Windows 7 / Getting Started

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Manage Display Devices

When you configure display devices, most users think you are speaking of just the monitors. But the display device is attached to a video adapter and that is actually what you are configuring.

A video adapter is the device that outputs the display to your monitor. You install a video adapter in the same way that you install other hardware. If it is a Plug and Play device, all you need to do is shut down your computer, add the video adapter, and turn on your computer.

Windows 7 automatically recognizes the new device.

You can configure several options for your video adapters, and if you have multiple monitors with their own video adapters, you can configure multiple-display support. The following sections describe video adapter configuration and how to configure your computer to support multiple monitors.

Configuring Video Adapters

The options for video settings are on the Monitor tab of the Display Settings dialog box. To access this dialog box, select Control Panel → Appearance and Personalization → Personalization → Display Settings. Alternatively, you could right-click an empty area on your Desktop, select Personalize from the pop-up menu, and then select Display.

Within the Display properties you can configure the resolution, calibrate the colors, change display settings, adjust ClearType text, and set the custom DPI.

To configure advanced settings for your video adapter, click the Advanced button in the lower-right corner of the Display properties. This button opens the Properties dialog box for the display monitor.

You'll see the following four tabs with options for your video adapter and monitor:

Adapter Allows you to view and configure the properties of your video adapter. In the Adapter section, there is a Properties button. The Properties button allows you to configure the graphic adapter properties, including drivers.

Monitor Allows you to view and configure the properties of your monitor, including the refresh frequency (how often the screen is redrawn) and colors shown (High Color 16 or True Color 32).

Troubleshooter Allows you to configure how Windows 7 uses your graphics hardware. For example, you can configure hardware acceleration settings.

Color Management Allows you to select color profiles (the colors that are displayed on your monitor), calibrate your display, and change system setting defaults.

Perform the following steps for viewing and documenting your video adapter settings:

1. Right-click an empty area on the Desktop, choose Personalize, and select Display Settings.
2. Click the Change Display Settings link.
3. Click the Advanced Settings link.
4. Click the Monitor tab. Make a note of your current settings.
5. Click the Troubleshoot tab. Make a note of your current settings.
6. Click OK to close the monitor Properties dialog box.
7. Click OK to close the Display Settings dialog box.