Start menu height + dual monitor setup

Hi WindowsBBS,

I have dual monitors running, primary @ 1440x900 and secondary @ 1024x768.
My start menu is sitting on my secondary monitor but it looks like its limiting its "max height" based on the resolution of my primary monitor.

With the resolutions mentioned above, my start menu looses 2 or 3 items from the bottom of the list before it wraps into a new column (I have scrolling turned off). Ideally it should scale to the height of the monitor its currently sitting on, otherwise a fixed height solution is also good.

Is there any way to do this?

Thanks

 

Do you want the larger screen to be the primary (with the Start Menu and Task Bar)? If so, you will need to reverse the screens as primary and secondary in the settings. Otherwise, it may just be a matter of reversing the connections on the graphics card.

Now...if you have the graphics adapter software/manager installed, for example, nVidia or ATI, use those manufacturer's software settings, not Windows Display settings (that are in Start -> Control Panel -> Display).

Running two different resolutions can be hard for the graphics system. Making settings may be difficult. The screen ratios are 16:10 and 4:3, right? Check the monitor specifications and their "native" resolution. Use a ratio that suits the monitor (if it is offered in the settings??).

If I am not reading your question correctly, let me know. Also, post back with make and model numbers...of the graphics adapter and the monitors...at least. To get details go to Start -> Run and enter dxdiag -> Display tab 1; 2 -> under the Device listing.

It is fun (ha-ha!) setting up screens with different resolutions, you will need to try several (many?) settings and return them to previous if they don't work. Use lower settings if they are suitable, making higher settings may result in a blank screen.

Matt

 

Thanks for the reply matt, unfortunately you did read it wrong Actually now that I look at it I didn't really explain it properly - so my bad.

None the less, here are my specs. That should shed some more light on the situation.

Primary Monitor (1) SyncMaster 940BW (19" LCD Widescreen @ 1440x900)
Secondary Monitor (2) Viewsonic E773 (17" CRT @ 1024x768)

Most recent NVidia drivers using "DualView" monitor configuration. (eVGA 7600GT KO)

(1) contains my default desktop (new icons appear here)
(2) currently has the start menu, BUT it was moved over from (1) by dragging it across monitors

Just to be clear, everything is set up the way I want it. My issue is that the start menu (which is sitting on (2)) has a max height > than that of (2)'s resolution height. This causes items at the bottom of the menu to disappear. Also, I do NOT want the start menu on the primary monitor.

Note: If I change (1)'s resolution to match (2) the start menu behaves properly (no items are lost from the bottom of each column)

My question is: How can I fix the height of the start menu so it doesn't run off the screen (either by making sure it uses its current monitor's resolution or by giving it a fixed value) - is this possible?

Thanks again.

 

I might not be able to add much more. It would seem Windows is working on the resolution of the larger display to make it height adjustments for the menu. You can make adjustments to the menu by right-clicking on the Start button and select Properties. You can try the different types, XP or Classic and customise each, like try "Small Icons ", or in Classic "Scroll Programs ".

I have 17" and 21" CRTs on a 6600GT. I find DualView gives me some problems, similar to what you describe, so, I run in Clone and even turn off the monitor I am not using if I don't need it. Try selecting a lower refresh rate if it is available, that should help the graphics card.

See if eVGA has updated drivers. I don't like using the most recent drivers from nVidia, because they may have outmoded the adapter.

A trick? Uninstall the nVidia software in Add/Remove programs. When you restart and the Add New Hardware wizard runs, let it search for the drivers on the eVGA drivers CD. That should install the drivers without the nVidia control panel, you can then make adjustments to the screens using Windows Display settings. I think you will find less "quirks" that way. [I know this method works for ATI and other manufacturers, not quite sure if it works for nVidia.]

Matt