Why does Vista keep changing my display settings?

kaitie · Sep 19, 2009

This isn't a very serious problem as it's easy enough to fix, just annoying. I've got a laptop, and it seems that 90% of the time when it wakes up after sleeping or hibernating the resolution changes. I get annoyed having to constantly change it back.

I think the problem started after I hooked it up to a projector at school a few months ago and set it to dual display. The thing is, I can't change it off of dual display (if that's even the problem) because it only shows that option when it's actually connected.

If anyone has any suggestions I'd love to hear them.

scarletpeaches · Sep 19, 2009

Set fire to your computer.

(No, really. I have a Vista laptop and it are teh debil. Oh for the days of XP...)

Cella · Sep 19, 2009

Every week I have to reset my time--it's always exactly two hours behind ???

GordonK · Sep 19, 2009

Katie, try right click on desktop, select properties ... see if there's anything in the popup window that interests you... like settings.

Cella, check your regional setting. Double click the clock at bottom right corner... hopefully your computer thinks it's in another time zone...

archerjoe · Sep 19, 2009

Just a guess but it sounds like the video driver disagrees with your choice of resolution. As GordonK says above, check it out and be sure to check any "Advanced" buttons or tabs.

MGraybosch · Sep 19, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
Set fire to your computer.

(No, really. I have a Vista laptop and it are teh debil. Oh for the days of XP...)

Nuke your computer from orbit. It's the only way to be sure. Then get a MacBook Pro. The 13" models are sweeter than a basket full of kittens.

scarletpeaches · Sep 19, 2009

I'm on my XP netbook just now, which makes me just this side of homicidal, so...yeah. I think you're all safe tonight.

MGraybosch · Sep 19, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
I'm on my XP netbook just now, which makes me just this side of homicidal, so...yeah. I think you're all safe tonight.

I could never use a netbook; the keyboards are too small and cramped.

scarletpeaches · Sep 19, 2009

You clearly have manly fingers; mine are delicate and ladylike.

(Besides, the keyboard's only 75% normal size).

MGraybosch · Sep 19, 2009

scarletpeaches said:
You clearly have manly fingers; mine are delicate and ladylike.

I've got short, stubby fingers. Playing the piano with 'em is a bitch.

bylinebree · Sep 19, 2009

Oh goodie, people griping about Vista!! :rant:

My laptop. Finally figured out most of Vista...except for the horrifying Windows Updates which usually screw something up. Even learned to deal with that.

So I tried an online backup service (name shall remain unnamed). The day I downloaded: bolloxed!!

Now I have to screw up the courage to, um, reload Vista. Dammit.

Excuse & forgive me, back to avoidance behavior/writing what I should be instead of griping.

kaitie · Sep 19, 2009

GordonK said:
Katie, try right click on desktop, select properties ... see if there's anything in the popup window that interests you... like settings.

Yeah, the display settings are where I always go to change it back. I just am not sure why it changes to begin with. It's odd because it doesn't do it every time, either. I'm not sure what's confusing it.

What's funny is I didn't intend this as Vista bashing. Believe it or not, I'm actually pretty happy with it. A lot of things are more common sense than they were in XP, and aside from setting up multiple internet settings, everything was very simple to set up. And I love the new version of Word, which I expected to really hate. This is basically the only problem I have.

Matera the Mad · Sep 19, 2009

Great big long page of sleep troubleshooting stuff

Another idea that I found along the way is to reboot your computer right after changing the settings. IMO this might help, at least in cases not involving dual monitors.

BUT: I think this is the real killer:
Open the Task scheduler and disable a task in it called TMM (Microsoft Transient Multi-Monitor Manager)

(Duh, the Task scheduler???

Yeah. Control Panel -> Administrative tools -> Task scheduler)

I don't do neckbreaking laptops. I only do backbreaking desktops. :tongue

GordonK · Sep 19, 2009

katie,

Display setting gets changed after hooked up with external display is not just a Vista thing. I have a netbook that runs on XP and it has non-standard display ratio, much thinner. Whenever I hook it to the flat screen TV, it will start to adapt the TV's resolution. But after I 're-adjust' the resolution setting, it will stay proper until next time I hook it up with the TV. Chances are your laptop and the projector have different resolution ratios.

kaitie · Sep 19, 2009

GordonK said:
katie,

Display setting gets changed after hooked up with external display is not just a Vista thing. I have a netbook that runs on XP and it has non-standard display ratio, much thinner. Whenever I hook it to the flat screen TV, it will start to adapt the TV's resolution. But after I 're-adjust' the resolution setting, it will stay proper until next time I hook it up with the TV. Chances are your laptop and the projector have different resolution ratios.

