Fullscreen issues with dual monitors of differing aspect ratios.

Banqu0 · 18 Jun 2014

I have a dell laptop which has a native monitor with a 16:9 aspect ratio and an external monitor that is a 5:4 aspect ratio. It is setup in extended desktop mode with the external above the laptop. My problem is that whenever I launch a game (Killing Floor, Counter strike, etc) the laptop monitor switches to the 4:3 aspect ratio. this is the screen used for gaming. I know that the external monitor will switch modes when i start a game, but it does not matter to me what happen with that monitor, so long as my main screen stays the proper ratio. I have toyed around with the graphics settings but can't seem to make it comply. How does one fix this? Thanks

Banqu0 · 18 Jun 2014

To be clear, most of my games are running at 800X600, but are set to "widescreen mode" so they still fit the width of the screen. It fixes the issue to set the game to run at higher resolutions, but doing so effects game performance

alphanumeric · 18 Jun 2014

I just switch to "PC only" when I game. I run three monitors on my desktop. I have shortcuts for "Extend" and "PC Only". When I'm done gaming I switch back to multi monitors. I just find it easier than trying to get the game to do what I want and everything else to stay where its at.

Banqu0 · 18 Jun 2014

Hmm. That's likely the most practical solution. How are your shortcuts configured?

alphanumeric · 18 Jun 2014

Have a look at this, Display Switch Shortcut - Create

Banqu0 · 18 Jun 2014

Very good! Thank you for your help.

alphanumeric · 18 Jun 2014

I used DisplaySwitch.exe /internal to switch to single display. The monitor that is set as the main display is the one that stays on. To switch back to multi monitors I used DisplaySwitch.exe /extend. I changed the icons to make it easy to tell what's what.

Fullscreen issues with dual monitors of differing aspect ratios.-shortcut-capture.png

I have them pinned to my taskbar.