Quick fix for monitors that "flicker" under flourescent ligh

[Dave Baker]

Does your monitor seem to give you headaches? Are you using Windows?

I've seen a lot of folks who are working on monitors that "flicker," causing eyestrain and headaches, especially when the monitor is in a room that's illuminated by flourescent lights.

Often a quick and easy solution is to change the "refresh rate," which is a setting in the "Display" program that's part of the "Control Panel" in Windows. On my Windows 98, you'd click Start -> Settings -> Control Panels -> Display (double click) -> Settings (a tab) -> click Advanced button -> look for an Adapter tab -> look for a Refresh Rate setting.

Try setting the Refresh Rate to the highest value in that list -- 85 Hz or 75 Hz, for example. And try "Optimal" and "Adapter Default." Windows 98 lets you preview how the monitor will look under the new setting, so you can go back to the current setting easily if the new setting is no better or causes the monitor to act strangely.

Sometimes the difference is truly amazing. While visiting my accountant's office I made the change for their receptionist, who now thinks I walk on water

[RCK]

I also think that you walk on water--maybe only shallow water, but nonetheless. . . .

I stumbled across your suggestion while winding down from a tough week. The flickering has not given me headaches, but it has annoyed me. Thanks,

RCK

[Kirk Maldonado]

I had our tech support guy point that out to me also.

After several months of working with my notebook computer, I found that I vastly prefer it over a desktop computer, even though my desktop computer has a 17" color monitor. What made the difference, I came to realize, is that the LCD screen on the notebook does not have any flicker.

I realize that personal preference plays a big factor in this, but people that still suffer from flicker (myself included), may benefit from switching to an LCD monitor. Be warned, though, that they ware much more expensive.