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How-To Geek Forums » Windows Vista

Updates to Vista - what happened to my desktop??

(8 posts)
  • Started 8 months ago by Carmen80214
  • Latest reply from Carmen80214
  • Topic Viewed 350 times

Carmen80214
Carmen80214
Posts: 8

Hello everyone again, another problem? I have a Gateway 64 bit with Windows Vista preloaded. The other night I went into Windows Update and downloaded several suggested downloads/updates as recommended for Vista after running a scan for updates, this took a long time and I started getting nervous. I can't find information anywhere about Vista updates and I know I don't know where to look in the first place. I have so much to learn!

Now my desktop looks funny, icons are way small and my toolbars have changed drastically. I located the "large font" access however checking and unchecking does nothing to the desktop. I did a restore about a week ago due to some errors made by a friend, and it fixed it back to about a week prior with no problem. Now when I try to do a restore, thinking it would "undo" the updates I downloaded the other night, it tells me there are no backups available and to go to the Windows website and download a program to restore to a "prior Windows" version. Before I get in more over my head, can someone give me some direction please? Thanks a lot. Help.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Rhillo
Posts: 8

Not difficult to fix.
Go to start>control panel>updates>then uninstall ones you entered when you developed this problem.
Restart computer.You may not have enough space to do a system restore.
Try downloading again in safe mode.It is always good to set your updates to install automatically.
That way you can't forget.Hope this helps.
Of note-always restart your computer when you make changes like this.If not it may have also lead
to your results.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Rhillo
Posts: 8

Could not edit;however,just noticed an article I read recently. If your computer looks different,it would also be agood step to run a scan. Viruses can sneak in.

Posted 8 months ago #
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jd2066
Justin
Posts: 3792

It sounds like something may have accidentally changed the DPI scaling to a higher percentage.
Here is how to check that:
1. Open the Personalization Applet.
From the Desktop: Right click and select Personalize.
From Control Panel: Click Appearance and Personalization and then Click Personalization.
From Classic Control Panel: Double Click Personalization.
2. On the left side of the Personalization Window click "Adjust Font Size (DPI)" and click Continue.
3. In the DPI Scaling Window see which option is selected.
You can select one of the available options:
"Default scale (96 DPI)" - This the default setting and what was used in prior Windows versions before Vista came out with DPI scaling.
"Larger scale (120 DPI) - This option is 125% bigger fonts and images then the default scale.
"Custom DPI" - You can set any DPI size you want with this but if you do then things may not work right. Most programs are not designed to work with custom DPI scales.
4. Click OK.
You can also just press enter if the DPI got set so high that the ok button isn't viable anymore.
5. Click Yes to restart the computer and apply the new DPI scaling setting.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Carmen80214
Carmen80214
Posts: 8

Thanks everyone, I'm at work now but when I get home tonight I will try these things. Makes sense to uninstall the updates that I manually downloaded, didn't think of that! (still SO much to learn) I set it to automatically update which is best? I will also try your suggestion Justin, thank you so much. This site is awesome,I'm so glad I found you all. I may need to get Vista for Dummies, hope there is such a thing :).....I will post back here soon, this weekend for sure to let you know if I'm back on track. Thanks again to Rhillo and Justin.

Posted 8 months ago #
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Carmen80214
Carmen80214
Posts: 8

Hi again all, one more note on this, thought it might help anyone assisting out there.... When starting up my computer, I have been getting this error message since I downloaded all of the updates: "Catalyst Control Center not supported by driver version of enabled graphics. Adapt, update all ATL (AT1?) graphics or enable using Display Manager." When looking for an AT1 update, it indicated there was no version available on my system? I started searching around for Display Manager and AT1 or ATL graphics but didn't want to go too far and get myself in MORE trouble. Thanks all.

Posted 8 months ago #
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LH
LH
Posts: 7487

Open Device Manager > Display Adapters. Right click on your adapter, and select "Update driver software".

Posted 8 months ago #
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Carmen80214
Carmen80214
Posts: 8

Thanks LH, I will do that when I get home and advise. I will be visiting this site as part of my daily routine, this knowledge is awesome. Thanks again. :)

Posted 8 months ago #
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