Microsoft KB Archive/325373

= HOW TO: Change the Monitor Refresh Frequency in Windows Server 2003 =

PSS ID Number: 325373

Article Last Modified on 12/18/2003

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The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Standard Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, Web Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Datacenter Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Server 2003, 64-Bit Enterprise Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
 * Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q325373



For a Microsoft Windows XP version of this article, see 311403.

IN THIS TASK

 * SUMMARY
 * How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor
 * How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor if the Display is Illegible (Garbled)
 * *** Use the Enable VGA Mode Startup Option
 * Use the /Basevideo Switch in the Boot.ini File



SUMMARY
This step-by-step article describes how to change the refresh frequency for your monitor in Windows Server 2003.

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How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor

 * 1) Click Start, point to Control Panel, and then click Display. You can also right-click the desktop, and then click Properties.
 * 2) Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.
 * 3) Click the Monitor tab.
 * 4) In the Screen refresh rate box, click the screen refresh rate that you want to use.
 * 5) Click OK, and then click OK.

NOTE:
 * The default refresh frequency setting is determined by your hardware, although your monitor may support a higher setting. For more information about the settings that your monitor supports, view the manufacturer documentation that is included with your monitor.
 * If you use a higher refresh rate, you can reduce the rate that your screen flickers. However, if you specify a refresh rate that is too high for your monitor, your screen may become unusable and your hardware may be damaged.
 * Changes to the refresh frequency affect all users who log on to the computer.

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How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor if the Display is Illegible (Garbled)
If the display on your computer is illegible or you cannot view the contents of the screen, display settings such as the refresh frequency for the monitor may be configured incorrectly. To troubleshoot and resolve this issue, start your computer by using the Enable VGA Mode startup option and then change the refresh frequency to use the correct settings. When you start your computer in VGA mode, the video driver that is currently installed on the computer is loaded by using the lowest screen resolution, color depth, and refresh rate settings. To start your computer in VGA mode, use one of the following methods:

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Use the Enable VGA Mode Startup Option

 * 1) Restart your computer.
 * 2) When you see the &quot;Please select the operating system to start&quot; message, press F8.
 * 3) On the Windows Advanced Option menu, use the arrow keys to select Enable VGA Mode, and then press ENTER.
 * 4) If you are using a dual-boot or multiple-boot computer, select Microsoft Windows Server 2003, and then press ENTER.
 * 5) Log on to your computer, and then follow the steps that are described earlier in the &quot;How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor&quot; section of this article.

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Use the /Basevideo Switch in the Boot.ini File
You can also force your computer to start in VGA mode by configuring the Boot.ini file. To do so, edit the Boot.ini file to include the /basevideo switch. This setting corresponds to the Enable VGA Mode startup option. For additional information about how to edit the Boot.ini file, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

323427 HOW TO: Edit the Boot.ini File in Windows Server 2003

After you start your computer and log on, follow the steps that are described earlier in the &quot;How to Change the Refresh Frequency for Your Monitor&quot; section of this article to change the refresh frequency for the monitor.

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Keywords: kbMgmtServices kbhowto kbHOWTOmaster KB325373

Technology: kbSBServ2003Pre kbSBServ2003Search kbSBServ2003St kbSBServSearch kbWinServ2003Data kbWinServ2003Data64bit kbWinServ2003Data64bitSearch kbWinServ2003DataSearch kbWinServ2003Ent kbWinServ2003Ent64bit kbWinServ2003Ent64bitSearch kbWinServ2003EntSearch kbWinServ2003Search kbWinServ2003St kbWinServ2003Web

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