Screen Resolution switches from 1920x1080 to 1680x1050 after every restart.

[Buffalo]

First, thank you all for persevering for a fix to my strange problem!

No, it never sticks. I have manually set the resolution to 1920x1080
in everything I can find and it still goes back to 1680x1050 after
every restart. The display setting starts at 1920x1080 for about three
seconds, then switches to the lower resolution as the desktop loads. I
tried manually setting the resolution to 1768x992 (in between
1920x1080 and 1680x1050) but it switches back to 1680x1050.

Thanx Ed

Wanda

So, it sounds like if you do it manually, it stays until you reboot. Is that
correct?
When you uninstalled and reinstalled the Nvidia drivers, did you also choose
the option to delete your Nvidia provile?
I would go online and research a free driver removal program and then use it
to get rid of all the video drivers in your machine (perhaps there are even
some old ATI drivers on there). After dl'ing and installing such a program
and making sure you have the new Nvidia drivers somewhere you can find them,
make a restore point. Use Add-Remove to uninstall the old nvidia drivers,
reboot into Safe Mode, use the new driver removal program you installed and
use it according to its directions.
It sure seems that an old remnant is still in your system.
Have you searched your registry and computer for all references to Nvidia
after you uninstalled the drivers?

Here is a link to a rather complicated way to do it manually.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1150443/how-to-remove-your-nvidia-gpu-drivers

Hopefully you will get it solved.
Buffalo

 

[Char Jackson]

No, it never sticks. I have manually set the resolution to 1920x1080
in everything I can find and it still goes back to 1680x1050 after
every restart. The display setting starts at 1920x1080 for about three
seconds, then switches to the lower resolution as the desktop loads. I
tried manually setting the resolution to 1768x992 (in between
1920x1080 and 1680x1050) but it switches back to 1680x1050.

If a problem like this came into my shop and I had this much history
on it, I would remove the system drive and set it away for safe
keeping, then I would temp install a new drive and set Windows up from
scratch. If it works as it should, your hardware is fine and the
problem is with your specific Windows installation.

I'm guessing that some program or some bit of malware has been
introduced to your system that's causing this, but I have no clue what
it might be. There comes a time, though, when flattening and
rebuilding becomes the best choice.

 

[Buffalo]

First, thank you all for persevering for a fix to my strange problem!

No, it never sticks. I have manually set the resolution to 1920x1080
in everything I can find and it still goes back to 1680x1050 after
every restart. The display setting starts at 1920x1080 for about three
seconds, then switches to the lower resolution as the desktop loads. I
tried manually setting the resolution to 1768x992 (in between
1920x1080 and 1680x1050) but it switches back to 1680x1050.

Thanx Ed

Wanda

Saw something on the net that stated that if you were not the Admin and
logged in as such, the display could change to what the Admin has it set for
and would change to that resolution when the User used it.
So. since this is easy to try, boot up as the Admin and then try to change
the resolution as Admin and see if it now works.
Bandaid approach, but might be worth trying since it is quick and easy.
Buffalo

 

[Buffalo]

First, thank you all for persevering for a fix to my strange problem!

No, it never sticks. I have manually set the resolution to 1920x1080
in everything I can find and it still goes back to 1680x1050 after
every restart. The display setting starts at 1920x1080 for about three
seconds, then switches to the lower resolution as the desktop loads. I
tried manually setting the resolution to 1768x992 (in between
1920x1080 and 1680x1050) but it switches back to 1680x1050.

Thanx Ed

Wanda

If you go here you might get some ideas on how to solve it:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/29733-45-user-screen-resolution-resets-itself
Buffalo

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

Device Manager -- View -- Show hidden devices

The above might reveal some things that you aren't seeing. I would try
it in regular and in safe mode.

Again, thanx for the input! I already searched through my Device
Manager for hidden devices but never in Safe mode. I did that this
morning but I didn't find anything weird in Safe mode either.

I'm uninstalling things one at a time to see whether or not a program
I installed might be the culprit.

Thanx Again!

Wanda

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Again, thanx for the input! I already searched through my Device
Manager for hidden devices but never in Safe mode. I did that this
morning but I didn't find anything weird in Safe mode either.

I'm uninstalling things one at a time to see whether or not a program
I installed might be the culprit.

Thanx Again!

