Windows – Dual monitors always switched on startup

multiple-monitorswindows 7

I have a Dell Precision 490 running Windows 7 and a NVidia Quadro NVS 285 video card. I have two monitors, and my left is plugged into the cable marked "1" and the right is plugged into "2". Inside Windows both the NVidia Control Panel and the standard Windows Screen Resolution both identify each monitor correctly.

No matter how many times I fix it, when the system starts the appearance has monitor 1 to the right of monitor 2, and monitor 2 is set as the default screen. I can use the NVidia Control Panel and tell it to 'Restore Defaults', and it then goes to the correct configuration.

There is no virus or malware, so I'm stumped why the settings are wrong again when I boot. How can I keep this from happening?

Best Answer

I've seen this problem numerous times and the steps seem subtly different for different machines, monitors and versions of Windows. I've even seen similar problems on Linux.

What I would suggest is:

  1. Stop extending the desktop to monitor 2.
  2. Unplug monitor 2's video cable and let Windows realise it's gone.
  3. Power down the machine.
  4. Power up the machine with just one screen.
  5. Let it boot, log in and then power down again.
  6. Power up the machine again, let it boot and log in.
  7. Plug monitor 2's video cable back in.
  8. Extend the desktop to monitor 2.

If you are lucky, the next time you start up, the screens will stay where you put them.

Under XP/Vista if that failed, I would try try deleting the monitor devices in device manager after step 2 (after showing hidden devices). Not sure if this will make a difference in Windows 7 however.

Finally, if that doesn't work, I would try plugging Monitor 1 into the other video port between steps 3 and 4.

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