I have a new compaq laptop widescreen. No matter how I adjust it the picture is larger than the screen.?

I just got a different laptop. I can't get the text to fit the screen. About a fourth of it is being cut off on the sides. I couldn't find anything about Windows Vista that was of any help. I know this is probably a really simple thing to correct, but unfortunately I am more than a little illiterate when it comes to computers. Any suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks.