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
    2016-10-25T14:20:14+00:00

    In my experience, windows treats each different multiple monitor combination as a different 'single virtual monitor' that remembers its own resolution setings for each physical screen. This is why your vertical monitor changes to horizontal when there's only 2 monitors being detected (a different virtual monitor).

    Based on the above, your three monitor setup is being treated as a single screen that spans a horizontal rectangle that is 5040 (1920 + 1200 + 1920) pixels wide and 1920 pixels tall (determined by your left vertical monitor) with two black rectangles inside filling the spaces above your laptop and right side screens.

    So, if I'm not mistaken you'd need to try the hack using a 5040x1920 resolution. Good luck!

    Note: one caveat though: if you have re-arranged the distances or alignment of your screens using window's 'display settings' panel (the one that lets you assing which screen is on which side and how far) then your giant virtual screen could be a different resolution. The scenario I described above for you assumes your screens are all bottom-aligned and snapped close together.

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  2. Anonymous
    2016-10-26T12:00:54+00:00

    Thank you very much! It's working! It does not return windows to their original monitors when I disconnect from the dock though but that was not the point and neither the most annoying issue :) And it did not fix the issue when one of the monitors is switched off but that also is negligible - I always keep them switched on. It's a good workaround.

    I had the displays slightly moved in relation to each other but changed them to common bottom, just to be sure. It works so far and I did not touch the 'stride' value - I left it at 7680 in both keys. I don't even know what it means...

    Thanks once again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2016-10-27T15:43:09+00:00

    I'm glad it worked.

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  4. Anonymous
    2016-10-28T08:50:29+00:00

    I wrote it too soon :P While it works with screens going blank and laptop still powered, it stops working when the laptop hibernates after a long time. Still it's better than it was so I guess I will live with that...

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