Ubuntu :: Gui Windows Won't Resize Correctly

i will occasionally open a gui program, for example an ip address calc and a dvd burning program, and the bottom of the window is cut off by the screen; the screen size is put on the most applicable, detectable screen size; on both a netbook with a small rectangular screen and an older desktop with CRT monitor that is square; i could see both of these having issues beyond my own user-stupidity, so i thought i would ask: how do i get to the bottom of the window to see very crucial info? i hover the mouse on the top until it changes to a horiz bar, but it wont drag down;

- i hover mouse on bottom but it wont change to bar/arrow;

- i hover on corners to make an angle bar/arrow but it will only resize horizontally;

- i right click the top border and hit "resize" but it will only resize horizontally;

this, as well as getting my touchpad settings to stay the same after poweroff have been the bane of my existence edit: sometimes these posts are simply echo chambers for me to listen to my own ineptitude; i found how to save the touchpad settings,re-edit: i did not actually fix the touchpad, but i have posted elsewhere so as to not cross-post.