Fences re-arranging desktop layout in dual screen mode on every login

from Stardock Forums

Hello,

I have a dual-screen setup with an extended windows layout under the most recent Windows 10 (and latest Fences version). Primary monitor connected via HDMI, secondary via displayport and dvi adapter, AMD Radeon Vega 8 graphics.

On every single login, any fence or icon on the second monitor is re-arranged onto the primary monitor. Since my primary is also relatively full, most of it is distributed further as well.

I can arrange them back manually and can also save and restore a layout, but it's destroyed again every single time.

I have the suspicion that the second monitor with displayport is slightly slower in turning back on after energy-saving mode and thus Fences always assumes one monitor only at startup. But it could be merely a second.

Is there any way to circumvent this issue?

fences
14,878 views 13 replies
Reply #1 from Stardock Forums Top

Hello,
Sorry to hear you are having issues. Please refer to these threads on guides for multiple monitors issue : https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#multimonitor 

and this one : https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#shortcutswrongmonitor

Try that and report back.


Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant.

Reply #2 from Stardock Forums Top

Thank you, basj.

It has helped partially: with the setting "per-screen-resolution", the fences on my second monitor briefly appear on my first monitor and are then distributed back to their place on the second monitor. Only issue remaining, those fences from 2nd monitor overlap for that period of time other icons on 1st monitor which Fences re-arranges aka pushes out of the way. Those icons are not brought back into their original place.

Notes:
- Reset saved settings for other screen resolutions provided no difference
- PrimaryMonitorLast is set correctly (although mine are labelled monitor 9 and 10 for some reason, but they are the correct ones and in the right order)

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Reply #3 from Stardock Forums Top

Not really clear on what is happening. But, if all the Fences, now, are correctly in their designated monitor. Did the restore layout snapshot work now?

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #4 from Stardock Forums Top

In my case per-screen-resolution also seems to have mostly helped, although so far there was still once that the desktops switched places. I tried restoring snapshot but didn't work. I also then changed which was my main display and tried restoring again, but didn't help. I ignored it after that and on next boot, it switch back to the correct order. I will update you if it continues.

EDIT(16.08.20): It just switched again...

EDIT(20.08.20): And again...

Reply #5 from Stardock Forums Top

My last resort was to clean the second screen of any icons. Then it was stable.

In fact it is now so "stable" that when I re-arranged something on my first, it immediately switched it back to the previous layout. I can now do whatever I want, I can even create a new layout, save it, and after the next login it is back to the old layout. And a restore of this new layout has effect for only a second, then fences goes back to old layout. :( :( :(

What is going on?

Reply #6 from Stardock Forums Top

Quoting mattk42, reply 2

- PrimaryMonitorLast is set correctly (although mine are labelled monitor 9 and 10 for some reason, but they are the correct ones and in the right order)
End of mattk42's quote

Looking back at your reply. What do you mean yours is label monitor 9 and 10?

On my reg editor it show like what FAQ S/shot "PrimaryMonitorLast ->\\.\DISPLAY1"

Please post what you're seeing on yours.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #7 from Stardock Forums Top

This is what it looks to me...

And the screens are in correct order...

Only thing I noticed is that at boot, mainboard ASRock logo appears on the right screen.

Reply #8 from Stardock Forums Top

Thanks for your feedback. Really not sure why yours is at Monitor 9. Anyway to be sure, I have forward your problem/question to Stardock Support Team for their assistance. Please keep an eye on this thread for any updates. We appreciate your feedback and patience.

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #9 from Stardock Forums Top

Please try purge and reinstall steps as mentioned here: https://forums.stardock.com/486084/fences-support-faq#reinstalling Just make sure to redownload the latest version from your account. Reboot after the purged. Reinstall, and Reboot again after the installation. Retest it. Report back here.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant

Reply #10 from Stardock Forums Top

Will certainly try tomorrow. One question though: can I save and restore one or two layouts in this process, or do I fully need to start from scratch again?

Reply #12 from Stardock Forums Top

Reporting back: after purge, reboot, reinstall, reboot, I was able to apply the new layout (my backups were still there when Fences started).

Only now I cannot restore another layout, so I basically have the same issue. It switches to the restored layout and immediately switches back. (If you have a personal space somewhere, I can show you the effect with a small video)

PrimaryMonitorLast in Registry is now at Display1, and ResolutionLast is at Display1 and Display2.

Reply #13 from Stardock Forums Top

It might be because the reference to Display 9 from your previous setup still come along with the backuped layout snapshot. Might need to do a manual layout and save it into a new layout snapshot.

Thank you,

Basj,
Stardock Community Assistant