Monitor Refresh Rate Is Changed After Upgrading to Windows 2000 (228212)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Professional
This article was previously published under Q228212

SYMPTOMS

After upgrading your computer from Microsoft Windows 95 to Windows 2000, your video adapter refresh rate may be set to 60 hertz (Hz). Also, the screen may flicker, and this behavior may be more noticeable under fluorescent lighting.

CAUSE

This issue can occur for any of the following reasons:
  • Windows 2000 Setup was not able to determine the correct refresh rate for your monitor.
  • Your monitor is an interlaced display. Some video adapters and monitors support high resolutions in interlaced modes only.
  • Slower video refresh rates can cause flicker at high resolutions. The video adapter and monitor may support a higher refresh rate for the resolution you are using.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, use the appropriate method:

Windows 2000 Setup Did Not Detect the Refresh Rate

WARNING: Before following this procedure, refer to the documentation for your video adapter and monitor to determine which refresh rates are supported by your hardware. Configuring your hardware to use a refresh rate that your hardware does not support could damage your monitor, and is not recommended.
  1. Right-click the desktop, click Properties, and then click Settings.
  2. Click Advanced, and then click Monitor.
  3. On the Refresh Frequency list, click the appropriate refresh rate, click Apply, and then click OK to test the new refresh rate.
  4. If the test screen is visible, click Yes on the Monitor Settings dialog box. If the test screen is not visible, contact your hardware manufacturer to inquire about the availability of a fix for this issue.
  5. Click OK, and then click OK to close Display Properties.

Your Monitor Is an Interlaced Display or You Are Using High Resolution

To reduce flicker, configure your computer to display fewer colors:
  1. Right-click the desktop, click Properties, and then click Settings.
  2. In the Colors drop down list, click on a palette with fewer colors. For example, if you are currently using True Color (32 bit), click on High Color (16 bit).
  3. Click Apply, and then click OK to test the new color palette.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Windows 2000.

MORE INFORMATION

Screen flicker results from a variety of factors, the most important of which is the monitor refresh rate. If the refresh rate is too slow, the screen may appear to glimmer. Another factor that affects screen flicker is the persistence of the screen phosphors. Low-persistence phosphors fade more quickly than high-persistence phosphors, making screen flicker more likely. Screen flicker can also be affected by fluorescent lighting. Also, screen flicker is a subjective perception that affects people differently. Some people perceive screen flicker where others do not. Most people perceive no screen flicker if the refresh rate is 72 MHz or higher. To reduce the affects of screen flicker, use solid colors for the Windows desktop, rather than dithers and patterns. If you have fluorescent lighting, you may want to configure your hardware to use a non-interlaced video adapter mode.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/5/2003
Keywords:kbdisplay kbHardware kbprb kbui KB228212
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.