Setting Display Properties in Windows XP

by Jim Pile

April 18, 2002 —

Reader Will H. sends in this Windows XP Professional question:

"I recently moved from Windows 2000 Professional to Windows XP
Professional on a computer I use as a simple file and print server.
My remote access program works better if I set the screen
resolution to 640 X 480 with 256 colors. To my surprise, the
minimum offered in Windows XP is 800 X 600 with 16-bit color.

Is there any way to set the XP display to 640 X 480 -- maybe a
registry edit? I could handle the 16-bit color depth if necessary."

Although Windows XP doesn't support resolutions below 800 X 600 and you
can't get the slider in the Display Properties dialog box to go below
that value, there is a way to get XP to do 640 X 480 pixels with 256
colors.

To do this, right-click the desktop and choose Properties. When the
Display Properties dialog box opens, click the Settings. Now, click
Advanced and then click the Adapter tab. Click List All Modes and
select 640, 480, 256 Colors, (your desired refresh rate). Click OK to
close the List all Modes dialog box and then click OK to return to
Display Properties. At this point, Windows will apply the new
resolution and refresh rate and will ask you if all is well, etc.
Finally, click OK to close the dialog box and save your settings.

ITworld