the install disk.) This link will give you instructions and screen shots of what you'll actually see:

http://www.windowsxpprofessional.windowsreinstall.com/installxpcdrepair/indexfullpage.htm

I selected XP Pro but the steps are identical for XP Home. If you have a different Windows OS this same web site will guide you through those:

http://www.windowsreinstall.com/

If none of the above suggestions fix the problem, it's beyond my ability to offer anything more. You'd be better off having your computer checked by someone with more knowledge than me. Hope one of these suggestions helps. BTW - I think this is the longest answer I've ever given! :-)

plrr

Answer 2

You should have a Degauss option in the monitors OSD menu. Try hitting that a few times. However, you will need to wait about 20 minutes between cycles for the degauss circuit to reset properly. If that is not having an effect then take the monitor to a TV repair shop and they will be able to use a much more powerful degauss wand or ring on it. It will take about 30 seconds to fix. I would strongly advise against strapping magnets to a drill. That looks like a good way to get a magnet embedded in the wall, or even worse in you.