I have a Dell monitor that measures 17 1/2" W x 10 1/2" H. The computer is a Dell laptop in a docking station. Normally, the display is full screen. After short period on non-use ( a few minutes but I haven’t timed it) the display shrinks to 13 1/2" x 8 1/2". If I click on the minimize box it shrinks it further. Another click returns it to full screen. I don’t recall changing any settings and don’t know how to stop it from doing this. Windows XP Professional. Ideas?
Oops. Wndows 7 Professional.
My first guess would be the power settings for one of the screens. The screen on the laptop is turning off, so the computer thinks is only has one screen, and applies a different resolution to one screen than for two.
If I’m right, then the solution isn’t too bad. Hook your computer up to the dock. Then type “power settings” or similar into the Start Menu, then open “Change power-saving settings.” Plugging into the dock will probably mean you’re on the High performance profile. Click on “Change Plan settings” and set “Turn off Display” to Never.
If that’s not sufficient, you can try doing the same thing, but clicking “Change Advanced Power Settings” to open up list of settings, where you can look for anything else that might be turning off the power to the screen. (There might be more options since you are on a laptop.)
Hope that helps.