Monitor How To - PC Guide https://www.pcguide.com Practical Guides to PC & Tech at Home, Work, and Play Sat, 20 Apr 2024 15:02:33 +0000 en-US https://www.pcguide.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/PCguide-favicon-75x75.png Monitor How To - PC Guide https://www.pcguide.com 32 32 How to change primary monitor in Windows 10 These days, rocking a dual or even a three-monitor setup has become the norm, usually doing your work on one with the other(s) being there for either entertainment or for all the other Chrome tabs you have open.

What some struggle with, and probably why you’re reading this article right now, is how to change your primary monitor in Windows 10.

It’s pretty easy to hook up multiple monitors as it’s just cables from your PC to the display(s) but when it comes to making the right one the primary focus, the settings are a little hidden.

We’re going to go through the ways you can change your primary monitor in Windows 10 both via the OS’ settings and if you have a dedicated GPU, through settings located there too.

Top Monitor Deals

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And that's that. You should have got your monitors all set up via AMD Radeon Settings - putting your primary display in the place you want it.

There we have it, three different methods for changing your primary monitor in Windows 10. The first method, via Windows 10 Display Settings is the fastest but if you do own a dedicated graphics card and would rather go down that route, you can.

Once you’ve got your primary monitor in place, you might want to change your refresh rate or even overclock it to get the most out of it. You can even learn how to clean it properly with our top tips.

How do I change monitor 1 to number 2?

To change your screen number in Windows 10 - that is the actual number shown on a screen in your Display Settings - you'll need to alter your Windows registry. It is much easier to set the primary display (as detailed in the steps above) and to drag the displays into the configuration or order you want. The 1 and 2 on your displays are purely for Windows to keep track of which display is which.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/change-primary-monitor-windows-10/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14501 Fri, 17 Feb 2023 14:08:44 +0000
How to fix Yellow Screen Modern computer screens boast a crisp and clear resolution and should display a true white glow.

Not all screens have this and some have slightly off colors which is perfectly normal, however, if your screen is displaying a yellow hue, there is definitely something wrong. 

The yellow tint may feel like an applied filter. It changes how things look from movies, documents, images, and the desktop.

The difference isn't subtle or stark depending on tint intensity. If the yellow isn't intense, how can you check if the screen is actually damaged rather than just displaying an odd color? 

If the yellow tint is very subtle, it's likely that the surrounding light might be creating it, and your display isn't truly tinted. You may also have a damaged screen.

To test this, turn off any lights in the room except the display's brightness. 

Then, increase the brightness of the display to its full capacity.

Next, open a new document in Wordpad. Maximize the window and look for a yellow tint. If there is indeed a yellow tint, try the fixes listed below.

Ways To Fix The Dreaded Yellow Screen

Conclusion

If none of the above works it may be the screen that is damaged, contact a local IT specialist to find out ways to fix the screen or invest in a new one. 

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https://www.pcguide.com/software/how-to/fix-yellow-screen/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=143640 Wed, 23 Nov 2022 09:07:18 +0000
How to rotate a screen on Windows, Mac, and iPhone Knowing how to rotate a screen is useful, as by default screens that are horizontal may not allow the best viewing of certain files or webpages. Yes, a horizontal screen is perfect for everyday use such as surfing the internet, web browsing, and other tasks. But a situation may arise where a rotated screen is the best option - particularly for spreadsheets, infographics etc. 

Rotating a display in Windows is straightforward

If you’d like to return to horizontal orientation, simply repeat the steps above.

It is important to note that if the rotation setting does not appear, then your device is not likely to support this function.

As mentioned earlier, although you can find tricks on how to force the rotation of your screen online, this isn't advised as it can damage your device.

Final Thoughts

If your device allows it, rotating your screen is very useful and will allow you to view certain documents or digital items at their full capacity.

