Web Page Doesn't Fill Window

Question

On Internet Explorer, the web pages from certain sites, including Dell and MSN, do not fill the window from left to right. Instead, there's about an inch or two of empty space on the left or right or both sides of the web page. Of course this makes everything smaller and harder to read. I noticed this for the first time today. When I open the same web pages on my wife's computer, the pages do fill the window. Also, web pages from other sites do fill the Internet Explorer window on my computer just as they do on hers. I've had my computer just a few days, and I've been making a number of adjustments. The only thing I recall doing today is to adjust the vertical size and horizontal size of the screen image, using the buttons on the front of the monitor. That was to bring the screen image on all programs out to the edge of the CRT, eliminating a black border. Can anyone tell me why these web pages don't fill the window from left to right, and what I can do to fix it? Thanks, Phil

chuket · Answer

Phil Flx

You could try this if you haven't already tried it. Move the cursor the the right/left border of the page until it turns into a double arrow <->. Then drag the edge of the page to the left/right until it fills the screen. Then hold down the [ctrl] key and from the file tab, select 'close'. Close IE and then reopen to the same page that was giving you trouble. It should now open to the correct size.

Phil Flx · Answer

Thanks. But no, this doesn't work. When I move the cursor the the right/left border of the page, it does not turn into a double arrow <->.

To clarify the situation: The Internet Explorer window fills the entire screen. The problem is that the web page does not fill the entire Internet Explorer window. There is empty space within the Internet Explorer window, to the right/left of the web page.

ajmi81978 · Answer

This is the way my computer is also since I adjusted the screen resolution from 800 by 600, to 1024 by 768.  (It's in Start, Control Panel, Appearance and Themes, Change the Screen Resolution.)  It makes everything smaller so more can easily fit on the screen.  I also clicked Advanced and increased the dpi setting to large.  This increases the size of everything on your screen for if you think it was too small to view comfortably.  However, web pages will still not fill IE.  I think maybe you are set at a high screen resolution and might prefer switching to 800 by 600?

Phil Flx · Answer

Thanks. But that doesn't seem to be the solution, either. The user guide for my monitor says 1024 X 768 is the optimal resolution. But after reading your post I tried to change it to 800 X 600 to see what that would do. I shut down and restarted as the instructions said to. When it started up again, my desktop icons were larger than before. But in a moment the screen went black, then came back on, and my  icons were small, like before. I went into control panel and checked the resolution--it was back to 1024 X 768. It seems I may have had 800 X 600 for just a moment, then the system rejected that. Anyway, I guess I won't pursue that, since 1024 X 768 is supposed to be optimal. Thanks again for the suggestion.

Mary G · Answer

MSN doesn't fill the screen at higher resolutions on my computer either. Your wife's computer probably is still using 800x600 or less. The smaller web pages are so everyone can see the whole screen without scrolling, no matter what their resolution. Go to Display Settings, try 1280x1024 or move the slider to see the different settings. Pick your favorite and adjust the other settings--size of icons, text, monitor settings, etc. so the screen is readable and the desktop fills the screen.   Edit--See Dan's fix for Dell Talk. It works. Thanks Message Edited by Mary G on 10-10-2004 05:17 PM

Dan Manley · Answer

Or, just go into your forum 'Preferences | Display' and check the box to display the forum at full-browser width.

JRosenfeld · Answer

Thanks Manley I was just wondering about that with the new board format. I like the new layout :-)

bmovchris · Answer

I had same issue after I bought dell 32 inch monitor - I fixed the issue by going to MS Settings then System then Display then Scale & Layout and going from recommended 150% to 200% - it works great now

Windows General

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