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
    2012-12-13T18:45:49+00:00

    Reading several links regarding this issue, it worked out to be a Windows 7 bug.

    What were these links? I'd encourage you to post them here for everyone else in the thread.

    My situation sort of puts the claims of driver problems to shame. I use a four-monitor setup, with a pair of LG W3000H and a pair of BenQ 241W. Each of my two identical graphics cards hosts one LG and one BenQ.

    When powering off either the main desktop monitor (an LG) or the BenQ attached to the same graphics card, the desktop is fine and windows behaves as if they're still connected.

    When powering off the LG monitor on the second graphics card, windows behaves as if the monitor is still connected.

    When powering off the BenQ monitor on the second graphics card--and ONLY that monitor--windows behaves as if the monitor has been removed, and resizes the desktop as if it's gone. One BenQ works, the other does not.

    Also Mr. Cemeterry, you write like either a child or an old republican. In either case, grow up.

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  2. Anonymous
    2012-11-12T16:12:32+00:00

    Reading several links regarding this issue, it worked out to be a Windows 7 bug.

    In the mean time I am using a workaround with the Windows 7 hotkey feature:

    1. Select <Windowsbutton> + <P>
    2. Select <End>
    3. Select <Enter>

    Although you can not see what you are selecting with this anomaly active, but basically you are setting displayoutput up for a projector only configuration wich bring back light again in your inadvertendly automatically switched off display.

    Pending MS fixed this Windows 7 bug, it works for me.

    Regards Richard

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  3. Anonymous
    2012-09-11T19:31:03+00:00

    I have the same problem which started once we installed an HDMI monitor. The problem is simple: our primary monitor is a SVGA monitor, and the secondary is an HDMI monitor on a separate video card. The one constant is that after the user logs into Win 7 (we're running Win 7 pro), the HDMI becomes the primary. During the BIOS boot sequence, and the initial "Welcome to Windows" boot messages, the SVGA is the primary monitor. Once the "Ctrl-Alt-Del" message appears, and the HDMI is plugged into the port, the HDMI becomes the primary monitor. So, we have to reset the SVGA to primary, and the HDMI to secondary; which works until we sign-out or shut down.

    Any suggestions will be welcomed.

    Thanks,

    tKCC Support.

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  4. Anonymous
    2012-08-02T02:39:14+00:00

    I think I have the same issue.

    I have Win7 and a GeForce 7300 LE vid card.

    I have one LCD on VGA and the other DVI (main...on left).

    I have a motion sensor that turns off the LCD's after a certain amount of time.  When I come back into my home office...both panels turn on...but only the VGA panel (right...non primary) gets the signal.

    If I hit Windows Key + P...and select extend...all is good again.

    So how do I force Windows 7 to have extended desktop every time I power up the LCD's.  Very annoying.

    And in case anyone asks...having the motion sensor turning off complete power to the LCD's extends their life by YEARS...so don't even question that.

    Has to be some registry tweak, etc.

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