PC users can also check out our guide on how to change your primary monitor in Windows 11.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/rotate-screen-windows-mac-iphone/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=148085 Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:02:07 +0100
How to Fix Screen Tearing So, we’re going to go through several ways you can fix screen tearing. From changing resolution rates to turning off any frame limits, you should be able to find the solution for you. If you are keen to learn more about refresh rates, then have a quick peruse of this article when you get a moment.

Enough talking, let’s get into it.

Understanding the Causes of Screen Tearing

Screen tearing can be a frustrating issue, but understanding its causes is the first step in resolving it. One common cause is a mismatch between the monitor's refresh rate and the frame rate of the content being displayed.

When the two don't sync up, screen tearing can occur. It's important to consider the impact of graphic settings such as V-Sync, G-Sync, or FreeSync technologies, as they can significantly affect screen tearing.

Hardware Considerations

To address screen tearing, upgrading your monitor can make a noticeable difference. Look for a monitor with a higher refresh rate, as this allows for smoother and more fluid motion. Additionally, investing in a monitor equipped with Adaptive Sync technology, such as G-Sync or FreeSync, can help mitigate screen tearing issues.

These technologies synchronize the monitor's refresh rate with the graphics card, resulting in a more seamless visual experience. When selecting a new monitor, consider your specific needs and budget to find the best fit for fixing screen tearing.

Fix screen tearing – step-by-step

Additional Tips and Best Practices

While adjusting hardware and graphic settings can go a long way in fixing screen tearing, there are additional tips and best practices to consider. First, minimize background processes that may strain your system's resources, as they can contribute to screen tearing. Ensuring optimal cooling for your system is also crucial, as overheating can impact performance and exacerbate screen tearing.

Additionally, utilizing FPS limiters can help regulate frame rates and reduce the likelihood of screen tearing. By implementing these tips and best practices, you can further prevent or minimize screen tearing for a smoother and more enjoyable viewing experience.

Remember, by understanding the causes, considering hardware upgrades, and implementing additional tips and best practices, you can effectively fix screen tearing and optimize your monitor's performance for a visually seamless experience.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/fix-screen-tearing/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14659 Fri, 07 Aug 2020 16:50:21 +0100
How to fix dead pixels So, you’ve either had your monitor for a while now or you’ve just hooked up your PC to it and noticed that there are some tiny little dots on your screen. These dots could actually be dead pixels and will become extremely annoying if you can’t see past that they’re actually there. Don’t lose all hope though, if you do have dead pixels on your monitor, there could be ways to fix them, rejuvenating life back into your monitor, hopefully making it as good as new.

There are multiple ways in which you can potentially fix dead pixels but they’re not absolutely guaranteed and unfortunately, sometimes they’ll forever be lost to the void. Pixels that are fully dead, can’t be revived but those that are stuck can. We’re going to list all the methods in which are most likely to fix your stuck, dead pixels, and no, none of them involve putting your monitor in rice.

How To Identify Dead Pixels On Your Monitor

Before you get to any fixing, you’re going to need to identify if you do actually have dead pixels on your monitor screen. You can do this by using a website like Dead Pixel Buddy which displays a block color of your choice to hopefully highlight those pixels that are looking a little worse for wear.

If you do see some on your screen, if they’re fully dead, they’ll appear as black on a white background whereas saveable ones will show as white on a black background. You can still try the methods of rejuvenation below on those black ones but it will be highly unlikely to succeed.

How To Fix Dead Pixels

Now we’re at the point where we can try and get those pesky pixels fixed. There are a number of methods but as alluded to earlier, we’re only going to focus on those that are the most likely to succeed.

How To Fix Dead Pixels With JScreenFix

JScreenFix is a website that has been developed for one purpose – helping you bring your pixels back to working order. It works by flashing the affected area with a full spectrum of colors in a ‘white noise’ fashion, to breathe life back into the pixels.

