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Fix second monitor configuration on windows XP as desktop extension one above the other
I am running windows XP on a dell laptop. At work I connect a second monitor and I use it as an extension of my windows desktop. And because my monitors are physically one above the other I rearrange the monitors in the system to reflect this. (This way I drag files from the monitor on the bottom to the monitor on top by moving the files up.)
The problem is that every time I turn on my laptop at home (where I don’t have two monitors) and then come back to the office, the configuration of the second monitor is lost and I have to rearrange them again one on top of the other.
Is there a way to fix the monitor configuration when I have 2 monitors to be one on top of the other? And still be able to use my laptop at home with just one monitor and not loose the configuration for the second monitor?
The problem is that every time I turn on my laptop at home (where I don’t have two monitors) and then come back to the office, the configuration of the second monitor is lost and I have to rearrange them again one on top of the other.
Is there a way to fix the monitor configuration when I have 2 monitors to be one on top of the other? And still be able to use my laptop at home with just one monitor and not loose the configuration for the second monitor?
Last Comment
how are you connecting to the second monitor at work? Via a docking station with a PCI graphics card? If so, you can setup a separat hardware profile to only use that when you are at work, and another for at home use that only uses the integrated graphics card on your laptop
Agree with 5t34lth,
Right click on my computer, go to properties and then the hardware tab, you''ll see hardware profiles.
More info:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308577
Right click on my computer, go to properties and then the hardware tab, you''ll see hardware profiles.
More info:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308577
ASKER
I am not using a docking station. I connect the monitor cable directly to my laptop.
Can I still use a hardware profile as there would be no Docked Profile only Undocked Profile?
Can I still use a hardware profile as there would be no Docked Profile only Undocked Profile?
What type of video card do you have? My laptop has an ATI card and after installing the latest drivers I use the Catalyst Control Panel to setup different profiles inside the video card drivers. Then I save an icon for the profiles on my desktop. Double click on the one named Work and my dual montiors get setup. Double click on Mobile and it is back to one monitor with a higher resolution.
I am pretty sure nVidia has a similar thing.
I am pretty sure nVidia has a similar thing.
ASKER
I have an NVIDIA card but I could find a similar utility. I will try with the profiles tomorrow and see if it works.
ASKER
I meant I could NOT find a similar utility. I did see the Nvidia Control panel and ran the wizard for multiple screens, but no option for saving different profiles. I will try using the different windows profiles tomorrow and see if it saves the current setup.
I believe nVidia calls it nView and I see something about: nView 3.5 Desktop Manager User's Guide (Release 90) that I think is related.
Does pressing FN+F4 or whatever your hotkey for switching displays correct this for you?
Does pressing FN+F4 or whatever your hotkey for switching displays correct this for you?
ASKER
No FN+F4 has nothing to do with this.
My problem is that I keep my external monitor in a table above the computer. When I conncet at work I extend the windows desktop to this monitor. And Windows by default places the second monitor to the right of the first one. I want it by default to place the second monitor on top of the first one. The configuartion stays as long as I don't use the laptop somewhere else where I don't have 2 monitors if I do, when I get back to the office I have to re-configure the monitors and extended desktop, and this messes up the icons I have on the desktop. So I am looking for a quick and simple way to reconfigure when I get back to the office.
My problem is that I keep my external monitor in a table above the computer. When I conncet at work I extend the windows desktop to this monitor. And Windows by default places the second monitor to the right of the first one. I want it by default to place the second monitor on top of the first one. The configuartion stays as long as I don't use the laptop somewhere else where I don't have 2 monitors if I do, when I get back to the office I have to re-configure the monitors and extended desktop, and this messes up the icons I have on the desktop. So I am looking for a quick and simple way to reconfigure when I get back to the office.
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Windows XP
Microsoft Windows XP is the sixth release of the NT series of operating systems, and was the first to be marketed in a variety of editions: XP Home and XP Professional, designed for business and power users. The advanced features in XP Professional are generally disabled in Home Edition, but are there and can be activated. There were two 64-bit editions, an embedded edition and a tablet edition.
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