Well, they do. However, I haven't hooked up to the projector in at least two months. It's almost like the computer occasionally assumes there will be a projector present and accommodates, but I can't figure out how to fix it so it doesn't if that's the case.

Matera the Mad · Sep 19, 2009

Have you checked the task Scheduler (post above)?

*Shrug*

GordonK · Sep 19, 2009

Can it be possible that your laptop is still assuming dual display mode? Your laptop should have a function key (or a combo of keys) to switch among screen, external, and dual display modes. (There should be an icon in the system tray that does the same thing, but I find it easier pressing keys.) If you don't remember, try F1-12 in turn while holding down the Fn (or whatever it's named) key. Alternate through the selection to make sure it's in 'screen' mode. And then go to the desktop property window to select your preferred and proper resolution.

kaitie · Sep 20, 2009

That's what I thought, but when I go to the area that sets it, it has "single display" selected and says that more than one must be connected to use the multiple display function. It's odd. I'm starting to think it's just a bug in program.

Chase · Sep 20, 2009

I agree Vista has some advantages over XP as an operating system. I actually had the two side-by-side on my Dell XPS 1710 when it was new, and saw some really good qualities in Vista.

However, after I went solely with Vista, it seems that just when I got used to a process, Windows Update sneaked in a change that upset the apple cart. I finally was able to shut down updates and get along with "good enough."

I'm sure I'll survive until most of the bugs are shooed out of Windows 7 so I can change to that and wish to God I hadn't.

benbradley · Sep 20, 2009

Does this help?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/945459

Matera the Mad · Sep 20, 2009

READ the article/link posted above.

Nivarion · Sep 20, 2009

The ultimate link to solving all of your windows problems.

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TheAntar · Sep 21, 2009

Vista is better than Windows XP.

Nobody has ever had a problem "because they have Vista" ... they have a problem because they haven't LEARNED Vista yet, there's something wrong with their computer (think back to the year 2004 - people still got viruses, parts failed, files got corrupted, etc only back then people blamed themselves, thinking they didn't know how to use a computer. Now they just blame Vista). The other thing I find people don't like about Vista is because the stuff they are trying to use is just too old (old printer, pre-2003 software programs, etc)

As for the resolution thing -- Windows Sleep mode/hibernate has always been buggy, I'd just turn it off. Set your Power Savings (go into screen saver to get there) to just turn off your display after 10-20 minutes of inactivity and let it be. The screen takes like 75% of the power, so having your screen off isn't much different on your power bill than sleep mode.

If you really want to leave Hibernate enabled, then you should update your display and screen drivers. To do this, you will navigate to the manufacturer's website.

For instance, a Sony notebook's drivers would be listed at http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/se...6c178c8bb44ff50aab6d494489450&DIRECTOR=DRIVER

If you need help finding it, just post your manufacturer and model number and I can post the link.

Nivarion · Sep 21, 2009

TheAntar said:
Vista is better than Windows XP.

Nobody has ever had a problem "because they have Vista" ... they have a problem because they haven't LEARNED Vista yet, there's something wrong with their computer (think back to the year 2004 - people still got viruses, parts failed, files got corrupted, etc only back then people blamed themselves, thinking they didn't know how to use a computer. Now they just blame Vista). The other thing I find people don't like about Vista is because the stuff they are trying to use is just too old (old printer, pre-2003 software programs, etc)

As for the resolution thing -- Windows Sleep mode/hibernate has always been buggy, I'd just turn it off. Set your Power Savings (go into screen saver to get there) to just turn off your display after 10-20 minutes of inactivity and let it be. The screen takes like 75% of the power, so having your screen off isn't much different on your power bill than sleep mode.

If you really want to leave Hibernate enabled, then you should update your display and screen drivers. To do this, you will navigate to the manufacturer's website.

For instance, a Sony notebook's drivers would be listed at http://esupport.sony.com/CA/perl/se...6c178c8bb44ff50aab6d494489450&DIRECTOR=DRIVER

If you need help finding it, just post your manufacturer and model number and I can post the link.

I'd beg to differ.

When the OS alone is taking up 56% of a 4 gig, 2700 gHz dual core computer, Its a problem. When you get a blue screen for any little error, but not when the interface crashes, its a problem.

When you have an update every other week thats sole purpose is to fix the update the week before, its a problem.

I fired my vista. It just doesn't work as advertised.

scarletpeaches · Sep 21, 2009

TheAntar said:
Vista is better than Windows XP.

Nobody has ever had a problem "because they have Vista" ... they have a problem because they haven't LEARNED Vista yet

Way to go with insulting people who have a problem with the OS.

Why does Vista keep changing my display settings?

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