Here’s how to access and use JScreenFix:

Open your favorite web browser and head over to the JScreenFix websiteHit the “Launch JScreenFix” button at the bottom of the pageMove the square of colorful pixels over the ‘dead’ sectionLeave this to do its work for between 10-30 minutes

If this fixed your dead pixels then fantastic but if not, try using JScreenFix’s tool a couple more times as it might just require more work before they spring back to life again. However, if you’re not successful after multiple tries, you might have to go for another method.

How To Fix Dead Pixels With PixelHealer

Unlike JScreenFix, PixelHealer is a downloadable program for Windows rather than being web-based. Again, it differs from JScreenFix with its methodology as it uses a block color flashing technique rather than the almost ‘white noise’ effect to try and get those pixels working again.

If you do want to use PixelHealer, you’ll need to get it downloaded first, click here to get that started. Once installed, here’s how to use the program:

Open up PixelHealerSelect the size of the window you’d like to play those flashing colorsChoose your desired time scale (we’d recommend between 10-30 minutes)Select which colors you’d like in the rotationHit “Start Flashing” to begin the process

If this fixed your dead pixels then perfect but if not, try using PixelHealer a few more times to jumpstart them. However, if you’re not successful after multiple tries, you might have to either go and use JScreenFix if you haven’t already, otherwise read on for one more method.

How To Fix Dead Pixels With YouTube Videos

YouTube is rife with tutorials, tips, and tricks for pretty much anything you can think of. Thankfully, there’s also a bunch of videos to hopefully aid you in fixing your dead pixels. Most of the videos out there utilize a similar method to that of PixelHealer, flashing block colors extremely fast in an effort to get them working again. There are also some ‘white noise’ effect ones similar to JScreenFix that could help if the block colors fail.

But don’t these do the same thing as the methods we’ve already listed? Yes, that’s right but YouTube is an extremely easy site to use and you can jump between videos if you want to try alternatives rather than having to go to different websites or download any new programs. Basically, it’s an ease of use thing if you want to try a bunch of different videos for fixing your pixels.

Because there’s a sea of options out there, we recommend starting for this one as it’s an hour-long, ample time to get those pixels going as well as going through a number of colors and speeds. If you don’t fancy going for a block color route, as stated, there are also ’white noise’ variants. We recommend going for this video as again, it’s lengthy providing enough time to get the job done.

If you’ve got this far and your pixels haven’t come back to life then it might be time to accept defeat. You can continue to run whichever pixel rejuvenation method you opt for and still hold out hope but if it’s still not working after multiple tries and hours of flashing, it might be worth putting down the tools. You don’t want to potentially create more bad pixels from continuing to put them under intense usage.

If you are accepting defeat, why not treat yourself to a brand new monitor to replace your current model. Something like the Asus ROG Swift PG27UQ 27″ Monitor is an absolutely stellar pick, boasting that impressive 4k resolution as well as a 144Hz refresh rate, perfect for gaming and any work that requires silky smooth motion.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/fix-dead-pixels/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14548 Wed, 05 Aug 2020 12:16:02 +0100
How to get the most out of your monitor https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/get-the-most-out-of-your-monitor/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14538 Tue, 04 Aug 2020 14:59:02 +0100 How To Connect A PC To A TV Ok, numerous people out there often want to project their laptop onto their TV so that they can watch films and shows on their big screen. It’s a simple enough thing to want from your laptop, and it's simply done as well – the thing is, if you have never done it before, it can be a little confusing.

So, if you are totally stumped with how to connect your laptop or PC to a TV, then just read on – hopefully, this guide will clear things up for you.

What about apps that aren’t based on an online browser, or that take a little more to get connected to than the press of a button?

Well, it’s still important to make sure that all of your devices are registered to the same network, as that is the key to all of this. Then, you have to figure out what media player you are using.

If you are using Films and TV on Windows

For example, you will find a small options menu on the bottom left of your screen that will open up to show one option being ‘cast to device’.Select this option and your Windows will open up a window showing nearby available wireless devices that are ready to be cast to.

