Registry setting for "Extending desktop onto 2nd monitor" 2

[sfatz]

I use a laptop, that when in the docking station, is hooked to a second monitor (I have to work with CAD drawings as part of the job). I occasionally undock the laptop for meetings around the office (we're wireless). When I re-dock, I have to re-extend the desktop to the second monitor. To do this I have to bring up the "Display Properties" dialog box, click on the Settings tab, click on the monitor icon, click on the "Extend my Windows Destop onto this Monitor" checkbox, and then save and close the dialog.

This setting must be saved in the registry somewhere. I want to create a VB-applet that will toggle this setting for me automatically.

Can anyone tell me where to find this registry setting? Also, do you know of any issues with changing this setting with a VB app?

Thank you in advance for the help and advice.

 

[madonnac]

Here are the registry settings that get modified:

[HKEY_CURRENT_CONFIG\System\CurrentControlSet\CONTROL\VIDEO\< Second Adapter ID Here>\0000]
"Attach.ToDesktop"=dword:00000001
"DefaultSettings.BitsPerPel"=dword:00000020
"DefaultSettings.XResolution"=dword:00000320
"DefaultSettings.YResolution"=dword:00000258
"DefaultSettings.VRefresh"=dword:0000003c
"DefaultSettings.Flags"=dword:00000000
"DefaultSettings.XPanning"=dword:00000000
"DefaultSettings.YPanning"=dword:00000000
"DefaultSettings.Orientation"=dword:00000000
"DefaultSettings.FixedOutput"=dword:00000000
"Attach.RelativeX"=dword:00000000
"Attach.RelativeY"=dword:00000000

Unfortunately, <Second Adapter ID Here> changes on a PnP system. You may need to delv into a little code.

API: ChangeDisplaySettingsEx

The API:

http://msdn.microsoft.com/library/en-us/gdi/devcons_3tfc.asp

Try something like this:

http://www.codeguru.com/forum/printthread.php?t=309231

[/url]Or%20grab%20the%20code%20from%20this%20KB:http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308216

 

[bcastner]

There are settings in the registry unique to each display adapter driver.

Why not simply automate what is now a manual task?
See:

http://www.autohotkey.com/

 

[bcastner]

There is a terrific utility for managing multiple monitor setups:

UltraMon:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/ultramon/

 

[sfatz]

Thanks for the responses. Between them, I should be able to create what I'm looking for.
Thanks again.