If you are still using a CRT monitor (one of the big fat ones that have been around for years as opposed to the new skinny flat LCD versions), then you may be troubled by headaches or perhaps notice flickering. Depending on the exact model of monitor you have and what kind of graphics card it connects to you are more than likely to be able to change the 'refresh rate'. This is the number of times in a second that the screen displays a new image, (measured in Hertz) and typically a value of 60 is too low for the viewing comfort of many people.

 

To change the settings in Windows, proceed as follows:

 

 

1) Either right-click on the windows desktop and choose 'properties', OR click 'Start' then choose 'Control Panel' and click the 'Display' icon.

 

 

2) Click the 'Settings' tab in the dialog that appears.

 

 

3) At this point you could change the screen resolution (make more information appear on your screen by reducing the size of icons and windows). To move on to changing refresh rate however click the 'Advanced' button.

 

 

4) Click the 'Monitor' tab in the next dioalog

 

 

5) In the 'Screen refresh rate' list choose a value greater than 60 Hertz if there is such a choice. 75 as shown here or more is usually fine.

 

6) Click 'OK'. You should notice a change to how your screen looks, and flicker should no longer be visible.