Attempts to install a CD-ROM disc titled ‘How to do just about anything on a computer’ produces a message stating that this program requires a minimum of 800 x 600 pixels and the present setting is 640 x 480. When I try to increase the setting by sliding the resolution pointer along to the recommended setting, my screen goes blank and then a series of multicoloured lines appear. Is there a way that I can manage to increase the screen resolution? I am using Windows 95.

The multi-coloured lines that appear when you try to increase the resolution on your monitor indicates that either your monitor or video card does not support the higher resolution and thus cannot display the program. The first thing to do is to find out which device is not supporting the higher resolution, the monitor, the video card or both. To test if your monitor is the problem device, you will need to temporarily obtain a second monitor (eg. a friend’s monitor) which you know supports 800 x 600. Plug their monitor into your computer and try to increase the resolution up to 800 x 600. There are two scenarios that can now occur:-

1. Your friend’s monitor displays correctly: therefore it looks like your video card can support the higher resolution but your monitor cannot.
2. Your friend’s monitor does not display correctly: therefore it looks like your video card cannot support the resolution and it is unknown whether your monitor can support the resolution. To test if your monitor can support the resolution, connect it to your friend’s computer (which is running at 800 x 600) to see if the monitor can support this resolution.

Depending on which device does not support the resolution, you will need to think about buying a new video card and/or monitor. However, you will have to weigh up the price of the purchase of the new devices against the satisfaction you will gain from being able to run the CD. Personally, I would not buy a new monitor or video card for the sake of being able to run one CD. However, you may find your current set up rather limiting when trying to run other new software. If you decide against an upgrade, take care to determine the system requirements of any new software you may consider purchasing, to be sure the software can run on your system.