Detect Displays on Windows?

Question

Is there anyway to do something like Mac OS X's "Detect Displays" on Windows (Vista Business, SP2)?

I have two monitors connected to two computers, one of them through a KVM-switch. When Windows is started or unlocked while not the active computer on the switch, the screen resolution is set to 1024 x 768 on the switched screen. It is also reported as the largest size the screen can handle, so I can't just reset it to its native 1680 x 1050.

On my Mac, I can just use System Preferences -> Displays -> Detect Displays to make the OS pick up that it's actually a bigger screen, but I haven't been able to find something like this on Windows. Tips or suggestions?

Edit: If I reboot the PC while it is the active computer in the KVM switch, I can change the resolution to 1680 x 1050 without a problem. The issue is that the KVM switch is reporting a max resolution of 1024 x 768 and I can't get Windows to detect that there's another screen at the end of the cable without a reboot.

Solution 1

(Moving comment to answer per @Lizzan's request, although I didn't quite think it warranted being an answer)

There is a great big honking 'Detect' button in the Display Properties in Windows 7. I know Vista has this functionality (at least, I recall being able to do it in XP as well so why would it be missing?)but if the button isn't there I don't know what to tell you, as I don't have a Vista image handy I can poke around with. :/

Solution 2

On Windows 7 you can press [WindowsKey]-P and choose between single, clone and extend.

This also detects the monitor if it's currently not seen – useful when the second monitor is lost after a KVM switching etc.

Comments

[Tog]

What model/make KVM?

[Lizzan]

@Tog: It's one of these: aten.com/products/…

[MBraedley]

What graphics card are you using? Also, is the other computer on the KVM using the proper resolution?

[Lizzan]

@MBraedley: The graphics card is an ATI Radeon HD 2600 XT. My Mac also changes the resolution to 1024 x 768 if I start it while it's not the active computer in the KVM, but I can just do a "Detect Displays" to have it pick up the right display again.

[Joe Taylor]

@Shinrai - Vista does indeed have the Detect button

[Lizzan]

I did find the button on my Windows 7 virtual machine, but I haven't been able to find it on my Vista. Can anyone with access to Vista find this button and post a screenshot of it?

[Lizzan]

The graphics card supports the resolution fine, if I restart the computer while it is the active computer in the KVM-switch. I'll edit my question to add that.

[Lizzan]

Since my question was "Is there anyway to do something like Mac OS X's "Detect Displays" on Windows (Vista)?", and you say there's such a button, I'd say it counts as an answer! =)

[uxout]

It may NOT have the button though. See, I'm not sure. I can't think of any valid reason it WOULDN'T though...

[Lizzan]

@Shinrai: Could you possibly add a screenshot of where I can find this button - I have a Swedish OS and I'm not sure that I'm in the right place because I can't find the button you've mentioned.

[Lizzan]

I did find the button on my Windows 7 virtual machine, but I haven't been able to find it on my Vista. Can anyone with access to Vista find this button and post a screenshot of it?

[uxout]

@Lizzan - Looks like my fears were correct. Hope somebody's able to find this for you.

[Lizzan]

Is this on Vista? Could you please provide a screenshot, because I can't find the Detect button, only the Identify one.

[Lizzan]

Vista Business, SP2

[Lizzan]

@Shinrai: Awarded you the bounty as you at least let me know there's supposed to be a solution, and showing it exists on Win7. Thanks for helping out!

[uxout]

@Lizzan - Sorry I couldn't do any better. I'm frankly surprised that nobody knows how to do this in Vista!

[Lizzan]

@Shinrai: No problems! I'm glad there's a solution for Win7 at least, I should probably ask for an OS update anyways...:-)