Scaling (DPI) of Windows 8 Desktop changes

Diewas

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Hey.

My "Change the size of all items" is set to smaller. This makes everything appear fine. However whenever I restart the PC, or turn on the PC, all of the desktop programs and cursor are incorrect (ie. everything bigger than it should be) on my left hand monitor. Changing the main display, or changing the resolution back and fro fixes the problem, but gets annoying after a while. Any ideas?

Regards,

Alex
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 - 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 ~ 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 560Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DGX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1TB HDD
    60GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    8MB
    Browser
    Chrome
What if you switched the Monitors, what do you have in the other Monitor, the Start Screen? Can you switch positions?

How are they plugged in, is this SLI or connections on the same Video card... HDMI. SVGA or Component?
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
I can get the start screen on both, it does not affect metro, just desktop stuff. Both monitors are plugged in to one graphics card, via HDMI. The problem was not there on Windows 7 or 8. Since installing 8.1 I've had to reduce the DPI scaling of both the desktop and metro items on the left monitor to display things correctly.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 - 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 ~ 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 560Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DGX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1TB HDD
    60GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    8MB
    Browser
    Chrome
So it only happens on 8.1? I would switch back to 8.

I know what it is, 8.1 has an Automatic Scaling vector added, and this supersedes what you set. It's made to keep the scaling the same for whatever Monitor you plug in.

I'll have to see how to shut off the Automatic Scaling in 8.1.

Read this tutorial and see if it shows you how to deal with it:

http://www.eightforums.com/tutorials/28310-dpi-scaling-size-change-displays-windows-8-1-a.html

This article tells you HOW to disable it:

How DPI Scaling works in Windows 8.1 | Ghacks


Click the Box that says "Let me choose the scaling level for all displays" - Try that and see what happens.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Tried that. Same problem:

screen.png

Seems to only be the cursor and actual desktop programs though. Explorer windows are fine.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 - 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 ~ 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 560Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DGX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1TB HDD
    60GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    8MB
    Browser
    Chrome
Well, it's still caused by this Automatic Scaling feature. I'll ask Shawn for other ways it can be disabled.

You are checking "Let Me Choose" the scaling level for all displays? Maybe the Scal;ing that it is snapping to is what Windows 8 detects as the best Visibility for the Desktop in connection to how Start Screen looks. Maybe "Let Me Choose For all" MEANS for all- What you need are individual settings for each Monitor.

Since I don't have 8.1 yet, I have asked for some help, I won't be able to dissect this problem until I can get a new DVD Drive for my Test machine and install 8.1.

So if anyone else knows about this so called "Boon" please jump in!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Weird. Seems to have worked on this boot up - it didn't last boot. Will be interesting to see if it maintains the correct DPI. I'll get back to you.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 - 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 ~ 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 560Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DGX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1TB HDD
    60GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    8MB
    Browser
    Chrome
Sometimes it takes a reboot to set a change like that, keep your eyes on it and post back if it starts up again.
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
Seems to be on random boot ups. Turned back on for approx the 4th time since it last happened, and it's messed up again. Really confusing as to why it does this!
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro X64
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Custom
    CPU
    AMD FX 8350 - 8 Core
    Motherboard
    Asus M5A99X EVO
    Memory
    16GB DDR3 ~ 1600MHZ
    Graphics Card(s)
    Nvidia Geforce 560Ti
    Sound Card
    Asus Xonar DGX
    Monitor(s) Displays
    2 X 24"
    Screen Resolution
    1920 X 1080
    Hard Drives
    2 X 1TB HDD
    60GB SSD
    PSU
    Corsair 600W
    Case
    NZXT Phantom
    Cooling
    Standard
    Keyboard
    Corsair Gaming Keyboard
    Mouse
    Logitech
    Internet Speed
    8MB
    Browser
    Chrome
Me too, someone else had the same problem I told him to shut off the Automatic Scaling and it worked. Maybe it's just a finicky Video Card and Monitor. Make sure you are not running any Beta Video Drivers, especially nVidia.

Try doing an "SFC /SCANNOW" from admin command prompt (Hit windows key + X).
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8 Pro with Media Center/Windows 7
    Computer type
    PC/Desktop
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus § DualCore AMD Athlon 64 X2, 2300 MHz (11.5 x 200) 4400+ § Corsair Value Select
    CPU
    AMD 4400+/4200+
    Motherboard
    Asus M2N-MX SE Plus/Asus A8M2N-LA (NodusM)
    Memory
    2 GB/3GB
    Graphics Card(s)
    GeForce 8400 GS/GeForce 210
    Sound Card
    nVIDIA GT218 - High Definition Audio Controller
    Monitor(s) Displays
    Hitachi 40" LCD HDTV
    Screen Resolution
    "1842 x 1036"
    Hard Drives
    WDC WD50 00AAKS-007AA SCSI Disk Device
    ST1000DL 002-9TT153 SCSI Disk Device
    WDC WD3200AAJB-00J3A0 ATA Device
    WDC WD32 WD-WCAPZ2942630 USB Device
    WD My Book 1140 USB Device
    PSU
    Works 550w
    Case
    MSI "M-Box"
    Cooling
    Water Cooled
    Keyboard
    Dell Keyboard
    Mouse
    Microsoft Intellimouse
    Internet Speed
    Cable Medium Speed
    Browser
    Chrome/IE 10
    Antivirus
    Eset NOD32 6.x/Win Defend
    Other Info
    Recently lost my Windows 8 on my main PC, had to go back to Windows 7.
It's inheriting from one of two places

- the default user under HKU\.DEFAULT
- the current control set under HCC\System\CurrentControlSet

If you don't have Desktop under CCS then it's not that. That key only gets populated if there are changes floating.

If you reboot too quickly Windows doesn't get to finish its bootup tasks and thinks something went wrong. Do it 4 times in a row and you're sure to get back to the default settings.

Try again, slower. :)
 

My Computer

System One

  • OS
    Windows 8.1 Pro/Server 2012 R2 Datacenter
    System Manufacturer/Model
    Self-assembled
    CPU
    Core i7-920 @ 3.4 GHz
    Memory
    12 GB DDR3
    Hard Drives
    SSD RAID 0
    Mouse
    Razer Naga 2012
    Internet Speed
    100 Mbps
    Antivirus
    virustotal.com
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