Primary Display Not Changing in Dual-Screen Setup

[benjiboy180]

I recently moved my older HD Tv (an LG Plasma) downstairs next to my computer for better movie viewing from the computer, but I noticed an odd problem when I plugged it in.

My monitor, which has always been used on this PC (attached via DVI) got sent to the Number 2 identity and the TV became Number 1. Now this is not such a big deal, except that it causes for some weirdness every once in a while. Some times programs automatically open on the TV (even though the monitor is definitely set as the Main Display).

Also, when I wake the computer up from hibernation sometimes, the monitor display does not turn on and I cannot see anything until I turn on the TV and switch displays (even though the pc booted down with only the monitor on).

Lastly, when I do Windows + P and change the screen projection and I select PC Screen Only, it leaves only the TV on, which should not be correct.

I will state again, my monitor IS set to be the main display. I have heard that you cannot change the numbers associated with the displays (thanks a lot Microsoft), but one would think that making a particular screen your primary would override all of these things.

Any ideas or suggestions, it's just getting a little frustrating to fiddle with all of the time.

 

[turkey3_scratch]

Are you sure it's your primary display?? Check Control Panel > Setup Multiple Displays and see if there is a star on your designated screen indicating it is primary. You could also use Nvidia Control panel or AMD control panel if you have their graphics cards.

Edit: I know I sound like an idiot asking when you said it is. Could you post a screenshot maybe?

 

[benjiboy180]

I feel that when the text explicitly says "This is currently your main display." when I have the display that I want to be my main display selected, I can be fairly confident that YES, it is indeed my primary display.

 

[benjiboy180]

 

[turkey3_scratch]

I feel that when the text explicitly says "This is currently your main display." when I have the display that I want to be my main display selected, I can be fairly confident that YES, it is indeed my primary display.

What graphics card do you have? If you can try another control panel.

 

[benjiboy180]

I have a GeForce GTX 770. I tried the Nvidia Control Panel and the Windows display and they both do the same thing.

 

[Thylbanus]

I have a GeForce GTX 770. I tried the Nvidia Control Panel and the Windows display and they both do the same thing.

I have the same card with the same problem. I've checked and rechecked, made sure with other games, but for some reason it just woun't accept my primary display. If I select windowed mode, the display is 1/4 sized and will not increase.

Workaround: Reinstall game (seemed to fix the 1/4 size problem). Go into Options on the launch window> Check "Windowed Mode"> uncheck "Borderless"> Launch game.
Move game window to primary and close it down. Edit Options again to now include "Borderless" and launch again and close.
Finally, edit Options one last time and deselect "Windowed Mode" and it snapped to my primary.

You may be able to skip the "Borderless" step, but that is what I did, if skipping it doesn't work for you.

 

[Karadjgne]

Primary display is only settable by software after boot. The actual primary is set by the gpu connection. I run dual monitors, 1 hdmi, the other dvi-d, and regardless of which I designate in Windows as primary, at boot the dvi-d is primary until windows opens, then the hdmi turns on and thats where I have primary set.

Yes, you can swap identification, easiest done in nvidia control, use the mouse and drag the numbers.

If you want the monitor truly as primary, I'd suggest switching inputs, because if the tv shuts off for non use, like in hibernation (which should never be used on a pc, sleep yes hibernate no) then this disrupts communication, as in the pc won't recognize dual monitors, but windows doesn't switch to the single monitor, leaving a blank screen. Using the dvi-d as primary to the monitor, hdmi secondary to TV should solve this