I want THIS over THERE

August 17, 2010 8:12 AM

Why won't my 17" Macbook Pro remember where I put windows when I connect my external monitor?

I have a 17" Macbook Pro. I use it as my work computer. When I sit down at my desk, I connect it to an external 21" Samsung monitor, and use the MBP alongside as my secondary monitor.

Before updating to Snow Leopard, when I plugged in my Samsung,my MBP would remember that I keep my email and chat windows on the MBP screen and everything else I put on the Samsung monitor. Windows would individually "remember" where they belonged.

After I updated to Snow Leopard, when I plug in the Samsung, everything appears on the Samsung and I have to drag my email and chat windows over to the MBP screen. It's like they disabled something in the multiple monitor functionality.

I've been living with it, since it really only affects me at the beginning of the day when I first plug in, but I thought I'd consult the hive mind to see if anyone can shed any light on this or offer solutions.

posted by Fleebnork to computers & internet (7 answers total)

Previously
posted by nitsuj at 8:32 AM on August 17, 2010

I asked the "Previously" question, and since then have learned about Breeze. You might want to check it out.
posted by bjork24 at 8:55 AM on August 17, 2010

Thanks. When I searched for "multiple monitors" the Previously thread didn't show up. :\
posted by Fleebnork at 10:13 AM on August 17, 2010

Ok, Breeze doesn't actually do what I want. It only saves window states, but does not save them across multiple monitors. It only applies the window state to the monitor the window is currently in, so I'd still have to drag all my windows to the appropriate monitors.
posted by Fleebnork at 10:25 AM on August 17, 2010

None of the solutions in the Previously thread work for me either. Trying to muddle through scripting gives me a headache. Thanks for your suggestions.
posted by Fleebnork at 10:28 AM on August 17, 2010

There is a new application called Stay that remembers window positions when you plug or unplug a display. I haven't tried it out yet because I generally just shut my laptop, but it looks promising. Also, you have a main and a secondary monitor which you can change by opening up Displays in System Preferences, click on the Arrangement tab and then drag the menubar to the other monitor. That would let you set the laptop as the main display, and it should remember your preference.
posted by ridogi at 12:38 PM on August 17, 2010

THANK YOU!

Stay works, and automatically detects and restores window placement when you plug in a monitor!
posted by Fleebnork at 1:05 PM on August 17, 2010