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December 18th, 2013 11:00
Setting display priority?
We have a Dell OptiPlex 3010 with three flat panels attached to it
#1 is connected to the VGA port
#2 is connected to the HDMI port
#3 is connected to the Sabrent USB DH-88 adapter.
When the monitors are first turned on, the Firefox browser window will show up on the monitor that the Sabrent adapter is plugged in as long as it is turned on first.
If the monitor plugged in the HDMI port is turned on first or after the Sabrent connected monitor is already on, the browser window jumps over to the monitor that is connected via HDMI. Do you know of any reason why the HDMI port would be grabbing the browser window like that? Is there some kind of video port priority setting on the OptiPlex?
Sabrent says they have no idea as to the cause.
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RoHe
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December 18th, 2013 12:00
What version of Windows? There are screens in recent versions of Windows where you can designate which monitor is #1, #2...
Sounds like the monitor on HDMI is set to be #1. But if #1 isn't on first, Windows probably sends the output to whichever monitor it can see, at least until #1 is available.
Maybe this is a dumb question, but why not turn all monitors on first, before booting the PC, so Windows sends things to the proper monitor from the beginning?
DilbertW01
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December 18th, 2013 14:00
Windows 7. I don't see any option in Display control panel to change the ordering.
The computer stays on at all times (it displays network stats, system status, etc.). The monitors are turned off at night. When we come in the morning, the monitors are turned back on, and the Sabrent connected monitor's browser jumps at that point.
I looked in the OptiPlex BIOS too, but I don't see any display options there either. I did try the Intel graphic control panel, but it ended up disabling the Sabrent-connected monitor. It took me a while to get all three of them working again.
RoHe
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December 18th, 2013 18:00
Are you using an add-in video card or on-board video? If it's an add-in card, you might need to look in the Catalyst Control Center or the nVidia control panel depending on what card you have.
Also look in Windows Control Panel: Display>Screen Resolution to see if you can move the monitors assigments around.
Another option might be to adjust your Win 7 power options since the PC stays on all the time:
Start >Control Panel >System and Security>Power Options>Change Plan settings.
Maybe you can just set Windows to put the monitors to sleep after X minutes and then you don't have to power them off at night. That might preserve the way things are displayed. If you try this, you may also have to go to the Power Management tab in Device Manager for the USB root hub that drives the USB monitor and uncheck the box "Allow PC to turn off this device.."
Or maybe you need to play with C State Control and/or Deep Sleep Control settings in BIOS...??
Maybe somebody else has a better idea...
DilbertW01
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December 19th, 2013 05:00
The VGA port and HDMI connections are on the onboard video. I went into the Intel control panel and tried to change the monitor setup there yesterday, but it took the 3rd monitor (Sabrent - USB adapter connected) offline. It took me a while and a restart or two to sort that out.
In Control Panel / Display, I don't see any where to reassign the monitor number assignments.
The power options, USB state and PCI link settings in the power options have all been disabled or set to maximum performance to keep the system from turning anything off on its own.
Management wants the monitors turned off at night ( not wise to argue with the boss ),
Where is the C State Control or Deep Sleep settings in the BIOS? I didn't see any display settings when I was in there yesterday.
I appreciate all your feedback. While it has not been the answer, it certainly has helped the brain to turn and burn on thinking of things to check.
RoHe
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December 19th, 2013 12:00
I hear ya! :emotion-2:
I have no hands-on with this model or the problem you're experiencing so I'm just making suggestions here...
You didn't say what form factor this system is, but the mini-tower model manual, page 36, shows a Performance option for C State in BIOS and page 37 shows a Power Management option for Deep Sleep.
Since the problem may be with the USB ports (rather then with video, directly), you may need to change these power options so USB ports don't get turned off overnight.
DId anyone ever wiggle the mouse before powering on the monitors to see if that wakes things up properly before it looks to see what displays are connected? That might tell you if changing the power options will help.
But as I said, I have no hands-on here, so I'm guessing, as much as you are, and just trying to keep the boss happy!