If you are using VLC media player

Then you need to head to the playback menu at the top of the media players toolbar, and select ‘Renderer’.Once you have done this, VLC should begin scanning automatically for different devices on your network capable of being cast to, and presenting them as alternatives to your PC or laptop screen. Pretty easy stuff!

You can even cut out the apps completely here, and right-click on the file you want to play, and then select ‘cast to device’. The devices capable of supporting the media will be shown on your PC, and you can get watching right from there!

If you are using a Macbook

Then things get a little more difficult.

Firstly, you need to make sure that your TV is recognizable by Mac devices.If it isn’t, then consider buying yourself a Chromecast – loads of different apps and software recognize Chromecast, and they are painless to use.

Anyway, once you have a Mac recognizable television or Chromecast on your network, the next step is to figure out how to get your media onto that television from the Mac itself. Sadly, there is no Apple solution for this, so you have to turn to a third-party app for a solution.

Airflow is one such app that is incredibly easy to use, and once you have it installed on your machine.

Then, all you need to do to watch movies or media on your TV that you have saved on your Mac is drag and drop the files into the Airflow menu to begin playback.

The downside here is that this app does cost money – about $19, which can be off-putting to some. The alternative here is to cast the entire Mac desktop to your TV. But fair warning here, this process can be laggy, riddled with latency and overall bad quality, so you might find yourself reaching in the wallet for that $19 after all.

Anyway, to cast your Mac desktop to a television, you are going to need to have Google Chrome installed. Open up Chrome and then head to more, then select cast. Find your Chromecast (or compatible TV) in the list and select ‘Cast Desktop’ from the list of options – it’s that easy.

The same type of process can be done on Windows devices as well, and it couldn’t be simpler.

Just click the settings icon in the bottom right of your screen – the icon that looks like a square on the far right of the toolbar.

Then hit project, and you will be met with some different options on how you want to cast your PC or laptop screen. Just select the version that you would like to do (duplicate if you just want to see your screen on the television) and then select the device that you would like to see your computer connected to.

Takeaway

As far as connecting your PC to a television goes, this just about covers the main questions out there. But if you do need to know anything else, just drop us a comment below, and we will do our best to make sure that you get the information you need!

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/connect-computer-to-tv/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14485 Sat, 01 Aug 2020 19:30:01 +0100
How to Clean a Monitor Screen There’s nothing worse when gaming or doing work and having those annoying specs of dust on your monitor screen, making words on the display look strange or creating an illusion of an enemy in the distance. Cleaning your monitor screen is necessary to remove grime, even if you may not want to do it. However, it requires careful handling to avoid damage.

Today, we’re going to go through how not to clean your monitor screen. We will provide you with the main things to avoid. This will prevent potential monitor mutilation.

Additionally, we will give you strategies for successful completion. You'll also receive information about the necessary products and required methods.

Importance of Cleaning Your Monitor Screen

Keeping your monitor screen clean is crucial for maintaining optimal performance and extending its longevity. Over time, dust, fingerprints, and smudges can accumulate on the screen surface, impacting the quality of the displayed images and overall viewing experience. Regular cleaning not only enhances the visual clarity, but also ensures the longevity of your monitor.

Dust, the common nemesis of electronics, can settle on the screen surface and obscure the images displayed. This accumulation can lead to a hazy or dull appearance, diminishing the sharpness and vibrancy of colors. By regularly cleaning your monitor screen, you can remove this layer of dust and restore its original clarity, ensuring that every detail is crisp and vibrant.

Fingerprints and smudges are unavoidable, especially if you frequently interact with your monitor screen, whether it's for work, gaming, or entertainment. These smudges can leave unsightly marks and distort the displayed images, impacting the overall visual experience. Regular cleaning helps eliminate fingerprints and smudges, resulting in a cleaner and more immersive viewing experience.

