Windows 7 moves/resizes windows on monitor power cycle

Anonymous
2010-10-08T22:13:48+00:00

I have a new W7 ultimate install on a new PC (AOpen DEX4501 w intel GM45 graphics). I have installed the latest Intel graphics drivers 8.15.10.2202, and all relevant windows updates.

It is connected via HDMI to a Grundig Misuro HD TV. My resolution is set to 1600x900, windows recommended resolution is 1920x1080 but this displays badly so I don't use it.

When Windows sleeps, or I turn off (then later on) the monitor, most windows are moved/resized to the upper left with the lower right at 1024x768.

Firefox, Excel(2003),Explorer windows resize/move, Outlook(2003) did not move/resize.

I have a Samurize (Gadget like) display on the right which someimes get relocated to the top left, but not this morning. The windows resize/move also happens when Samurize is not running.

I have found three other entries related to this;

They don't seem to have been resolved for a long time.

This is a Windows monitor power managment issue, can it be fixed please it is very annoying.

I won't be recommending W7 to others with such issues outstanding.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2010-10-09T02:55:58+00:00

I have found a work-around.

Using Sysinternals ProcessMonitor I found that Windows was accessing the following Registry path;

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration

My system had three entries;

DELF003YY7707BR0MUL_30_07D7_6A^9A3774EB79DEE3E3E38496CC7DF4D936

QHD32000001_31_07D6_D5^63E1ABDD175E7871DCAEB710418A0F75

SIMULATED_8086_2A42_00000000_00020000_1010100^CDE365D1B3F0942F0CF38BFB8E127AB4

Under each is a tree called "00" two of the keys are

PrimSurfSize.cx

PrimSurfSize.cy

Under "00" was another branch also called "00" two of the keys are;

ActiveSize.cx

ActiveSize.cy

The first two of the configs (ie DELF00... & QHD3...) the above keys were 1440x900,

so they were not involved.

The third (SIMULATED...) were set to 1024x768.

I changed these to 1600x900 and the problem was solved.

Further I changed resolution (via control panel) to 1920x1080, the moving/resize issue returned,

but the lower right corner was set to 1600x900, ie the SIMULATED... settings.

So for some reason one of the configs does not get set correctly.

I don't know why there are three configs, I have only ever used one monitor.

Hope this helps someone out there...

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  1. Anonymous
    2015-11-18T02:29:16+00:00

    I doub't its a Dell problem. Lots of people have the issue and the list of monitors mentioned is quite varied. I'm running Acer 4k monitors and I've had the problem from the day I set them up. The suggestions I've seen so far involve upgrading drivers (I'm using an nVidia card), the registry settings, re-install Windows, adjust display adapter settings etc.

    In my case, the registry settings came closest to fixing it but after a while the windows start doing their thing again and position themselves all over the place after my PC wakes up. I haven't been able to get the registry hack to permanently fix the issue. Gets worse if you have mutliple monitors on 2k+ resolutions because you have to re-apply the settings for each monitor's registry entries.

    I still don't know how this hasn't even been acknowledged as an issue. 

    Edit:

    Just wanted to add, the guy who figured out the registry settings fix deserves some serious credit for finding out what settings are actually being used. In my case I tried to do the same thing - use SysInternals Process Monitor to figure out what settings are being used and what the values are (see screenshot below). This helped me eliminate some of the guesswork I had to do because I'm running 3 monitors. But as mentioned, my settings seem to change every now and then and I end up having to update them again which is super annoying.

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  2. Anonymous
    2015-11-17T02:54:41+00:00

    So after an hour fighting with Microsoft technical support, they are unaware of the problem. The only solution offered from another winner at MS was purchasing a support plan to get further assistance.

    I had a similar problem when  I was attempting to activate Windows and went through so many people before finally speaking with someone who didn't have their head up their ****.

    I'm now working with Dell because it's possible that the problem is monitor related (poor implementation of display port) as Dell has commented on this issue as well.

    I do have the problem w/ two different computers, a custom built desktop PC and my Lenovo Thinkpad T440s.

    I was hoping to have more solid feedback, but I don't have the energy anymore for this. I used the registry hack that was suggested and it's working so far.

    Maybe what we should do is record the problem and start a video thread on youtube or something. This will allow Microsoft to actually see what happens.

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  3. Anonymous
    2015-11-17T02:27:25+00:00

    Have the same issue with Dell P2715Q connected via DisplayPort.

    I have tried different OSes: Windows 7, 8, 10, different videocards (GTX780, GTX980), different NVidia drivers.  And, of course, workaround above with registry.

    Still have problem with it.

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  4. Anonymous
    2015-11-12T12:38:53+00:00

    I basically followed your steps, though with a difference. I'm on a Samsung 34 inch 3440x1440 monitor (S34E790) with a GTX980, connected via DP. 

    Here are my steps:

    To access the registry: enter regeditin the desktop app run

    1. Delete all entries in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\GraphicsDrivers\Configuration
    2. Restart your computer. If you go to the registry above, you will see that an entry has been created for you monitor.
    3. Turn your monitor off and on again. If you go to the registry, you will find SIMULATED... ONLY in SIMULATED 00, (go no further into SIMULATED 00 00), change ONLY PrimSurfSize.cx & PrimSurfSize.cy to your monitor's resolution.
    4. Cross your fingers and restart your computer for good measure.

    And the issue was fixed for me. Which leads me to wonder, What is the difference between PrimSurfSize and ActiveSize? One reason not to go about the registry without knowing what you are doing, but desperation calls for desperate measures...

    Unfortunately this didn't work for me with an AMH 40" 4k monitor and a Geforce 760 on Windows 10 64 bit with the latest drivers.  This is so frustrating - I need to do quite a bit of setup to get all the windows in the position I need at the moment (Webstorm / Netbeans / Postman / HeidiSQL) - Microsoft - fix this please!  Even acknowledging it's a problem would be a start

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