my screen resolution is set at 1280X 800 the highest setting for more detail.
Is that the recommended resolution for the monitor that you are using? Its usually in the documentation that comes with the monitor. For instance, other common monitor resolutions are 1280 x 960 or 1280 x 720.
Also, some of the newer flatscreen monitors have an auto adjust button as a push button, often located on the bottom right edge of the screen.