"User expresses frustration with current state of multi-monitor support in AI and requests improvements before further discussion on AI's future is entertained."
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In the ever-evolving world of gaming and computing, a user's frustration with managing a unique three-monitor setup in Windows 11 has come to light. This week, as part of our "Gripes Week hub," we delve into the challenges faced by this user and the potential solutions.
The user's setup comprises an LCD monitor for work and gaming, a new OLED screen for gaming to avoid burn-in, and a 19-inch Diamondtron CRT for retro PC gaming. However, a graphics card upgrade inadvertently caused the LCD and OLED monitors to become unmoored from each other, leading to a series of issues.
One of the user's only reliable workarounds is the Windows plus Shift plus P shortcut, which allows selection between "PC Screen Only" and "Second Screen Only." This trick for managing monitors started working again without any changes, but the user's mouse lock also remained elusive. Despite checking the "lock mouse to screen" option, the mouse wouldn't stay locked to the OLED monitor.
The user's PC struggles to determine when a monitor is "off" or "on," particularly with the LCD and CRT monitors. Unlike the OLED, the LCD and CRT monitors do not have space-age firmware to tell the PC when they are turned off. This inconsistency causes display glitches and delays.
The lack of options for managing three screens was frustrating for the user, who is a fan of CRPGs and CRPG-adjacent games. The user perceives the "Second Screen Only" option as targeted at business guys using projectors for presentations, rather than gamers with multiple monitors.
Microsoft is promoting Copilot in Windows 11, but the user finds it frustrating due to an issue with it taking pictures of credit card numbers. The user is hoping for a solution to this issue from Microsoft or other relevant parties.
Key steps to fix and optimize multi-monitor support with automatic detection include checking hardware and cables, updating system BIOS, Windows, and graphics drivers, resetting display settings, and using Windows Display Settings to manually detect and configure. Utilities like Custom Resolution Utility have been used to resolve resolution conflicts.
For automatically detecting when a single monitor is "on" or "off" in a setup where only one monitor is used at a time, Windows does not natively handle this well. Practical workarounds include using "Detect" in Display Settings to rescan monitors upon connection changes, using physical monitor power controls carefully, considering using GPU software, and using software tools or scripts to toggle displays.
In summary, fixing multi-monitor issues in Windows 11 involves checking physical connections, updating drivers/BIOS, resetting display settings, and using system settings or third-party tools to manage monitor detection. Automatic detection of monitor power states for a single active monitor scenario primarily relies on how the monitor reports its status and Windows' ability to detect hot-plug events, which can be inconsistent. Employing utilities or scripts to manually toggle monitors based on user needs is often the most reliable approach for a three-monitor setup where only one is used at a time.
[1] https://www.howtogeek.com/672289/how-to-fix-windows-11s-multi-monitor-problems/ [2] https://www.windowscentral.com/how-fix-multi-monitor-problems-windows-11 [3] https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/7043-custom-resolution-utility-install-windows-10-a.html [4] https://www.windowscentral.com/how-manage-multiple-monitors-windows-11
- In the midst of battling multiple monitor issues in Windows 11, the user, an avid fan of CRPGs and related games, found solace in the Windows plus Shift plus P shortcut, a gadget reminiscent of a game-winning glitch.
- Pondering the possibility of upgrading his smartphone, the user wished for technology similar to space-age firmware found in his OLED screen, enhancing the smartphone's ability to communicate its power status to the system.
- Despite Microsoft's efforts to streamline gaming and computing with Copilot in Windows 11, the user remained frustrated with the smartphone's intuition, particularly its apparent inability to avoid taking pictures of credit card numbers.
- As the user sifted through online resources, hoping to find a solution to his multi-monitor woes (1,3), he stumbled upon several blogs discussing tips and tricks for optimizing gadgets like his graphics card (2) and utilities like Custom Resolution Utility (4).
