Helping people with computers... one answer at a time.
I'm running Windows XP on a Dell Inspiron 6000. Firefox is my browser. Every time I turn Foxfire on, my screen resolution drops from 32 bit to 8 bit.
If I leave Foxfire on and reset the resolution to the original 32 bit, it stays there unless I turn FF off and then on again when the problem reasserts itself again.
Any idea why, or what to do to prevent it?
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Well, I know how to do it on purpose, but having happen by accident is a new one to me.
Let's look at how it's done on purpose, and see if undoing that helps you.
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Windows provides this functionality for compatibility purposes. It's not used often, but some old, or perhaps poorly written programs simply can't handle rich color depth.
Right click on the shortcut you're using to start Firefox (or whatever program you're interested in), and click on Properties. In the resulting dialog box click on the Compatibility tab, and you should see something much like this:
As you can see, there are several options that you can select relating to the environment that this particular program would be run under when it's started. One of which is "Run in 256 colors".
I'm guessing that's selected, either for the shortcut you use to start Firefox, or for Firefox itself. Double check both, make sure that option is not selected, and see if that doesn't help.
If it was selected, the question is why? As you can see, the setting is fairly well buried. I'm not certain how it could get set accidentally.
Article C2678 - June 4, 2006
Leo A. Notenboom has been playing with computers since he
was required to take a programming class in 1976. An 18 year career as a programmer at Microsoft soon followed.
After "retiring" in 2001, Leo started Ask Leo! in 2003 as a place for answers
to common computer and technical questions. More about Leo.
I think I finally found the problem. I opened MS Word & the zoom was set at 500%. Hope this helps someone.
Posted by: mitchel at October 30, 2009 6:11 PMMitchel
when ever I re-boot my display moves from 32 bit to 8 bit, and I have to re-set it.
Posted by: William Stott at January 15, 2010 10:51 PMI have tried the compatiblity exercise and it only says : Compatibility mode cannot be set on this program because it's part of Windows XP.
What do I have to do to get my resolution right, now?
Posted by: Marita at March 6, 2010 9:23 PMwhen ever I re-boot my display moves from 32 bit to 8 bit, and I have to re-set it.I have never got a usable answer.
Posted by: William Stott at April 2, 2010 10:54 PMthis worked for me perfectly, not sure how that got clicked in the first place but thanks anyway.
Posted by: Rob at April 7, 2010 5:19 PM