When I use Netscape/Firefox everything looks perfect but not in the Explorer; also SOME icons/buttons on the desktop also look aliased (for ex the Netscape button/icon but not the Firefox); any idea why does it happen and what to do?

One: right-click on My Computer -> Properties -> Advanced -> click on Settings under Performance. Under Visual Effects check, if unchecked, Smooth Edges of Screen fonts. Two: right-click on an empty area of the desktop -> Properties -> Appearance -> Effects. Mark the second checkbox from the top and choose Clear Type from the dropdown menu below that checkbox. Three: open Internet Explorer -> Tools -> Internet Options -> Advanced, and down under Multimedia uncheck Enable Automatic Resizing. Alos, check smart Image dithering, or uncheck it, as the case may be.

Many thanks Erlik for your suggestions! Unfortunately the problem remains; it wasn't affected at all by the changes I made (as above) grrr; it could be a bug in the OS (Win XP Media Edition)  so I try to find an update.
Thanks again! /Atte

Unfortunately, your system is infected with Internet Explorer..;) go with the 'Mo..;)

Yepp, I had to update the totally new WinXP installation; now it looks great! :-)

Pakled, nice try but that looks like the yahoo browser. Can't blame this one on MS. The update probably reset the internet options so It stopped being sloppy with images by dl.ing them fast. AOL's browser does that too, IE can be set to, but I had to change AOL's setting to stop that everytime they felt like updating stuff. IE hasn't blipped on me once.

Glad to hear you got it solved.

I'm confused: if you're running XP and  if you have the most current version of IE should't you be running version 7 ?

Hi BM! I installed an earlier version to check if the aliasing on icons disappears; it looked ok but after a restart the problem is back; that darn aliasing is left even in the Win XP itself (after the latest update)  - certain small icons are  jagged (they are smooth on my old machine) :-(
I doubt that Bill G himself could solve this tiny but irritating problem... (Icons looks good  in other apps and browsers though; thanks for that) - going to check IE 7 ; thanks for the info!

TJ please!
You might need  the Service Pack 2  for xp if it's not installed already in order to install IE7. If IE7 is an option in windows update(there should be a shortcut to it somewhere on your start menu) just download and install it from windows update if not check to see if you're running sp2. system info should be an option in somewher in accesories in your start menu.

 If you need to install sp2:

it took me a year to get that to install from windows update right! don't do it without checking for updates from your computer manufacturer and then get the install cd mailed to you from ms. the cd is about 2 bucks  

there are also a couple of log files that get corrupted that you will need to remove - let me know if you need to know what they are as I'll have to look them up

good luck,
-TJ

And if you've just freshly installed XP, now is the time to install SP2. The more programs and stuff you install, the greater possibility of snafus during the upgrade. And definitely first save the download. Do not install from the Internet. Do not. It's something like 200 MB, and all kinds of stuff can go wrong during the download.

Thank you guys for the suggestions!

The current os is Win XP Media Ed. (SP 2) installed by the manufacturer. (Dell) Now I tried many different solution to this minor problem and I feel exhausted; I can live with this crp until I reinstall everything in the future; now I'll install IE 7 and will see...Thanks!

anyone else reading this that might want to upgrade to XPsp2

You can download the SP2 files and make a cdrom from them they should be in a subfolder called i386(there will be more than one i386 folder - make sure you are accessing the right one). Forget which Folder I'd have to look at it again .

do not let the install program run from the internet infact turn your internet off turn your firewall off turn everyting in your systray off. turn the computer off and seriously reconsider installing sp2. 

attileus, ok cool !I would suggest we get back to Bryceing before we get accused of being a tech forum
-TJ

I agree BM; many thanks for your time guys; I'm going to reinstall everything... in the future!

Peace

Tell me you don't have any of those "re-re" web accelerators on there. If so, that's likely to be your problem.