Dual Monitor issues - Menus on wrong screen etc

[RodneyH]

At my work, one of the computers which has an ATI X550 video card and dual 17" LCD's attached is having some issues.

In programs like excel etc when someone clicks 'file' the menu opens as normal, but if you click on a submenu like recent documents, the extension of that menu opens on the wrong monitor. It always opens on the primary monitor I think.

Why is this? Is there anyway to get around it?

Another issue, which may belong in another forum (my first post here) is that in excel, when opening a document on this same pc with problems, on one of the monitors, the first centimetre or two of the formula is whited out, but it is fine on the other monitor.


Does anyone know what on earth is going on ?

 

[linney]

Have you checked for any updated drivers for your Video Card?

Use this inexpensive utility, UltraMon:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

There is a free trial, see if it can help you.

Hardware Requirements for Multiple-Display Support in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;296538&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Description of DualView in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283674/EN-US/

List of Supported Display Adapters for Multiple Monitors and Dualview in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307397/EN-US/

307873 - HOW TO: Configure and Use Multiple Monitors in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;307873&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

This mentions ATI.

Display Properties Question
thread779-779588

 

[RodneyH]

Thanks for the post.


I've had a look at all of that, doesn't seem to be anything I haven't done though, I dont want to install ultramon as it's $40 australian a license and work won't approve it (I've suggested it to them in the past). It is a great program though, I have it at home though.


I realised I didn't really do a good description in my post, I should have said folder menus - other menu's are fine, here is an example of what happens:

http://www.users.on.net/~stevevk4sjh/rosspc.JPG

as you can see the folder list in the drop down opens on the wrong screen. It's really annoying. You also can't double click open box (ie you cant double click on the folder 'res' there, have to click it then click open)

 

[linney]

Are you able to get out of the Dual Monitor setup at work for the purpose of just testing Windows in a single Monitor setup to see if there is maybe a problem with Windows itself?

Has your dual Monitor setup at work ever worked correctly? Are other work users seeing the same fault on their machines?

I suppose contacting ATI has been considered?

Talking of other users, do you see the same faults if you, yourself, logon as another username?

 

[LisaWo]

You've got it setup backwards. In a dualview view, the start bar should always be on the left.. not the right.
If you go and identify the screens, I bet you have #2 on the left side. What I do to straighten that out is to go into the display properties, On the settings tab, you'll see boxes with 1 and 2. Hover over the first one to identify if it's the primary or the secondary. When on the secondary, uncheck the "extend my windows desktop onto this monitor". This will take it temporarily off one. Then, go back into the display settings, and redirect the primary to be the other monitor. Once the start bar is on the left, then under settings, on the second monitor, you can recheck the "extend to this monitor".
Sorry this is so long winded.

 

[RodneyH]

linney: Testing with one monitor will work fine of course, as the problem is the menu only shows up on the primary display, if there is only one monitor then it is the primary display so the problem will not happen.
He says it worked fine before we moved his computer, but I've tried putting it back to the way it was and it's still not functioning correctly. Also at least one other user, with the same machine, has had the problem.

I will probably have to contact ATI.

LisaWo: the taskbar is on that screen because the user dragged it over to that one (unlocked and dragged taskbar) - for some reason most people in my office prefer it this way, though my personal preference is to have it on the far left. But yes the screens are already setup as you said.

I've tried reinstalling drivers, putting omega drivers on (though i couldnt get them working properly at all without first loading ati drivers) changing driver versions... still the problem happens, it's strange that it's never happened to anyone before.

 

[linney]

He says it worked fine before we moved his computer."

How long ago was that, is it recent enough to try System Restore? Anything recorded in the Event Viewer, for the time of the move, or anything else for that matter?

"Also at least one other user, with the same machine, has had the problem".

Is that as in "same brand" or the exact same machine we are scratching our collective heads over?

What is the story about Omega, you haven't mentioned that before?

 

[RodneyH]

omega drivers are rival drivers to ATI radeon, they were made in the days when ATI drivers were renowned for being crappy, nowadays they aren't all that popular, but I thought I'd try installing them to see if they would fix the problem.


The other machine that I've had a user complain is the exact same specs, we ordered a batch of 12 (and have just recently ordered another 2 of the same thing), no one else has complained but I have a feeling it might be a problem with the lot.

Unfortunately it is not recent enough to try system restore, though the other user has not moved his machine so I have a feeling that the user just didn't notice the problem fully until now.

 

[linney]

I feel this might have to go back to your supplier of the machines for some sort of resolution (pun not intended), as it seems to be effecting multiple (another pun) machines.

In case it is a third party software problem. Does multi-monitor work in Safe Mode or do you only get one screen going in to Safe Mode? Either way these tests are available to you.

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't help (and you think it necessary) you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp