The only real explanation for this is that you are running the video
card at a display resolution that is different from the physical LCD
panel installed in that particular laptop. Turn off Font smoothing
(including "ClearType") and set the DPI setting to "normal" (100%).
Then try, if necessary, every resolution offered. The resolution of the
panel may be different from what you think it is (for example, on a
brand new 6400/E1505, Dell offers 4 different LCD panels, 3 of which
have different resolutions .... so the computer model really gives you
no hint as to what the resolution of any given computer is). After you
find the correct resolution, then you can go back and play with font
smoothing and the DPI settings if you want to.

Note that if you are using IE7, it has it's own setting for ClearType
which is separate and distinct from the overall Windows ClearType setting.




media wrote:
> I'm having this trouble on a brand new Dell. 2 hours with tech support
> did not result in a solution.
> Any graphics on the internet and the desktop icons are jagged and not
> smooth. I am running the standard 1900 resolution and have changed it
> but it is still jagged. Even icons down by the systray are jagged. I
> tried adjusting the DPI and font smoothing as well. This is an
> expensive laptop, and this should not be happening...3D is fine, it's
> the jpg's and bmp's on the net and the desktop that are jagged, looking
> like an 8 bit video card. Any help would be appreciated.
>