The images on my screen seem to shimmer or flicker and give me a headache - is there anything I can do?

Dear Leo
We are suffering from Cancer. Ann had breast cancer. I myself have had head-cancer, in my head. When we rent books from the local library we get them out of the large print division, which makes it a lot easier to read. Do you have anything like this available for my DELL computer ?
Thanking you, John Meskers Sr

There are magnification tools that come with WIndows ... I'd check add/remove windows components in the control panel to see if they've been installed.

I'd also check the overall DPI setting windows runs at as described in this article: http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_make_the_text_on_my_screen_larger.html By changing it you should be able to magnify everything.

There are also windows themes in the Screen control panel that may choose larger fonts and color schemes that might also be helpful.

i have got a problem in changing the screen resolution of my lap top the setting shows default setting and to change the default setting of refresh rate in to lower it is inactive how can i make it active .
sincerly daniel.

Most LCD screens, such as on a laptop, do not allow you to change the refresh rate. (The whole "refresh rate" concept doesn't apply to a LCD connected via a digital interface.)

I recently had my computer reformatted and have installed the same programs as before. My screen fonts however are so faded and almost broken looking i cannot see type and its painful on the eyes. I went into properties/appearance/effects and chose the "clear type" option as opposed to the standard option for smoothing type edges and all of the font now has green and red shadow lines around it which is even more painful on the eyes. My monitor is an LCD.

Are they smaller than before? I'd be tempted to try this: http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_make_the_text_on_my_screen_larger.html

i turned my refresh rate to all listed and it did not stop the flickering i also have a buzzing sound coming from my screen. i went on holiday on friday and it was running fine then...any suggestions?

Depending on the buzzing, that may not be good. Your monitor may have a hardware problem. Unfortunately repairs are oiften more costly than simply replacing it.

Before you junk it, I would: turn it off for a few hours (if it's been on continuously), and if it has a "degauss" button, try pressing that while it's on.

As you can see from below testimonials, some LCDs are worse than CRTs
and
some CRTs are worse than LCDs

And all sorts of "expert" solutions (ranging the full gamut) fail - due to the problem with outgassing of flame-retardans/epoxy chemicals (& maybe more). It's all unregulated.
btw: you should also read the online PDF book Black On White, by Granlund-Lind which includes testimonials by many Swedish professionals such as engineers & CAD designers.
Anyway, here's the testimonials URL:

http://www.lemnet.com/guestbooks/view/?user=monitorp&book=1a&mode=sign

Ok, I read the article, did the procedure recommended. But I think mine is of a different category. The msn dialog box (when chatting to someone) has the flicker and moving issues (No other program has the issue.) sometimes just parts of the box "jumps" back and forth. Sometimes it is when there is a emoticon or wink that makes all the box on the left Jump or move. i am running xp home with sp2 if that helps. Thanks for any advice!