Moreover, cleaning your monitor screen goes beyond aesthetics. Dust particles and oily residues can settle into the tiny crevices of the screen, potentially causing long-term damage. Over time, these particles can affect the screen's performance and even lead to malfunctions. By maintaining a clean screen, you reduce the risk of dust buildup and extend the lifespan of your monitor.

To ensure optimal performance and longevity, it is recommended to incorporate regular cleaning into your monitor maintenance routine. This simple yet effective practice not only enhances the visual quality but also safeguards your investment. Remember, a clean monitor screen translates to a clearer, more vibrant display, allowing you to fully enjoy your digital experience.

Always refer to your monitor manufacturer's guidelines and recommendations for the best cleaning practices specific to your model.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/clean-screen/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14449 Fri, 31 Jul 2020 09:30:22 +0100
How to change your monitor refresh rate easily Monitor refresh rates are a technical aspect of PCs that many beginners overlook but it’s something that can improve your overall experience, as well as potentially causing less strain on your eyes. Changing your monitor refresh rate is a pretty simple process, so even if it’s your first PC and you barely know the ins and outs, you too can get it done quickly. We’re going to detail what refresh rates actually mean, how to check your current monitor refresh rate, and finally, how to change your monitor refresh rate.

What do monitor refresh rates mean?

Refresh rates are the frequency with which the image on a computer monitor or similar electronic display screen is refreshed, usually expressed in hertz. Breaking this down into simpler terms with meaning, essentially refresh rates are the number of times the image being displayed on your monitor is regenerated to prevent flicker when viewed with the human eye. Naturally, this means the higher the refresh rate of the monitor, the better performance you’ll see when gaming, for example, boasting silky smoothness no matter how fast you’re moving that mouse about.

The most common refresh rate you’ll see is usually 60Hz and is plenty for the everyday user but with more advanced monitor tech entering the market, you can pick one up that has a massive 240Hz refresh rate. Higher refresh rate monitors are usually the go-to choice for gamers who normally opt for between 144Hz and 240Hz variants, predominantly leading to increased performance in multiplayer titles.

How to check your monitor refresh rate

Final thoughts

And there you go, it's as simple as that. That's how you change your monitor refresh rate. It's a pretty straight forward process as you can see - and means you will reap visual benefits!

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/change-refresh-rate/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14351 Wed, 29 Jul 2020 11:49:46 +0100
How to overclock a monitor If you’re an avid tweaker of PCs you probably know by now that you’re able to overclock your internal components to give them a little more oomph, but did you know there’s some external hardware you can overclock too? Yes, the article’s title gave it away, with the right know-how, you can overclock your monitor.

You might be thinking what overclocking a monitor actually does to it, well, once the overclock has been applied, you’ll be able to increase the refresh rate, allowing you to upgrade it from something like 60Hz to 144Hz, depending on the model of monitor you own. Why’s that should a big deal? We’ll get onto that now.

What Do Monitor Refresh Rates Mean?

How To Overclock Your Monitor With Intel Graphics Control Panel

We mentioned earlier that CRU doesn’t work with integrated Intel graphics but luckily you’re able to do so with their proprietary software. To download the Intel Graphics Control Panel click here and get into overclocking your monitor.

Open Intel Graphics Control PanelHit the display optionSelect the custom resolutions optionEnter your desired refresh rate as well as the width and height requiredPress addIf your refresh rate is above the max, the control panel will inform you and you’ll either have to quit the program or attempt to try again.If you get a successful prompt, reboot your machine.

After all of this has been done, use the steps provided above for the Windows display settings (mentioned in the CRU method) to complete the process.

Refresh rates are the frequency with which the image on a computer monitor or similar electronic display screen is refreshed, usually expressed in hertz. Breaking this down into simpler terms with meaning, essentially refresh rates are the number of times the image being displayed on your monitor is regenerated to prevent flicker when viewed with the human eye. Naturally, this means the higher the refresh rate of the monitor, the better performance you’ll see when gaming, for example, boasting silky smoothness no matter how fast you’re moving that mouse about.