Wanda

Well, I do have to admit that the above method has almost never worked
for me in Windows 7

 

[KCB]

Again, thanx for the input! I already searched through my Device
Manager for hidden devices but never in Safe mode. I did that this
morning but I didn't find anything weird in Safe mode either.

I'm uninstalling things one at a time to see whether or not a program
I installed might be the culprit.

Thanx Again!

Wanda

Not sure if you've looked through the registry, but I found these three keys
that list max monitor resolutions, along with associated .inf files. Maybe
yours is listed incorrectly. After looking through the various sub-keys, I
see my previous monitor is still listed here, along with current monitor and
some generic PNP stuff.

You know, of course, that changing any entries could cause untold harm to
your computer, and possibly even re-boot the universe. The risk is entirely
up to you. Here are the keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

 

[Rob]

Why bother

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

Not sure if you've looked through the registry, but I found these three keys
that list max monitor resolutions, along with associated .inf files. Maybe
yours is listed incorrectly. After looking through the various sub-keys, I
see my previous monitor is still listed here, along with current monitor and
some generic PNP stuff.

You know, of course, that changing any entries could cause untold harm to
your computer, and possibly even re-boot the universe. The risk is entirely
up to you. Here are the keys:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet001\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\ControlSet002\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E96E-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318}

Yes I did. In fact I searched my registry for the MaxResolution value
and found it in maybe 20 different places. I changed every key to
1920,1080 and VIOLA! It didn't help. I also searched for:

1680
1050
1680x1050
1680,1050
1680_1050
1680 1050
in addition to their HEX values (690 & 41A)

and changed every occurance to 1920 (780 HEX) &/or 1080 (438)

Still didn't help.

Thanx for the input!

Wanda

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

Why bother

Why not? Do you know something that I don't know?

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

Have a look at the logical steps in what is happening when you boot the
computer - its ok - then it changes resolution.

This can only happen when there is an auto loading line in the Auto
Start menu.

Correcting or deleting this line manually is through the registry. So if
they know where to look then go ahead. But the Auto runs is not helping
as the line has been placed there by a third party programme. Its this
line that must be removed.

Enough said.!

Rob,

I definitely follow your logic. But, I have removed all startup
programs from my startup folder and the problem still occurred. Also,
I have unchecked every program listed under 'msconfig'. Is there some
other place to look for programs that run on startup? What about
'services'?

Thanx

Wanda

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

So, it sounds like if you do it manually, it stays until you reboot. Is that
correct?

Yes is stays.

When you uninstalled and reinstalled the Nvidia drivers, did you also choose
the option to delete your Nvidia provile?

Yes I did - also told it to completely remove the old driver files.

I would go online and research a free driver removal program and then use it
to get rid of all the video drivers in your machine (perhaps there are even
some old ATI drivers on there). After dl'ing and installing such a program
and making sure you have the new Nvidia drivers somewhere you can find them,
make a restore point. Use Add-Remove to uninstall the old nvidia drivers,
reboot into Safe Mode, use the new driver removal program you installed and
use it according to its directions.
It sure seems that an old remnant is still in your system.
Have you searched your registry and computer for all references to Nvidia
after you uninstalled the drivers?

Here is a link to a rather complicated way to do it manually.

http://www.overclock.net/t/1150443/how-to-remove-your-nvidia-gpu-drivers

Hopefully you will get it solved.
Buffalo

I used an nVidia driver uninstaller from Tom's Hardware to get rid of
everything nVidia left after I uninstalled/updated their drivers. No
luck...


Thanx!

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

Make sure the refresh rate is correct. If it is an LCD monitor, try 60Hz.

It is 60hz - I have tried 59 too.

Did you change your connection to your monitor to a HDMI cable?
On my system, if I use a DVI connection I can get more fullscreen
resolutions than I can if I use a HDMI cable. Supposedly they both carry the
same signal, but on my desktop setup, there is a difference in the number
of resolutions for my widescreen 27" LCD monitor.
Whoops, just read your original post and see that you did try different
cables.
There are some free programs that will get rid of all nvidia driver
remnants, if you search for them. Many times Safe Mode works best when
using those tools.
Buffalo

I am downloading free cleaning tools now - I really HATE to use any
tool that fools with my registry or does automatic cleanups safely -
they are NOT SAFE!

