640x480 in windows XP and a laptop, is it possible?

Question

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I need to test some programs in a 640x480 resolution environment.

In order to show the 640x480 I can select "list all modes" and then 640x480; but even the resolution is reduced to what I've selected, the display still occupies all the allowed space so I can't have any proper idea on the space the application will fill, font sizes and so...

Any idea on how to force the display to show the information surrounded by black?

Gosh! editing the question before posting I've removed an important part... I can't use a virtual machine as the software I'm using needs a physical network link to work.

Thank you! :thumbsup:

Posted 25-Jun-12 6:34am

Joan M

Updated 25-Jun-12 9:07am

v2

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Comments

Albert Holguin 25-Jun-12 13:48pm

Not sure exactly what you're working on, but if it has anything to do with embedded systems... I worked on a system that had a low resolution display and really... there's no substitute for just testing on the actual display. Colors may not look exactly the same so things may not stand out as much as you thought they would, plus narrow lines may not be as easily visible if the display isn't as vibrant as your desktop monitor.

Joan M 25-Jun-12 15:09pm

100% right, it's exactly the case, and I'm searchign for a +/- guide on the size of the display to get an idea of what I can put there in a really small space seeing which look will have...

Albert Holguin 25-Jun-12 18:43pm

If you're not used to designing for small spaces, it's definitely different. You have to plan your real-estate very well and you also have to take into consideration how far someone will need to read your display and the amount of sunlight that will be typically encountered. With that said... good luck! Embedded systems can definitely be fun!

2 solutions

Solution 2

Simply use 640x480 mode on the "Display" properties of the system, why not? Vary font size of the system as well. You don't really need black area around the application area. System "Display" parameters simulate lower-resolution environment more accurately. You can possibly get mangled aspect ratio. One of the valid approached to testing would be just ignoring this problem…

—SA

Posted 25-Jun-12 6:49am

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov

Comments

Joan M 25-Jun-12 15:11pm

I'm searching for a +/- guide on the size of the display that I'll have at the end, to get an idea of what I can put there in a really small space seeing which look will have...

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 29-Jun-12 19:52pm

Are you looking for something to work faster than a regular Control Panel applet?
--SA

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Mehdi Gholam · Accepted Answer · 2012-06-25T06:47:00

Solution 1

Try installing and running in VMPlayer, you can resize the main VM window and the instance running inside will match the window size (make sure the VMtools is installed in the client OS).

Posted 25-Jun-12 6:47am

Mehdi Gholam

Comments

Sergey Alexandrovich Kryukov 25-Jun-12 14:35pm

Yes, this is another option, but not always worth messing up with. My 5.
--SA

Mehdi Gholam 26-Jun-12 0:08am

Thanks Sergey!

Joan M 25-Jun-12 15:10pm

Can't use the virtual machine... I've missed to put that specification in the question, now it is there... sorry for wasting your time. Tahnk you anyway for trying to give an answer... my fault... :thumbsdown:

Mehdi Gholam 26-Jun-12 0:11am

Strange! you can use just about anything in a VM, even networking can be transparent, the client OS is oblivious.