Reset Dual Monitors

[rkaczano]

I have moved this post from the graphics card forum.

I have an HTPC with a monitor attached to it via a VGA connection. I also have an HDMI cable attaching a second monitor in another room. Somehow, I changed the primary monitor to the one in the other room. Now I cannot see my desktop on the monitor next to the PC and thus cannot navigate. I cannot control the PC while looking at the other monitor (primary) in the other room.

The only way I can get my desktop back on the monitor next to the PC is to unplug the HDMI cable to the primary. However when I plug it back in, I lose the desktop again as the other monitor still thinks it is the primary (when it is plugged in).

I don't know how to reset this. What makes it difficult is that I believe I need to reset it while both monitors are plugged in. However I cannot control the PC when both are plugged in.

How do I fix this?

 

[rubyrubyroo]

can you flip through the projector menu using
rb:+P

or whatever your keyboard might be setup for as a way to toggle the displays

For instance on my keyboard there is a "moniter" symbol in a box on the f4 key looks kinda like |[]| before the box that i mentioned which simply means to use the [fn] function key, and it similarlly toggles through the same menu

not sure on a HTPC but this allows single-moniter#1, dual-duplicate, dual-desktop(the mode you seem to be in)and single-moniter#2

I not I can think of two possible other ways, then a last resort, thats a pain. hopefully this will work

 

[rkaczano]

My keyboard does not have those functions. It is a simple logitch keyboard. My screen is blank with a windows logo but no desktop icons. I could try to pick up a blue tooth keyboard and try to navitiate the deskptop in the other room with the other monitor which has visibility to the desktop.

Thanks

 

[rubyrubyroo]

okay how did you switch the primary with the secondary initially. What window, your graphics software or windows screen resolution window?

 

[rkaczano]

SorryI was wrong,

+P did work. Thanks!

 

[rubyrubyroo]

great!

I was going to tell you (for future advice)

try: rb:+R :to bring up the run menu, then you can run any program you need.


CONGRATS!
Mike

 

[rkaczano]

One last question. Could this also be rectified if the HTPC monitor was able to do 1080p? That is, the problem seems to occur when I extend the desktop monitor (MAIN) and the monitor on the end of the HDMI resets to the resolution of the HTPC monitor. If I replace the HTPC monitor with a new one will this fix the problem too?

I only have one HDMI out from my graphics card (AMD HD6750). This feeds my 1080p monitor in my other room. The only other outs from this card are a VGA and a funny looking ouput which I am assuming is a DVI (I think that is what that is called). The idea here is that I want 1080p on both monitors but need to get the 1080p signal from my grahics card to the new monitor by not using the HDMI out (i.e. the other ouputs).

 

[rubyrubyroo]

I dont believe there is any way to do that.

(maybe someone knows some clevar way to "trick" the device into believing it's displaying at a resolution/speed/method that it is not? I doubt it.)

and youre just trying to make you computer monitor display at 1080p so that it will match the HT screen rez - instead of having the HT screen "pulled-down" to whatever the computer moniter is displaying at? correct?

 

[rubyrubyroo]

have you tryed using the Catalist Control Cntr to create the 1080p for the main HT large screen while creating a group of settings that can be displayed by your other computer monitor?


it may be under: dig.flat pannels >> HDTV support (although i don't have it in front of me)

Mike

 

[rubyrubyroo]

Did you try this?

or have you figured out your issue?

 

[rkaczano]

Not yet. I need to find a way to control the HTPC from my actual theater room. It is too hard running back in forth from my basement to my other room. Will try and pick up a blu tooth keyboard. Way to hard to do this. See my other post on using the remote for the navigation functions in Win 7.

Thanks

 

[rubyrubyroo]

cant just move the computer "upstairs" somewhere close to tv