Windows 7 Dual Monitors - Turning off a monitor causes desktop to rearrange resulting in significant amounts of lost productivity.

Anonymous
2010-02-03T17:25:23+00:00

I have 2 monitors connected to a nVidia FX 580 card running Windows 7 Pro 64-bit. One monitor is connected via DVI and the other via DP (Display Port).

If I turn off the DP monitor, I hear the windows sound indicating hardware was "removed". When I turn the monitor back on, I hear the new hardware sound, windows re-detects the monitor as if I just installed it, and my entire desktop icon layout and any windows I had open are then all rearranged and takes a significant amount of time re-organizing to get back to where I was.

I leave my PC on 24hrs a day for several reasons - and for years have always just turned my monitors off when not in use.

I need to be able to turn off my monitors without windows deciding that I have "removed" a monitor.

I work for a medical imaging software company where we provide complete hardware and software solutions for use in Radiology departments in hospitals. These systems typically have 3 or 4 monitors connected, all via DP these days. Because of the possibility of the users desktop getting messed up if they happen to turn off a monitor, we are unable to install systems with Windows 7.

While many may see this as nothing more then a inconvenience, this is a show-stopper as far as we are concerned. As of yet I have not found a workable solution to this issue.

So here's the question: How do we disable this new behavior in Windows 7 and allow it to understand that the monitor hasn't gone away and that the desktop should not be rearranged simply because the monitor was turned off?

Thank you.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2015-02-28T12:44:10+00:00

I've written a little utility to address this issue. It's still very thrown together, but opensource, so you can compile from sources if you've got any security concerns.

Hope it works out for you!

http://www.ninjacrab.com/persistent-windows/

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  1. Anonymous
    2013-08-23T09:56:32+00:00

    Yawn! still not fixed? laughable.

    I have an entertainment system in which the center piece is Windows 8. Very fruitful and makes me smile so much UNTIL I turn my television on or off. It makes me want to break things every time it happens. You get things so close sometimes MS but then you don't go that little bit extra to seal the deal. I tried all sorts of tricks to side step this issue. To be honest, I was completely shocked when the setting to "persist display 'n' " was no where to be found. I just assumed it would be there. I guess I'm the **** for assuming.

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  2. Anonymous
    2013-07-22T18:37:01+00:00

    Hi Mark,

     

    Considering the age of the thread and to avoid confusion, I would recommend creating a new thread so that the community can focus on that thread.

     

    Refer to the following link prior to posting a question so that you may provide all the relevant information, for us to help you: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

     

    Thanks.

    Hi Srimadhwa,

    Could you please point out where and why in this thread will make people confusion?  The old thread didn't mean the aged issue, in fact, it shows how Microsoft can (or cannot) fix this issue.

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  3. Anonymous
    2013-07-22T14:35:06+00:00

    I recommend fixing a problem, not starting new threads... I do hope Microsoft ocntinues on its path downwards considering foolish "features" & "enhancements" since WindowsXP, as there must be a consequence for ignoring customers.

    The venerable WindowsXP - had been the single one best product Microsoft created, by its team In Israel (MS Israel) & it remains the superstar.  Even today in 2013 some people sitll running WinXP - you can hardly find any other OS surviving so long.

    After XP came pile of rubbish called "VISTA".

    Windows7 was a fix for VISTA, except a few severe problems e.g. WinExplorer jumps thru folderlist when folder contents is explored.  People have asked to restore normal behavior, it's not even XP but ALL Windows had it right even Vista!, but Win7 & now Win8 jumps folders erratically, don't even have time to describe problem in this (Monitors, unrelated) thread.  I just give you 2 items you've ignored to fix.  These are not minor cosmetics items, hey I can live with some little obscure problem, but not with these 2 !

    Monitor auto-detection is one mistake.  Did we ask for this "feature"?!  I've learned to avoid situations where open windows/desktop is force-rearranged, it is a grievance b/c it keeps me nervous/cautions when switchign Monitors Power, how frustrating is that?

    But here is some worse problem:

    WindowsExplorer still "jumps".  Even WIndows8 mangles folders.

    One final word for you "Engineer".

    Microsoft has no good engineers anymore.

    Windows8 is actually a return to Vista-like dumbified software for people with LOW IQ level.  You made an OS which even lacks Start menu & is nothing more than a glorified Smartphone !!  The only improvement in it is powerful file handling in WinExplorer whereby user can stop/pause & restart file copying, etc.  Also Networking, USB3, etc.

    But that's where it ends.

    IT/professional people are laughing at Windows8.  The only reason you sell it in high volume is due to FOOLS who buy computers with this rubbish PRELOADED, still monopolizing market by force.

    This is how inferior VHS cassettes overtook superiro Betamax several decades ago - thanks to fool customers.

    But us (I am a engineer), IT community & anyone with BRAINS or IQ level somehwat above monkey, will not buy these products.

    I just asked to fix WinExplorer jumping olderlist, I asked to fix Monitor autodetect - DISABLE DA** FEATURE OK??

    You chose to tell me start a new Thread, instead of fixing problems?

    Good luck Microsoft.

    When Bill Gates left, geekines left Microsoft, what remains is a commodity lackluster company.  I find myself all too often on Linux & Android.

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  4. Anonymous
    2013-07-22T10:04:28+00:00

    Hi Mark,

     

    Considering the age of the thread and to avoid confusion, I would recommend creating a new thread so that the community can focus on that thread.

     

    Refer to the following link prior to posting a question so that you may provide all the relevant information, for us to help you: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375

     

    Thanks.

    I have to disagree with you because this thread describes the current problem, and Microsoft has still not fixed the problem. So why create antoher thread with the exact same issue??

    I´m running Windows 7 fully updated, with AMD Catalyst latest 13.4 and I have a 3-monitor (display port) setup in Eyefinity (5760x1080). GPU: Asus HD7970 CU2Top.

    If I turn off the monitors while Explorer, Chrome, folders, Thunderbird, windamp, Skype, Trillian, XBMC is open, and then turn on monitors again. All my programs will have been rearranged in the upper left corner on the left monitor. They seem to have about 320x480 pixelsize. Its very annoying that we cant turn off monitors without having to rearrange all icons and programs. My PC is on 24/7 and its a waste of electrical energy having to have all monitors on at all the time.

    I think the sollution lies in windows, that engineers somehow should program windows NOT to detect if a monitor is on or off. Thereby preventing windows from change resolution just because a monitor went offline.

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