What is the proper way to adjust my monitor?

The monitor should be adjusted to provide a comfortable viewing experience. Adjusted improperly, a monitor can contribute to eye strain and fatigue. The main controls for this are Brightness and Contrast.

Similar to televisions, Brightness controls the level of the color black, while Contrast adjusts the whites and lighter color levels. Open a dark screen such as a MS-DOS prompt that has a black background. If you raise the Brightness level all the way, you will likely see the black lighten as bands of white appear. Lower the Brightness level until just after these bands disappear and the background is completely black. Then adjust the Contrast level to a point suitable for your lighting conditions and preferences.

February 1998

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