Posts Tagged windows 7
Display output bug in Windows 7 RC
Posted by Steve Wylie in Presentation IT on June 5, 2009
I came across an interesting bug in Windows 7 RC this week, where a laptop running Win7 was being used for a live software demo. The laptop had been connected to a data projector in extended desktop mode, and worked fine. However, the laptop was then disconnected, moved to another location, and connected to a new projector.
At the new location, the vision switcher in line would acknowledge that the source was connected and syncing at the correct resolution, but could only see a black/blank screen. In Windows 7′s display settings dialog box, if you pressed ‘Identify Displays’, the system would show “1″ and “2″ number overlays next to each other on the laptop’s local monitor.
It seemed that Windows 7 had confused itself, and thought that both outputs were in fact showing on the one monitor. Confused? So was I. A restart resolved the issue, and I haven’t had time to try replicating it again. Hopefully these bugs will be ironed out before RTM.
Windows 7 Identify Displays Bug
Windows 7 display settings
Posted by Steve Wylie in Presentation IT on January 23, 2009
Microsoft has updated the display settings dialog box in Windows 7. It was previously passed on from Windows 95 through to Vista with little significant change. But the new version has a couple of tricks in store.
ATI Catalyst Control Center on Windows 7
To start with, I wasn’t able to install ATI Catalyst Control Center on my test machine with Windows 7 Beta Build 7000, because the graphics card, an ATI Radeon 7000 series, was too old. However, running the ATI installation software in compatibility mode worked successfully.
Windows 7: Screen Resolution
Another handy feature is the ability to choose to clone, extend, or disable a display from the ‘Multiple displays’ drop-down box, or by pressing Windows Key 
+ P (the shortcut key will only control two displays and is designed to help connect a projector).
Windows 7: Apply changes
Finally, Microsoft has addressed a long standing bug – in previous versions of Windows, you could enable extended desktop on a monitor, and choose a resolution, but when you clicked ‘Apply’, the new resolution would revert back to the default and you would need to choose it again. Now, once you choose to enable a currently disabled display, you are forced to press ‘Apply’ before you can start changing its settings.
New Display Projection function in Windows 7
Posted by Steve Wylie in Presentation IT on January 22, 2009
Finally, Microsoft has changed the way Windows detects and handles external monitors and display devices (including projectors).
In Windows 7, you will be able to press the Windows Key + P (or type ‘displayswitch’ in the ‘Start’ menu and press enter) in order to bring up a menu which includes the ability to display:
• only on the local monitor;
• only on the external monitor;
• have the same content on both the local and external; or
• have separate content on both (ideal for using PowerPoint Presenter View)
Windows 7: Display Projection
Configure presentation settings with Windows Mobility Center
Posted by Steve Wylie in Presentation IT on January 22, 2009
There are a number of changes you should make to your computer before your use it to give a presentation. These include changing your desktop wallpaper to something impersonal and inoffensive, disabling your screen-saver and power saving settings, and ensuring that your volume is either up (if you have sounds in your presentation) or down (to avoid any incidental sound effects from disrupting you). You’ll also want to disable pop-up notifications from Windows and third-party software.
As I’ve previously written, the best way to contain all of these settings is to either have a dedicated computer for presentations, or to create a separate user profile just for presentation settings.
However, Windows Vista and Windows 7 make configuring presentation settings easier.
Press the Windows Key + X, or type ‘Mobility’ from the start menu (and press enter) to launch the Windows Mobility Center.
Windows Mobility Center
From here, if you have not already done so, you can choose ‘Connect Display’ in order for your computer to detect an attached monitor, plasma screen, projector, or television, and configure it for use.
Once you have set up your display device, from the Windows Mobility Center, select ‘Turn On’ under the ‘Presentation Settings’ section in order to have Windows automatically change some of those all-important options as discussed above.
Presentation Settings