Microsoft KB Archive/937930

= You may be unable to switch between displays on a portable computer that is running Windows XP =

Article ID: 937930

Article Last Modified on 8/29/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
 * Microsoft Windows XP Professional

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SYMPTOMS
On a portable computer that is running Microsoft Windows XP, you may be unable to switch between displays. For example, assume that the computer uses the Fn+F8 keyboard shortcut to switch between the computer's built-in display and an external monitor. When you press Fn+F8, the operation to switch between displays may not occur as expected.

Note Fn is the Function key, and it typically appears near the CTRL key on a portable-computer keyboard.

This problem may occur only occasionally. This problem is timing-specific, and it occurs only when you try to switch displays very soon after you connect an external display. For example, if you connect an external display, and then you wait for a full minute before you try to switch displays, this problem does not occur.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because of a bug in the video port driver (Videoprt.sys).



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.



STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



MORE INFORMATION
For more information about how hotfix packages are named, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

816915 New file naming schema for Microsoft Windows software update packages

For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

824684 Description of the standard terminology that is used to describe Microsoft software updates

Keywords: kbwinxppresp3fix kbbug kbfix kbexpertiseinter kbqfe kbhotfixserver KB937930

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