Display size in safe mode.

Dell Dimension 3000, ie8, xp pro. Just want to know why I can not reduce the size of everything in safe mode. The windows are so large and when I try to restore down they get bigger instead of smaller and I can not read the bottom of my window. For example when I bring up Microsoft Security Essentials interface it only shows the top half of the the window, and I can only push it up a little way to view maybe another inch of screen. I read on a previous forum question that it is because the vga something driver is set to a certain resolution. Is this true or can I somehow change my display in safe mode? I do not normally go into safe mode at all except to run a scan, or am advised to do something in there. Fortunately no threats were found or I would not have known what they were since the display results are at the hidden part of the screen. Not a big problem, but would like to know why. Thanks in advance. Liz,