Your Screen Flickers and Display Quality Is Poor When You Use Virtual PC in Full Screen Mode (824964)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Virtual PC 2004
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.2
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.1
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 5.0
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.3
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.2
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.1
  • Connectix Virtual PC for Windows version 4.0

SYMPTOMS

When you use Virtual PC in Full Screen mode, you may notice one or more of the following issues:
  • The screen may appear to flicker.
  • The proportions of the display may be distorted or irregular.
  • The display quality may be poorer than it is when you are not using Virtual PC in Full Screen mode.

CAUSE

This issue may occur if your guest PC uses the default DirectX Direct Draw screen refresh rate of 60 hertz (Hz). Virtual PC uses the DirectX Direct Draw screen refresh rate in Full Screen mode.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, configure DirectX on the guest PC to use a higher screen refresh rate. To do this, follow these steps:
  1. Bring the guest PC window to the front.
  2. Click Start, click Run, type dxdiag, and then click OK.
  3. Click the More Help tab, and then click Override.
  4. Click Override Value, and then type a higher screen refresh rate. The best screen refresh rate to use depends on your monitor. Common screen refresh rates include 70 Hz, 72 Hz, 75 Hz, and 85 Hz.

    If you are not sure which rate to use, you can use the screen refresh rate that your host PC uses. To find this out, follow these steps:
    1. Bring the host PC window to the front.
    2. Click Start, click Control Panel, and then double-click Display.
    3. Click the Settings tab, and then click Advanced.
    4. Click the Monitor tab, and then view the Screen refresh rate box.

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/18/2003
Keywords:kbprb kbinfo KB824964