The most common refresh rate you’ll see is usually 60Hz and is plenty for the everyday user but with more advanced monitor tech entering the market, you can pick one up that has a massive 240Hz refresh rate. As alluded before, higher refresh rate monitors are usually the go-to choice for gamers who normally opt for between 144Hz and 240Hz variants, predominantly leading to increased performance in multiplayer titles.

Can Your Monitor Be Overclocked?

So you want to know how to overlock your monitor but first, you need to know if your monitor can handle the extra strain.

You can in fact access overclocking on pretty much all monitors but we advise you to check the brand and model of your monitor as some manufacturers overclock your monitor as a standard before shipping. If you then increase the strain even further, it will cause you some serious issues.

We recommend searching around for other user success stories on overclocking your specific model of monitor and increase your Hz in increments of 5 to ensure you won’t be damaging your screen and can quickly revert the overclocking if you see any problems forming.

How To Overclock Your Monitor

There are a number of ways you can access the overclocking function for your monitor but all of these require third-party software to do so. We’re going to list all of the programs you’ll need as well as what options to pick so you can overclock your monitor safely.

How To Overclock Your Monitor With Custom Resolution Utility

Custom Resolution Utility (CRU) is a tried and tested method of overlocking your monitor but unfortunately, it might not be compatible with your system. It isn’t compatible with some GPUs or integrated Intel graphics so check your setup and see if you can use CRU as your method of overclocking. If you can, let’s get to the steps.

Firstly, you’ll need to download CRU, click here to do so.

Once it’s been downloaded, open CRUThere should be two boxes on show; detailed resolutions and standard resolutions.Select detailed resolutions and click addNow click on timing and change it to the LCD standard optionChange the refresh rate to above your stock level. Start with increments of 5Hz to ensure you don’t damage your display.Click OK and reboot your PC.

Once your PC has been rebooted you need to go into Windows display settings and change the refresh rate, there should be more options now available to you.

Right-click anywhere on your desktop and select display settingsClick advanced display settingsSelect display settingsHead to the monitor tab and choose your desired refresh rate.

If you’ve successfully overclocked your monitor it won’t go black. If it did go black, it’ll revert back to the previous settings in 15 seconds and you should see your monitor come back to life.

How To Overclock Your Monitor With AMD Radeon Settings

There are many advantages to choosing an AMD GPU and another of these is the Radeon Settings application. It allows you to customize a bunch of graphics settings as well as overclocking your monitor.

If you don’t have AMD Radeon Settings installed on your PC, download it here to get started. Without further ado let’s get into it.

Right-click anywhere on your desktop and choose AMD Radeon SettingsHead over the display tabNow go to custom resolutions and hit createAdjust the refresh rate to your desired HzHit saveNow, reboot your computer and repeat the above steps to adjust the refresh rate if necessary.

After all of this has been done, use the steps provided above for the Windows display settings (mentioned in the CRU method) to complete the process.

How To Overclock Your Monitor With NVIDIA Control Panel

Like AMD, if you’re sporting an NVIDIA GPU, they also have a set of controls to tweak your monitor’s overclocking. Before we get into the steps, as always, ensure the NVIDIA control panel is installed. Click here if you haven’t.

Right-click anywhere on your desktop and choose NVIDIA control panelExpand the display menu in the control panelHit change resolution and then create custom resolutionChange the Hz value to suit what refresh rate you wantYou can now test by pressing the test option until you’re happyOnce you’re happy, reboot your machine

After all of this has been done, use the steps provided above for the Windows display settings (mentioned in the CRU method) to complete the process.

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https://www.pcguide.com/monitor/how-to/overclock/ https://www.pcguide.com/?p=14332 Wed, 29 Jul 2020 09:11:17 +0100