Desktop icons messing when 2nd monitor is unplugged

[linas.warrior]

I’ve upgraded my video card from GTX 780 to GTX 980 and I decided that I don’t need 2nd monitor anymore (it’s half broken anyway), so I’ve unplugged it, but after that, irritating problem occurred – I keep my dekstop icons on the left as usual, but every time I turn on the pc, my dekstop icons now moves from left to right, sometimes to the middle. Anyway to fix it? It really bothers me. I’m very sensitive to the such nonsenses PC makes. The problem can only be solved by plugging 2nd monitor back, but I don’t want to keep 2nd plugged in anymore. When there is one monitor plugged in, Windwows just messing with icons like with play toy. And while two are plugged, everything is ok. “Allow themes to change desktop icons” is unchecked. Also unchecked “Auto arange icons”. Tried to reinstall video driver, doesn’t helped. What’s wrong?

Why my Samsung wants Acer in the company so bad? :D

[Air]

Rearrange your desktop icons and then hit F5, that should then save the positions of your icons.

[linas.warrior]

Tried, doesn't work.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Try plugging the 2nd monitor back in; then delete it from Windows before u actually unplug it. If the icons mess up after this, switch to a low res, move the icons, reboot, then switch back to the res of choice (or native) and put the icons back again.

Never had this issue or seen it first hand; but people say that just unplugging other displays doesn't remove them from the system, as Windows will then keep it's profile setup on-hand saved in the registry should u reconnect it again later. So maybe that has something to do with it.

[_I_]

you can move the icons to the other monitor before you unplug it
or use a program to save/restore desktop icon locations (driver sweepwer has an option)

[linas.warrior]

Well, I played a bit with cables, plug, unplugg, etc… I have now one monitor connected, but on “screen resolution” it shows that there is two plugged. Here how it looks:
http://postimg.org/image/udl9v7xyx/
Icons now stays in place where I put them and I can live with that, but still, interesting why my computer thinks that two monitors are connected. There is no option in “multiple displays” to disable second monitor.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

I see an issue here thanx to the screenshot.

You have Display #2 actually set as Viewable Screen #1; the icon issue u have is due to this + having the "Desktop Set to Show on 1" enabled.

Try switching the config of your screens. Then just ensure all icons are actually on Display #1 where your main desktop is before u unplug or turn off the 2nd screen.

[linas.warrior]

Please be more clear :) "You have Display #2 actually set as Viewable Screen #1; the icon issue u have is due to this + having the "Desktop Set to Show on 1" enabled." So how do I disable 2nd one, if it's not even plugged in and there is no "disable monitor" in options.

This is how “screen resolution” panel looks after I PLUG second monitor IN then unplug:
http://postimg.org/image/zcptucir3/
This is how it looks after I reboot PC. 2nd monitor appears from somewhere and somewhy (2nd monitor cables are unpluged):
http://postimg.org/image/udl9v7xyx/
It looks like it’s trying to search for 2nd monitor or something.

Maybe it’s something to do with registry, it remembers or creates profile for two monitors?

Very strange thing.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Yea I don't know what to say as far as Physical Display #2 being as Viewable Screen #1; or why it comes back after a reboot when it's already been disconnected before-hand.

What cable connections are you using for both screens (be specific please).

[linas.warrior]

For main monitor I use HDMI and for 2nd one I used DVI.

[rotNdude]

Disconnect the second monitor, reboot, go into Control Panel, Device Manager and uninstall the second monitor.

[linas.warrior]

Tried that. I uninstall one and it disappears (in “screen resolution” both stays), but if I click “scan for hardware changes”, I log off user and log back or reboot PC, it reappears in “Device manager”.

[rotNdude]

If that's the case, then you may have told the system to always display the icons to be on monitor two. After you disable the second monitor, click on it in screen resolution and drag it to monitor one. What OS are you running?

[linas.warrior]

Windows 7 64-bit. Dunno what to say. I looks like I have phantom monitor connected to PC :D If I disable it via Device manager 2nd one name changes from "generic non pnp monitor" to "Display device on: VGA" in "Screen resolution" panel. BUT THERE IS NO ANY CABLES except HDMI connected.

Nvidia control panel in Set up multiple display panel says there is two monitors: Samsung and "Analog display". What analog? Lol.

I've noticed when I turn off PC and leave my main Samsung monitor on, it's jumping between analog and HDMI connection.

LOL what, I've noticed this "phantom" monitor now dissapeared automatically after keeping PC on 10 minutes, but when I restart PC, it's back. What a haunted monitor :D But Nvidia control panel shows "analog display" no matter what.

I googled a bit and found that I, it seems I have "phantom" monitor issue and I'm not alone having it. And no idea how to solve it.

[Bad 💀 Motha]

Also try this while the 2nd Monitor is connected (but also keep in mind what RotNDude said above)

Go into device manager (both displays connected) uninstall any monitors listed; when asked to reboot, click No/Later. Then click Start > Shutdown and disconnect 2nd monitor; then boot up.

I've had this happen b4 on laptops w/ multi-screens via HDMI and that worked for me.

Then next time u go to use more then one screen; make sure #1 is in fact set as #1; #2 as #2; etc.

[linas.warrior]

Too bad, not worked :( "Phantom" still there.