Screen Resolution in Mavericks

Be sure to set the Resolution to Best for display for optimal resolution. Also try to hold the option key while inside Displays menu and detect displays. If it still looks fuzzy try a PRAM reset http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

That "press option key" tip was a life saver. With the ( non-show stopper ) exception of the extreme delay Mavericks causes for DisplayLink USB interfaces, I can actually use my monitor again. Thanks.

Just upgraded to Mavericks. When I choose my preferred screen resolution the screen compresses to the middle 2/3 of the monitor with large empty black spaces on either side. I didn't have this issue in Lion. Is there a way around this?

This happens to me too, on my MacBook Pro Early 2008.

Now I get black frames on all sides on the external monitor if I run the screens mirrored:

This was not an issue before I installed Mavericks (upgrade from Snow Leopard)

I have tried the "optimize for <display>" option, but it does not appear to have any effect.

Any clues?

Go to the finder,

right click the backdround image

select show view options

at the very top you can set the size of the desktop icons

anywhere from 16x16 to 128x128.

This also works for icon vew inside finder windows and tabs.

I hope this helps.

I was having issues with Maverick. The problems I had were video related on the Macbook Pro. I just did a PRAM reset. Try it.

http://support.apple.com/kb/HT1379

Resetting NVRAM / PRAM

1. Shut down your Mac.
2. Locate the following keys on the keyboard: Command (⌘), Option, P, and R. You will need to hold these keys down simultaneously in step 4.
3. Turn on the computer.
4. Press and hold the Command-Option-P-R keys before the gray screen appears.
5. Hold the keys down until the computer restarts and you hear the startup sound for the second time.
6. Release the keys.

After resetting NVRAM or PRAM, you may need to reconfigure your settings for speaker volume, screen resolution, startup disk selection, and time zone information. If issues persist, your Mac's logic board battery (not a portable Mac's rechargeable battery) may need to be replaced. The logic board battery helps retain NVRAM/PRAM settings when your computer is shut down. You can take your Mac to a Mac Genius or Apple Authorized Service Provider to replace the battery on the logic board.

Resetting NVRAM in Open Firmware

If your computer is Open Firmware-based and you are unable to reset NVRAM as described above, you may alternatively reset the NVRAM and Open Firmware settings using the steps in the Solution section of Message “To continue booting, type 'mac-boot' and press return”.

In some cases, an Open Firmware-based computer may not respond to the keyboard commands noted above, and may not allow starting up into Open Firmware by pressing and holding the Command, Option, O, and F keys during startup. If you are unable to get to an Open Firmware prompt (and your Mac supports doing so), try holding the power button held down continuously during start up.

Thank you, the option key helped me so much!