Change how Windows looks

Go to; Start/Settings/Control Panel/ Double click, "Display" icon. This will bring up a window with tabs across the top. The first tab and the one that probably came up is "Background". This is what is on your desk top when you boot up. The window on the left has all of the available backgrounds on your PC. The first on the list is "None". This will usually default to the "Pool table" green which can be altered in another tab. (computer logic again). Run the scroll down to view the various options available. Most of these options are files in C:/ Windows and have a .BMP file extension. This makes it easy to put in your own background picture. A picture drawn in a paint program or a photo, as long as it has a .BMP file extension and is sized for your screen. Normally 640 x 480 pixels. You can even make a new pattern background in a paint program by just making a small block. Which, many of the options you see are. Then put it in C:/Windows folder and it will show up as one of the options in this window. You can use the "Browse" button to the right to search for other files that can be used as a backgrounds. You also have the option to modify any existing pattern in the "pattern" button.

Select the "Pattern" button. In the left window scroll down to view the optional patterns. Select one of the patterns and select "Center" in the small bar window labeled: "Display" Select the "Edit Pattern" button. This brings up the "Pattern Editor". Select the arrow to the right in the bar window. This will show the optional patterns available. Pick one and select it. This puts a sample of the pattern in the "Sample" window on the right and a magnified sample of the actual pixels that it took to make the pattern in the left window. You can edit a pattern and add the new pattern to your list. Or just change an existing pattern.

Keep in mind that "Pattern" covers your screen first and wallpaper goes over Pattern so if your wallpaper is not a full screen, the pattern will show around the edges. That is what it is for. It is no use putting up a pattern then a full screen wallpaper over it.

To make a new pattern from an existing pattern and still keep the original. Select an existing pattern that is close to what you might want. This puts a sample in the right window (sample). The pattern window on the left shows the pixels that make the pattern. In the bar (name) window, highlight, the name if it is not already highlighted. Then type in the new name that you want for your pattern.

Select any one of the pixels light or dark colored. Note that each time you select a pixel it changes from dark to light or from light to dark and at the same time you can see the difference in the sample in the right window. This allows you to view the results as you make the changes. When you are satisfied with the new pattern, and you have the new name in the bar window, select "Add" then select "Done".

Now you are back at the "Pattern" window and your new pattern is listed in the "Preview" window. Unless you want that pattern to be applied, scroll the left window to the top and select "None" and hit "OK".

Now back at the "Background" tab in the "Display Properties" window. Scroll the wallpapers to the bottom and select "Windows 98". Select "Apply" then select the "Screen Saver" tab.

You will see a Screen Saver bar window in the upper left. Scroll it to see all the optional screen savers. Most of the screen savers can be edited with the "settings" button. The screen saver shows on the small monitor but if you want to see a brief full screen preview just highlight the screen saver you want to view and hit "Preview". The "Wait" timer is how long you can leave the PC without any activity before it activates.

If you want to use a Password to log on, just check the box next to "Password Protection" and select "change" to enter your password.

"Energy saving features of monitor" may vari on different systems. However, you can look in the "settings" button to see what options you have.

Any changes you have made in your screen savers etc. can be activated by hitting "Apply" button. "OK" will also activate any changes and exit you from that window. However, I found it a good practice to use "Apply" even if you intend to close the window. The reason is; It can quickly become a habit to exit a window using "OK" which will activate any and all changes made, even if they were accidental. The "OK", "Cancel" and "Apply" is used in many places throughout Win-98 and an accidental activation of things in other places can cause lots of problems. If you start making a habit of using "Apply" to activate then you can use "OK" only when you have used "Apply" and normally exit a window with "Cancel". Any accidental changes made in a window will not be applied when you exit using "Cancel".

 Select the "Appearance" tab at the top and you will have a window with a few folders in it. If you select any item in the window you will note that the three items below the window will alternately activate allowing you to edit that item individually. Or, you can scroll the "Schemes" bar window to see all the pre-made schemes available. If you make any individual changes and want to try them for a while, select "Save As" and type in a name of your own then save it. DO NOT HIT THE "DELETE" BUTTON .

 You can experiment with different settings on the individual items in the window But! Be sure to hit "Save As" button when you are satisfied with the changes and add your own title to the new scheme that you have created. If you want to return to the default scheme select "Windows Standard"/"Apply"/"OK".

 The last three tabs at the top are: "Effects", "Web" and "Settings". I do not advise you to change any of the settings in any of these tabs at this time. As you become more familiar with your system you may want to alter some of the settings but for now you should bypass these.