On this page, I refer to making a back-up copy of the 'My Documents' folder, re-arranging desktop icons, deleting the list of recent documents, and amending the settings for the text size and readability on the monitor screen on XP computers. Similar methods can be used on earlier versions, but the menus and pop-ups will be different. I recommend that you read the Disclaimer on the about page.
1. Copying the 'My Documents' folder to a CD-R/RW disk.
This may depend on the version of XP and your CD drive must be enabled to allow copying to disk (check the 'Properties' of the CD drive after double-clicking on the 'My Computer' icon either on the desktop or on the XP Start menu).
For details of one way to create a back-up copy of the 'My Documents' folder files, please send an e-mail to the address shown on the contact page.
2. Emptying the list of recently used documents displayed when on 'Documents' in the Classic Start menu (and when 'List my most recently opened documents' option has been previously checked on the XP Start menu).
(a) Right-click the Start button, and click 'Properties' on the pop-up menu.
(b) Click the 'Start menu' tab (if not already selected).
(c) Click the 'Customize...' button.
2.1. If the start menu is set to the XP Start menu -
(a) Click the 'Advanced' tab.
(b) In the 'Recent documents' section, click the 'Clear List' button.
(c) Click the 'OK' button.
2.2. If the start menu is the Classic Start menu -
(a) Click the 'Clear' button which is to the right of the recycle bin icon and below the 'Sort' button.
(b) Click the 'OK' button.
3. Changing to a larger size of text on the screen, when the screen is set to a higher resolution (e.g. 1024 x 768).
(a) Right-click on the background (wallpaper) of the desktop.
(b) Click on 'Properties' on the pop-up menu.
(c) Click the 'Appearance' tab, then in the 'Font size:' section, click on 'V'(drop-down list selector) on the right and click on 'Large Fonts'.
(d) Click the 'OK' buttons as many times as necessary.
You may need to restart your computer to apply the new settings.
If the displayed text and icon sizes are not acceptable, repeat steps (a) to (d) above but select 'Normal Fonts' instead of 'Large Fonts'.
Now try this alternative procedure -
(e) Repeat steps (a) and (b) above.
(f) Click the 'Settings' tab, then click the 'Advanced' button (above the 'Apply' button).
(g) Click the 'General' tab if not already selected.
(h) In the 'Display' section, click on 'V' (drop-down list selector) button on the right.
(i) Click on 'Large size (120 DPI)' in the displayed list.
(j) Click the 'OK' buttons as many times as necessary.
You may need to restart your computer to apply the new settings.
4. Improving the readability of the text displayed on the screen.
(a) Follow the instructions given in sections 3. (a) and (b) above.
(b) Click the 'Appearance' tab, then click the 'Effects ...' button.
(c) Click the check box next to 'Use the following method for smoothing edges of screen fonts:' so that the check box shows a green check/tick mark.
(d) The box below that one should show 'Standard', or select an option from the drop-down list by clicking on the button under the word 'method'.
(e) Click on 'OK' button two times.
5. Reducing the 'screen-flicker' when in 1024 x 768 resolution mode.
This is may depend on the monitor type and graphics card installed.
(a) Follow the instructions given in sections 3. (a) and (b) above.
(b) Click the 'Settings' tab, then click the 'Advanced' button.
(c) If shown, click on 'Monitor', then in the 'Monitor settings' section select a higher refresh rate (the highest shown between 72 to 80 hertz) from a drop-down list. (Note that ‘Monitor’ may be a tab called ‘Refresh’, ‘Settings’ or ‘Screen’ or within any tab panel of the Graphics/Driver user interface).
(d) Click on 'OK' buttons two times - you may be notified that a system restart is required to apply the new settings - confirm or cancel your new settings as appropriate.
6. Moving desktop icons on the screen to your own places, so they do not return to their original positions.
(a) Right-click on the background (wallpaper) of the desktop.
(b) Move the mouse cursor up to 'Arrange Icons By' and then over to the menu which is displayed to the right.
(c) Move down to 'Auto Arrange' - if there is a check/tick mark to the left of that line then click on 'Auto Arrange' to deselect that option, repeat steps (a) and (b) then continue at (d).
(d) Move down to 'Align to Grid' - if there is NOT a check mark/tick to the left of that line then click on 'Align to Grid' to select that option, repeat steps (a) and (b) then continue at (e).
(e) Move down to 'Lock Web Items on Desktop' - if there is a check/tick mark to the left of that line then click on 'Lock Web Items on Desktop' to deselect that option.
(f) For each desktop icon you wish to move, click and hold down the left-button on the mouse, move the icon to where you want it to be, then release the button.
