Vista: Managing Power Settings for Multiple Monitors
May 13, 2009 1:07 PM Subscribe
Multiple-Monitor Filter: In Vista, I am trying to figure out a software-based solution for turning off or blacking out just one monitor (Dell 2405FPW) in a multiple-monitor arrangement. I can't use the power button on the front of the Dell because doing so also cuts power to the USB hub built into the monitor. Details inside.
I have two monitors in the same room, a dell 24-inch 2405FPW with a built in USB Hub and a Plasma TV. When I use the Plasma TV, I would like to be able to make it as dark as possible in the room, including turning off the Dell. The problem is that turning off the Dell with the front power button also cuts power to the built in USB panel, which I have keyboard/mouse plugged into (the actual PC is far away) and is necessary to be left on.
Vista's own screen saver Power Settings area has a setting called "turn off the display" which allows you to set the number of minutes of inactivity before Vista turns off your displays. This would be great (experimentation confirmed that the Dell's USB power continues to flow) and works fine when I sleep or leave, except that it applies to all monitors at the same time. So, ideally I need something that can trigger the same or a similar software command, but only to one monitor.
I am using an NVIDIA 9600gt in case that matters, and I looked in the NVIDIA control panel but didn't see anything helpful.
Alternatively, software that blacks out the monitor (without turning it off) might also be sufficient, though less ideal. I tried creating a large, all black JPG and opening it up a picture viewer, but a lot of the screen was still non-black; perhaps there is a different viewer with a good fullscreen mode?
Thanks.
I have two monitors in the same room, a dell 24-inch 2405FPW with a built in USB Hub and a Plasma TV. When I use the Plasma TV, I would like to be able to make it as dark as possible in the room, including turning off the Dell. The problem is that turning off the Dell with the front power button also cuts power to the built in USB panel, which I have keyboard/mouse plugged into (the actual PC is far away) and is necessary to be left on.
Vista's own screen saver Power Settings area has a setting called "turn off the display" which allows you to set the number of minutes of inactivity before Vista turns off your displays. This would be great (experimentation confirmed that the Dell's USB power continues to flow) and works fine when I sleep or leave, except that it applies to all monitors at the same time. So, ideally I need something that can trigger the same or a similar software command, but only to one monitor.
I am using an NVIDIA 9600gt in case that matters, and I looked in the NVIDIA control panel but didn't see anything helpful.
Alternatively, software that blacks out the monitor (without turning it off) might also be sufficient, though less ideal. I tried creating a large, all black JPG and opening it up a picture viewer, but a lot of the screen was still non-black; perhaps there is a different viewer with a good fullscreen mode?
Thanks.
Best answer: Switch to a different output on your LCD monitor. You'll get a no input detected for a few seconds and then it should go to sleep.
Displaying a black screen won't do much as the backlight is still on (and LCDs are pretty crappy at displaying blacks).
posted by wongcorgi at 1:26 PM on May 13, 2009
Displaying a black screen won't do much as the backlight is still on (and LCDs are pretty crappy at displaying blacks).
posted by wongcorgi at 1:26 PM on May 13, 2009
Response by poster: The NVIDIA tip technically works but it takes several seconds and screws up all my icons, since the Dell is the primary monitor.
Wongcorgi's changing input tip is simple and works great though. Thanks!
posted by jameslavelle3 at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2009
Wongcorgi's changing input tip is simple and works great though. Thanks!
posted by jameslavelle3 at 1:37 PM on May 13, 2009
wongcorgi, your solution is simple and elegant -- nicely done. I'm filing that away in the section of my brain that holds odd bits of near-useless information that I can pull out somewhere down the road. Funny how that part of my brain holds on to information so much more effectively than the other parts...
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 1:57 PM on May 13, 2009
The input switch solution sounds great for this use.
For more general functionality, I love UltraMon, which adds quick disable secondary, plus all sorts of other great functionality -- remembering window positions for different configurations, putting items on the taskbar for the monitor they are actually on, separate wallpaper, screensavers, etc, etc. Indispensable for a laptop that gets docked (with second monitor) and undocked all the time. Was well worth the $40.
posted by SpookyFish at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2009
For more general functionality, I love UltraMon, which adds quick disable secondary, plus all sorts of other great functionality -- remembering window positions for different configurations, putting items on the taskbar for the monitor they are actually on, separate wallpaper, screensavers, etc, etc. Indispensable for a laptop that gets docked (with second monitor) and undocked all the time. Was well worth the $40.
posted by SpookyFish at 2:18 PM on May 13, 2009
Why not get a stand-alone USB hub, and stop using the one built into the monitor?
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:09 PM on May 13, 2009
posted by Chocolate Pickle at 3:09 PM on May 13, 2009
This thread is closed to new comments.
On the first option ("Choose the nView display mode to use") choose "Configured independently" when you want both monitors on. Set the next options accordingly.
Go back to the first option and choose "Only use one display" when you want to just use one monitor.
That's my 30-second peek at it... it may vary based on driver version, etc.
posted by ElDiabloConQueso at 1:16 PM on May 13, 2009