User screen resolution resets by itself

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (More info?)

Okay, I'm running WinXP SP2 with all the latest patches recommended by
Windows Update.

I have logged onto this machine as Administrator. I set the screen
resolution to 1024x768. It should stay there unless the user changes it,
correct?

Well, the user logs on and at first, the desktop looks like it's going
to be 1024x768... but after the desktop icons appear and a couple of the
Systray icons, the screen goes blank and resets to 1280x1024. The user
can set the resolution to 1024x768... and the next time they log in, it
will reset itself to 1280x1024!

This ONLY happens if the user is a member of the "USERS" group; if I
make them a member of the "ADMINISTRATORS" group, the resolution will
stay put.

I would almost think it was a group policy issue, but if it is, why does
it affect no other members of the group? And how did I set such a policy?

I tried re-creating the user's profile but the problem persisted. I
would suspect a program loading in his Startup folder, but there is
nothing in his startup folder (and that would not explain why it happens
when he's a "USER" but not when he's an "ADMINISTRATOR" ).

Anti-virus software is in place & up to date. I did a spyware scan and
found nothing of significance.

I am truly stumped. I tried looking through the Microsoft Knowledgebase
but could not find anything relevant.

I'm hoping someone here will have a suggestion (or two).

TIA,

Doug Starkey
Network Administrator
Pecan Deluxe Candy Company

Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.configuration_manage (More info?)

Not to be ungrateful but that's really not the resolution I was looking
for. The problem shouldn't exist, right? XP should set the resolution
and leave it alone. It should not "change" with every user (unless those
users are "administrator-level".

While this utility might mask the problem, the underlying problem is
still lurking.

The real issue is why, when I set the resolution as "Administrator",
would a user (with only "user-level" privileges) get the resolution
switched to a different one at log-in? And even more confusing, why if I
place that same user into the "Administrators" group, does the
resolution-switching stop?

Doug Starkey
Network Administrator
Pecan Deluxe Candy Company

In article <Osmf1iuuFHA.2504@tk2msftngp13.phx.gbl>,
"Ronnie Vernon MVP" <ronv@mvps.org> wrote:

> Doug Starkey wrote:
> > Okay, I'm running WinXP SP2 with all the latest patches recommended by
> > Windows Update.
> >
> > I have logged onto this machine as Administrator. I set the screen
> > resolution to 1024x768. It should stay there unless the user changes
> > it, correct?
> >
> > Well, the user logs on and at first, the desktop looks like it's going
> > to be 1024x768... but after the desktop icons appear and a couple of
> > the Systray icons, the screen goes blank and resets to 1280x1024. The
> > user can set the resolution to 1024x768... and the next time they log
> > in, it will reset itself to 1280x1024!
> >
> > This ONLY happens if the user is a member of the "USERS" group; if I
> > make them a member of the "ADMINISTRATORS" group, the resolution will
> > stay put.
> >
> > I would almost think it was a group policy issue, but if it is, why
> > does it affect no other members of the group? And how did I set such
> > a policy?
> >
> > I tried re-creating the user's profile but the problem persisted. I
> > would suspect a program loading in his Startup folder, but there is
> > nothing in his startup folder (and that would not explain why it
> > happens when he's a "USER" but not when he's an "ADMINISTRATOR" ).
> >
> > Anti-virus software is in place & up to date. I did a spyware scan and
> > found nothing of significance.
> >
> > I am truly stumped. I tried looking through the Microsoft
> > Knowledgebase but could not find anything relevant.
> >
> > I'm hoping someone here will have a suggestion (or two).
> >
> > TIA,
> >
> > Doug Starkey
> > Network Administrator
> > Pecan Deluxe Candy Company
>
> Doug
>
> MVP Doug Knox has a free utility that solves this problem.
>
> Per User Display Settings:
> http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp userdisplay.htm

I just solved this one....at least on my Compaq DE530.

Either edit the registry or run msconfig to remove SETREFRESH.EXE from starting with Windows.

SETREFRESH was located in one of the Compaq software folders on my machine, so I don't know if it's Compaq specific or if other vendors use it as well. At any rate, my computer no longer resets the resolution after reboot.

Andy

I have the same issue on a DELL Latitude D600.

any help to the above would be greatly appreciated!

for the moment the user is satisfied to adjust the settings at each logon, but its frustrating to say the least.

Problem with LCD monitors is that they have a "native" resolution. Plug and play monitors will of course tell Windows what that native resolution is and Windows will always want to set it to that resolution. This is especially true of OEM computers.

You could try downloading an updated video driver (if you can, download a reference driver... not one from you computer manufacturer). I haven't personally seen this issue on my LCD displays, so it's got me a bit stumped.

I had a similar WinXP problem that was driving me nuts. The problem came about when I closed the lid of my laptop while playing an older game. After exitting the game, Windows was stuck at 800x600 and 8bit color. When I went into settings and tried to put my settings back, Windows told me that a restart was necessary. So I restarted, and ran into the same bug other people have described- right after logon everything was fine at 1024x768, but after a few seconds it would reset down to 800x600. I changed the settings, restarted again, same thing happened.

What solved it was going to "Settings" and clicking on the "Advanced" button. There is a menu to tell Windows what to do after I change my display settings; I changed this menu from "Restart the computer..." to "Ask me before...". Then I clicked OK to go back to the display panel, and OK again to close the window and save the change. After making that change and saving it, then I re-opened display settings, and changed my resolution to 1024x768. I clicked OK, Windows asked if I wanted to make the change, I said yes, and the problem was solved.

Well, my problem was solved. Whatever bug lurks deep inside Windows, promising to change settings upon restart and then changing back immediately after logon, is still out there.

i think this is a windows bug not related to drivers

look at this link on the microsoft site:


http://support.microsoft.com/kb/281565

It does explain that the resolution is NOT a user spacific setting, and therefor your issue is more than likely a driver issue. It also could be an issue not with your video card driver, but your monitor driver. If windows thinks your monitor only supports a certian resolution, but yet the video card allows a higher resolution, The video card may let you change it to that higher resolution, untill after a reboot.

The windows login screen is a lower resolution than you desktop resolution. Windows doesn't even refference the monitor's supported resolution untill after it gets logged in. If you resolution is higher than what it thinks the monitor supports, then it will automatically change it to what your monitor supports.

Hope this helps.