IBM Aptiva Hardware Handbook page 21

The values you can choose for Monitor Resolution and
Number of Colors depend on the:
•
Horizontal frequency setting your monitor supports.
•
Amount of video memory installed on the
computer's system board. The amount of video
memory installed on your system board is listed in
the Configuration/Setup Utility. For instructions on
using the Configuration/Setup Utility, see page 63.
Tips:
Of the settings that your monitor supports, you should
select the ones that are most comfortable for you to
work with. The highest resolution and color settings are
not always best. For example:
•
Higher resolutions display more pels (picture ele-
ments). While this allows more text and graphics to
be displayed, it makes them appear smaller. For
most users, 640x480 or 800x600 is a comfortable
resolution setting.
•
When you select more colors, most software
applications will slow down. Only choose as many
colors as you need. A color setting of 256 typically
provides the fastest performance.
•
You can determine which settings are most
comfortable to work with by selecting and trying
each one.
Monitor Horizontal Frequency
If your monitor and system unit came packaged:
•
Together, your monitor horizontal frequency was
set correctly at the factory to give you the best
performance from your monitor. You do not need to
complete the following steps unless you attach a
different monitor to your system unit.
•
Separately, complete the following steps to get the
best performance from your monitor.
You select the Monitor Horizontal Frequency setting in
the Configuration/Setup Utility. To select the Monitor
Horizontal Frequency setting, follow these steps:
1.
If your monitor and system unit are turned:
a.
On, save all open files and close all software
applications. Turn off the system unit, and then
turn the system unit on again.
b.
Off, turn on your monitor, and then turn on
your system unit.
2.
Press the F1 key while the following symbol
appears in the upper right corner of your screen:
The main menu of the Configuration/Setup Utility
is displayed.
3.
If you are using Rapid Resume (Rapid Resume is
enabled), press the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys at the
same time to restart your system and repeat
Step 2.
If you are not using Rapid Resume, do not press
the Ctrl, Alt, and Delete keys.
4.
Press the down arrow key until Devices and
I/O Ports is highlighted, and then press Enter.
5.
Press the down arrow key until Video Setup... is
highlighted, and then press Enter.
Monitor settings 11