Multiple monitors – Getting applications back after secondary display fails
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I run two PCs on dual monitor – by which I mean each PC is connected to the same two monitors. So much of the time, although they are dual monitor configurations I live only on a single monitor.
This means that every now and then, when you run an app it appears on the taskbar but not on screen, because it’s on the other monitor currently viewing the other PC.
Here’s my quick trick to get items on screen without switching monitor inputs;
- Right click on program name on taskbar.
- Click on Restore if available.
- If you had to click on Restore, right click again on program name on taskbar.
- Click on Move, the mouse pointer should change to a set of four arrows.
- Press ANY cursor key, and the app should appear on the screen with the cursor, you can now use the mouse to position the application window.
Basically all you are doing is ensuring the application is not maximised (Restore) to allow you to move the application window.
Thanks to http://geekswithblogs.net/twickers for the tip
[tags]tips, hints[/tags]
Hi jayb,
there’s a very cool software called UltraMon. it creates a “smart” taskbar for each monitor. you should check it out.
http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/
Oh, I have this problem frequently. I don’t have the same setup as you, but I do use remote desktop to access my dual-monitor setup at work. I use the same procedures as above. It seems like it should be easy to fix the problem for good though. Your configuration is probably less common than mine.
@cash4gold thanks for the link. I’ll have to checkout the software, its not free but it looks very useful
@Paul One of my monitors is my LCD on my notebook, docking and un-docking as well as applications that are not writing for dual monitors can be a big problem.
Thanks to both of you for visiting and commenting. Have a great day.
I’ve been having the same problem lately. I try to use remote desktop to access the two-monitor setup that I use at the office. I use basically the same steps as you, with a few minor exceptions. It works – and I’m definitely no computer whiz.
Thq for the tip…Even I used UltraMon earlier when i had dual monitor setup..
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I used to have this problem and had a software to deal with it. Cant remember the name now, since that was more then a year ago. I checked this Ultramon right now, and it does something similar. It could help.
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I have always wanted to try that and run two monitors beside each other. I think it would be easier on my eyes. It is good to know some of the tricks to make this whole process easier when I’m ready. I just bought a second hand computer and await the delivery in the next few days, thenIi can try this.
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Hi jayb, thanks for the tip. I’m planning to buy a second monitor, but still not sure if my favorite apps will support the setup.
Seonewbie from Odessas last blog post..No Comments
The two monitor thing’s never worked too well for me, but maybe it’s a problem with my laptop. Some people at work have three monitor set ups now. I’m very jealous, they look well cool!
Thanks for this tip. I only recently began using a dual monitor setup and I still have a lot to learn on how to use it properly.
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I've been having the same problem lately. I try to use remote desktop to access the two-monitor setup that I use at the office. I use basically the same steps as you, with a few minor exceptions. It works – and I'm definitely no computer whiz.