Microsoft KB Archive/939805

= The logon screen is not available after you remove a second monitor when Windows Vista is asleep or in hibernation =

Article ID: 939805

Article Last Modified on 9/6/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Starter
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Ultimate

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SYMPTOMS
Consider the following scenarios:
 * An additional monitor is connected to a Windows Vista-based desktop computer. The additional monitor is designated as the primary display (the main monitor). The computer goes into hibernation or goes to sleep. This additional monitor is disconnected. The computer resumes from sleep or from hibernation.
 * An external monitor is connected to a portable Windows Vista-based computer. The additional monitor is designated as the primary display (the main monitor). The built-in screen is designated as the secondary display. The computer goes into hibernation or goes to sleep. This external monitor is disconnected. The computer resumes from sleep or from hibernation.

In these scenarios, you cannot see the logon screen. Therefore, you cannot log on to the computer.



CAUSE
This issue occurs because the primary monitor is removed from the computer when the operating system is inactive. The logon screen ordinarily appears on the primary monitor. Therefore, the logon screen is not viewable.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, it is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix may 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 immediately, contact Microsoft Customer Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

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

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

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.

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions


WORKAROUND
To work around this issue, use the following methods in the order that they are presented.

Method 1
Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, type your password, and then press ENTER. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 2
If Method 1 does not work, type your password, and then press ENTER. Do not press CTRL+ALT+DELETE first. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 3
If Method 1 and Method 2 do not work, reconnect the second monitor, and then log on. Turn off the computer, disconnect the monitor, and then start the computer. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 4
Use Method 4 if the previous methods do not work and a second monitor is not available. Turn off the computer, and then restart the computer. In some cases, you may have to press and hold the power button for five seconds or longer to turn off the computer. Start the computer. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.



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
We do not recommend that you remove devices from the computer while the computer is asleep or is in hibernation. Instead, remove devices when the computer is off or is in a fully running state.

For more information about how to set up multiple monitors, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/90b6964d-2673-40e5-9fdf-6edad3916af31033.mspx

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: kbtshoot kbbug kbfix kbqfe kbprb kbexpertiseinter kbhotfixserver kbwinvistapostrtmfix KB939805

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