One of my PCs has a screen percentage problem

stony41 · 06 Apr 2018

The screen behaviour I am about to describe is happening as I am writing!

I have four Win 10 PCs regularly on my wired network. One, a 23-inch Sony all-in-one, which is my main workhorse, has managed to catch a screen 'percentage bug'. The other three PCs are quietly remaining at 100%.

The % bug began after the last major Win 10 update. What happens is that desktop icons can become smaller (down to 50%) or larger (up to 250%). This up and down annoyance also affects work in a browser or a program. Keying this has been an experience!

In typical Windows fashion, there are times when everything quietly remains at 100%, but only for a short time.

This situation is also accompanied by beeping and, perhaps telling, usually the popping-up of two icons, one showing a magnifying glass with a plus sign attached and another with a minus sign attached. This is Sony stuff. So the behaviour I am describing may be caused by either Sony or Microsoft or both. Sony has abandoned PCs, so there is no help there.

Has anyone seen this % bug in Win 10 and fixed it?

Berton · 06 Apr 2018

Sounds as if the video driver is the culprit, does a Sony page have drivers for it? Even though they may not be selling computers there may still be support files available.

Sony VAIO Laptops Computers discontinued | Sony US

Our commitment to VAIO owners
Though we are discontinuing the sale of PCs, we will continue to offer after-sales support for all Sony branded VAIO PCs in accordance with local laws, regulations and warranty policies.

slicendice · 07 Apr 2018

I think you are accidentally pressing WINKEY + + (PLUS). That is a shortcut to open the magnifier. Pressing WINKEY + ESC will close the magnifier.

Another thing you might be accidentally doing is that you press CTRL and then use your Mouse Scroll Wheel. This scales the icons to very tiny or very big.

These are Windows features and not driver nor bug related.

stony41 · 07 Apr 2018

Thanks, slicendice, but I am not pressing those keys.

There is a history with this Sony PC which led me to turn off the touchscreen several years ago. I was experiencing loads of popups and beeps. Utter chaos. With no help from Sony support, which had not a clue, I followed advice from someone with a Sony laptop that had been presenting similar characteristics: turn off the damned touchscreen! All has been quiet on the Western Front until recently. The popups I am getting again at the bottom centre of the screen are icon + and - things that pop up with beeps. I have always regarded them as Sony objects, just like the onscreen keyboard that kept partially popping out at the top left of the screen and some other weird occurrences.

I am going out of town for a week soon and this seems to be a convenient time to take the PC to my favourite techie to see if he can make sense of this % bug.

slicendice · 07 Apr 2018

You're welcome!

One thing you could try is to identify all Sony specific helper software and disable one at a time. I've had some issues with Asus helper software that became old. I've ever since not used nor installed them. I try to keep Windows as MS default as possible.

stony41 · 07 Apr 2018

Thanks again. I will attempt to find more Sony stuff. But I will also put the PC into hospital when I am out of town. Another set of eyes will help.

slicendice · 07 Apr 2018

stony41 said:

Thanks again. I will attempt to find more Sony stuff. But I will also put the PC into hospital when I am out of town. Another set of eyes will help.

Great! Hope you get this annoyance fixed. Good luck! :)