Question about Windows 7 and multiple monitors

Grooveriding

Diamond Member
Dec 25, 2008
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Hi all,

I am having a problem I cannot solve. Under Windows 7 I'm sure we are all familiar when you use multiple monitors that Windows will assign a number to each monitor you see when you pull up the display settings.

Now when you use the Windows+P command you can switch between just one monitor being active or extending the displays etc.

The problem I have is Windows 7 always assigns #2 to my 30" Dell I have connected via DVI and #1 to a Sony HDTV I have connected via HDMI. Because of this when I choose to use only computer display it turns off the 30" and makes the HDTV the main display.

I cannot for the life of me find a way to make the 30" Dell be assigned as '#1' monitor and the HDTV as '#2'. I've tried disconnecting and reconnecting the screens in different configurations etc. But once I get the Dell as #1 and then plug in the HDTV to the HDMI port it switches the TV to #1 and the 30" to #2.

Is there a way to force windows to set which screen receives which # or is it beyond the user's control ?

Thanks
 

Lonyo

Lifer
Aug 10, 2002
21,938
6
81
Tell it to display "projector only" instead of "computer only"?
 
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Grooveriding

Diamond Member
Dec 25, 2008
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Do you have your 30" Dell set as Primary Display?

Yes it is set to primary. It's puzzling, I am trying to understand how windows determines how it decides which monitor receives which number. I want to find a way to do this so I can keep the hdtv disabled unless I need it. Trying to get idle temperatures down.
 
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notty22

Diamond Member
Jan 1, 2010
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0
I have a tv and a old 17 lcd on my htpc.
It seems to make the tv as # 1
But I can go in to windows 7 screen resolution where it allows
'change the appearance of your displays'
I can move the 1 to be on the left or right side of #2 by dragging and dropping. This allows correct orientation for dragging and dropping in regards to how they are physically lined up.
Not sure if this will help resolve what your going after.
Then either monitor can still be labeled the main display also.
For my needs this renders which is #1 or #2 less important.
 

Grooveriding

Diamond Member
Dec 25, 2008
9,147
1,329
126
I have a tv and a old 17 lcd on my htpc.
It seems to make the tv as # 1
But I can go in to windows 7 screen resolution where it allows
'change the appearance of your displays'
I can move the 1 to be on the left or right side of #2 by dragging and dropping. This allows correct orientation for dragging and dropping in regards to how they are physically lined up.
Not sure if this will help resolve what your going after.
Then either monitor can still be labeled the main display also.
For my needs this renders which is #1 or #2 less important.

Dragging it over to the left hand side did the trick. Thanks!!!