Screen size too big

[Graham-W]

My grandson has "accidentally" set the screen size on my pc so large that I can't get into settings to adjust it back again. I've tried right clicking the desktop and getting into settings that way but screen is still too big. The start button covers nearly a quarter of the sceen!! How can I recover the screen back to normal size??
TIA
ps Typing this from my lappy.

[Buenchico]

Try entering Safe Mode, by pressing F8 at start up. That will hopefully take you a very basic screen (probably at 480 x 640 resolution). You won't be able to directly fix your problem from there (by right-clicking on the desktop) because your video driver won't have loaded. However you should be able to access System Restore (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore) which will let you set your registry back to what it was before the problem occurred.

Chris

[ChuckFickens]

As above... But no need for a restore. Just change your screen resolution while in safe mode to the lowest available and then do a restart.

[Graham-W]

Tried booting in Safe Mode and it looks ok till last minute, then goes enormous again. Can't even get to Restore to go that route.

[factor-fiction]

Does pressing CTRL key and the - key a few times reduce the size?

[Graham-W]

Marvelous Factor30. That worked a treat. Very many thanks.

[Buenchico]

Well that's weird!

Using the Ctrl key is a standard way of changing the text size within a browser display but I've never heard of it affecting the desktop size!

For future reference, Graham, (within your browser) pressing Ctrl and + makes things bigger. Ctrl and - makes them smaller. Ctrl and 0 reverts to default size.

I'm glad that you've got it sorted, anyway. (Well done, Factor30!)

[factor-fiction]

Hi Chris- I think the real problem was one of text size rather than screen resolution. I guessed that this would be the issue as it is quite common for other users to change text size when they use someone else's PC. Changing screen resolution is a little less straightforward and occurs less frequently in these situations.

[Buenchico]

That makes sense to me, Factor30, but it doesn't explain the Start button taking up a quarter of the screen!