i want a desktop larger than the monitor can display...how? - Tech Support Forums

zskillz · July 15th, 2007, 06:54 PM

windows XP
nvidia geforce fx 5200

I have a tiny flat panel monitor attached to my computer that on has a resolution of 1024x768. This is waaaayy to small for me. I would like to change the size of my desktop to be something much larger. I don't care if the monitor can only display part of the desktop at a time and if I have to scroll around the desktop to see what I want. This is fine with me. However, I'm having a tough time figuring out how to do this. I've got to believe that it's a fairly simple request, but I just can't figure it out.

can anyone help me out here?
thanks,

Thanks,
-Z

**RicheemxX** · July 15th, 2007, 07:06 PM

Display properties>Setting>Screen resolution
change it to whatever you want, more than likely 800x600 but either way it will fit in the screen its not like a webpage where you get scroll bars

you could also adjust the appearance settings to larger size fonts and icons

zskillz · July 16th, 2007, 02:20 AM

I'm sorry rich, I don't think you're understanding my goal. I am currently limited to 1024x768 using the method you described. I understand that that is the maximum resolution that this monitor can display. However, I want windows to make my desktop 1400x1050. I understand that the monitor can only display a portion of that at a time, but that's fine. I don't want it to fit in the screen. I understand that this may not make a lot of sense at the moment, but i want to know if it can be done.
thx
-z

him61 · July 16th, 2007, 02:26 AM

It doesn't work that way though. You can only display up to your monitor's max resolution.

**RicheemxX** · July 16th, 2007, 02:32 AM

Yeah I was a little confused and had that backwards when you say larger I'm usually thinking bigger images icons fonts ect. Had you said larger resolution then I'd had understood.

00654 · June 8th, 2008, 03:39 PM

I have a 22 inch screen and my desk top acts as if my screen bigger!!! When I view the recycle bin at the top of the screen my start botton disapear below the bottom edge of my screen. I can move the curser to view the start botton, but then my recycle bin is above beyond the top edge of my screen. Same thing happen to the right and left of my screen. Does anyone know how to fix this?

BipolarBill · June 8th, 2008, 03:58 PM

You can't readily expand your desktop beyond it's borders. I've seen it happen by accident, but it wasn't fun.

That being said, you can have up to 4 virtual desktops easily with Virtual Desktop Manager from the Powertoys team at MS:

Microsoft PowerToys for Windows XP

BobbiMagee · June 17th, 2008, 05:08 PM

I have the same problem as 00654, the desktop is too big for the monitor. I'm using a Dell computer running XP Home. I've tried changing the resolution, but the problem persists with every resolution except the 800 X 600 which is way too big.

I have to scroll sideways to see the start button if the clock is visible. I have to scroll up and down to see the menu bars.

I've tried adjusting the monitor with the buttons on the monitor, but that doesn't help either.

This just happened all of a sudden when I turned the computer on today.

Any ideas?

Ebisoba · June 17th, 2008, 05:29 PM

Actually you can do that with some software, but I can't remember the name now. I'll look to see if I can find it.

dr_roberts49 · June 21st, 2008, 02:09 AM

I think it's called a virtual desktop. As you move your mouse towards the edge of the screen, the screen shifts over to show the rest of your desktop. Tried it on a friend's computer, didn't like it for myself. That was with XP several years ago. Can't remember where he got the application. He had pretty poor eyesight. As for general display purposes, if your display and video card support DVI, use your native resolution. In Vista, you can resize your icons by holding down the Ctrl key and using your mouse scroll wheel.

Robert