Thanks

Wanda

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

If you go here you might get some ideas on how to solve it:
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/29733-45-user-screen-resolution-resets-itself
Buffalo

Thank you for the links. I have searched Tom's but did not see this
thread.

Wanda

 

[Wanda X. Starr]

If a problem like this came into my shop and I had this much history
on it, I would remove the system drive and set it away for safe
keeping, then I would temp install a new drive and set Windows up from
scratch. If it works as it should, your hardware is fine and the
problem is with your specific Windows installation.

I'm pretty sure this would fix it - I have tried the monitor on a
different computer (using the same nVidia video card and drivers) and
the 1920x1080 resolution holds fine. Also, when I first installed the
new monitor it worked fine. I don't turn off my computer -ever- so it
probably ran for at least a two or three weeks before I noticed the
'resolution drop after reboot' thingy happening.

I'm guessing that some program or some bit of malware has been
introduced to your system that's causing this, but I have no clue what
it might be. There comes a time, though, when flattening and
rebuilding becomes the best choice.

Definitely not Malware - I run Malwarebytes AntiMalware (Pro), NIS
2013 and have done the on-line malware scans. I don't enjoy
rebuilding. It takes me weeks to get my computer back to doing,
looking and acting right.

BTW - do you know of any program that would sit in the background
during a boot and allow me to 'press space' or whatever key to skip
/interrupt each time a new process or program or service is about to
load?? I remember we had tools like this back in the days of DOS but I
cannot find anything that does this for Win7.

The reason this would be nice is that when my desktop first appears
after a reboot (no icons yet, just the wallpaper), it is at 1920x1080
resolution. Then the screen blanks out for 2-3 seconds (before icons
appear) and comes back at 1680x1050. If I could control each thing
that happens during a bootup, this would be an extremely easy problem
to solve. Maybe an idea for a new utility?

Thanx!

Wanda

 

[Ken1943]

What model nividia card do you have ?
More important who manufactured the card.
Did you go to their web site to look for help.

I was reading that the resolution of your setting is listed as ultra high
definition. So that may have something to do with it.


KenW

 

[Ken1943]

What model nividia card do you have ?
More important who manufactured the card.
Did you go to their web site to look for help.

I was reading that the resolution of your setting is listed as ultra high
definition. So that may have something to do with it.


KenW

The other thing is the monitor. It's been a long time, but usually when
you install drivers, like monitors, there usually is an option to list
all compatible devices. Maybe there is something in that list that points
to different monitor models.
I know that is what there was with my ViewSonic monitor.


KenW

 

[Buffalo]

It is 60hz - I have tried 59 too.


I am downloading free cleaning tools now - I really HATE to use any
tool that fools with my registry or does automatic cleanups safely -
they are NOT SAFE!

Thanks

Wanda

I agree, it sounds more like an OS problem.
In one of the links, it stated that the Admin setting of the resolution may
over ride the User resolution setting after a reboot.
So, I guess you can easily check by logging on as the Admin and setting the
resolution again to see if it now holds.
Why it would take preference, I don't know.
Best of Luck,
Buffalo

 

[James]

I'm pretty sure this would fix it - I have tried the monitor on a
different computer (using the same nVidia video card and drivers) and
the 1920x1080 resolution holds fine. Also, when I first installed the
new monitor it worked fine. I don't turn off my computer -ever- so it
probably ran for at least a two or three weeks before I noticed the
'resolution drop after reboot' thingy happening.

<snip>

Since your monitor worked with an identical (call it the OPs) nVidia
setup, have you tried using the OPs nVidia card in your computer?

I am sure this is way out there, but have you tried your video card in
another slot? Maybe one of the connectors isn't tight enough.(?)

 

[Gene E. Bloch]

Rob,

I definitely follow your logic. But, I have removed all startup
programs from my startup folder and the problem still occurred. Also,
I have unchecked every program listed under 'msconfig'. Is there some
other place to look for programs that run on startup? What about
'services'?

Thanx

Wanda

Somehere on Microsoft's site is AutoRuns. It will show you everything
that starts up with Windows. You might find the list intimidating...I
surely do.

It also lets you uncheck and even delete entries, which requires a
modicum of caution

The main site for the set of stuff is
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-US/sysinternals

The Process Utilities page at

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb795533

has a link to AutoRuns, inter alia.