VMware multiple monitors issue

wditters · 01-30-2013, 09:00 AM

Scenario:
Thinkpad X1 Carbon with Intel HD 4000
2 x Lenovo L2440p via DVI on Lenovo USB 3.0 Dock in 1920x1200
(Thinkpad display disabled)
Windows 7 Enterprise X64
Vmware Workstation 9.0 running WXP
Displaylink software 7.1 M0 running on W7 host
Actual multiple monitors 5.03 running on W7 host

Issue:
When selecting Cycle Multiple Monitors in VMWare the second virtual display is overlapping the first vitual display on one monitor rather than using the second monitor.

How can I make sure that both virtual displays each end up being displayed on their own physical screen?

wditters · 02-12-2013, 07:23 AM

Anyone any suggestions?

wditters · 05-31-2013, 07:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by wditters

Anyone any suggestions?

Any news? I really would like to be able to let my VM use both displays.

tinkererguy · 07-11-2014, 07:57 PM

In VMware Workstation 10.0.3, things got better, I'm using my 3 monitors under Windows 8.1 64 bit to successfully to run a 64 Windows 7 VM, on all three of my displays, for many dozens of hours per week:
http://TinkerTry.com/enjoy-windows-8-on-lenovo-thinkpad-w520-with-3-external-monitors/

Because the USB 3.0 connected 3rd monitor wakes up after Windows (or after Windows boots), it can be slow for the VM to go back and do triple monitors, when coming out of laptop suspend. I get around this by forcing the VM to have 3 monitors, pictured

I'm playing with VMware Workstation 11 beta (called VMware Workstation Technology Preview 2014) now, and it does claim to have better GPU and video memory support, that may help me, given I'm pushing 7.8 million pixels around, times 2 (Windows 8.1 triple screens, and Windows 7 VM triple fullscreens). We'll see! I really do wish Windows natively could remember all my window positions, even when using a DisplayLink Dock like my Lenovo USB 3.0 Dock:
http://TinkerTry.com/usb3docksuperguide/

Whenever I resume from suspend, it briefly has 2 monitors only, so all windows reshuffled off 3rd monitor. Very annoying, over the years, but I understand Windows 8.1 itself is merely trying to avoid orphaned Windows on some "phantom" screen that isn't currently visible. It seems like a tweak to keep Windows from reshuffling windows so quickly after resume could fix this annoyance.

Wrote a brief tip on getting decent performance on the beta here:
http://TinkerTry.com/how-to-disable-debug-mode-in-vmware-workstation-technology-preview-2014-for-a-serious-speed-boost/

tinkererguy · 07-11-2014, 08:05 PM

Also interesting that there are known issues with VMware Workstation (Mac version) mentioned here:
http://www.win-star.com/eshop/article.php?id=15

"VMWare issues with DisplayLink Driver (4200211)

Symptom:

When switching between a VMWare operating system and Mac OS X, the DisplayLink display continues to show the VMWare operating system."

01-30-2013, 09:00 AM	#1
wditters Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 13	VMware multiple monitors issue Scenario: Thinkpad X1 Carbon with Intel HD 4000 2 x Lenovo L2440p via DVI on Lenovo USB 3.0 Dock in 1920x1200 (Thinkpad display disabled) Windows 7 Enterprise X64 Vmware Workstation 9.0 running WXP Displaylink software 7.1 M0 running on W7 host Actual multiple monitors 5.03 running on W7 host Issue: When selecting Cycle Multiple Monitors in VMWare the second virtual display is overlapping the first vitual display on one monitor rather than using the second monitor. How can I make sure that both virtual displays each end up being displayed on their own physical screen? Last edited by wditters; 02-12-2013 at 07:23 AM.

07-11-2014, 07:57 PM	#4
tinkererguy Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 33	In VMware Workstation 10.0.3, things got better, I'm using my 3 monitors under Windows 8.1 64 bit to successfully to run a 64 Windows 7 VM, on all three of my displays, for many dozens of hours per week: http://TinkerTry.com/enjoy-windows-8-on-lenovo-thinkpad-w520-with-3-external-monitors/ Because the USB 3.0 connected 3rd monitor wakes up after Windows (or after Windows boots), it can be slow for the VM to go back and do triple monitors, when coming out of laptop suspend. I get around this by forcing the VM to have 3 monitors, pictured I'm playing with VMware Workstation 11 beta (called VMware Workstation Technology Preview 2014) now, and it does claim to have better GPU and video memory support, that may help me, given I'm pushing 7.8 million pixels around, times 2 (Windows 8.1 triple screens, and Windows 7 VM triple fullscreens). We'll see! I really do wish Windows natively could remember all my window positions, even when using a DisplayLink Dock like my Lenovo USB 3.0 Dock: http://TinkerTry.com/usb3docksuperguide/ Whenever I resume from suspend, it briefly has 2 monitors only, so all windows reshuffled off 3rd monitor. Very annoying, over the years, but I understand Windows 8.1 itself is merely trying to avoid orphaned Windows on some "phantom" screen that isn't currently visible. It seems like a tweak to keep Windows from reshuffling windows so quickly after resume could fix this annoyance. Wrote a brief tip on getting decent performance on the beta here: http://TinkerTry.com/how-to-disable-debug-mode-in-vmware-workstation-technology-preview-2014-for-a-serious-speed-boost/ Last edited by tinkererguy; 07-11-2014 at 08:04 PM.

02-12-2013, 07:23 AM	#2
wditters Junior Member Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 13	Anyone any suggestions?

07-11-2014, 08:05 PM	#5
tinkererguy Member Join Date: Jul 2012 Posts: 33	Also interesting that there are known issues with VMware Workstation (Mac version) mentioned here: http://www.win-star.com/eshop/article.php?id=15 "VMWare issues with DisplayLink Driver (4200211) Symptom: When switching between a VMWare operating system and Mac OS X, the DisplayLink display continues to show the VMWare operating system."