Win10 laptop w/laptop display (no others) labeled 2, can't change to 1

jfkjax · 26 Mar 2018

I've searched but can't find a thread that addresses this. If there is a distinct thread that addresses inability to change laptop display to display #1, please let me know.

Here's the problem:
1. Lenovo ThinkPad T500.
2. Windows 10, latest update.
3. Laptop has two display cards built-in.
3A. ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
3B. Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family
4. Only display is the laptop display (no other displays attached).
5. Display settings indicate laptop display is display #2.
6. Clicking Win+P shows Project display as "Second screen only."
7. If I switch to "PC Screen Only" in Project, then of course nothing displays on laptop display.
8. If I switch to "Show only on 1" in Display Settings, same thing - nothing on laptop display.
9. With blank screen when I've selected "PC Screen Only," or "Show only on 1", I then change to Display 2 to get display back on laptop display by blindly clicking Win+P, Down Arrow 3 times, Enter.

To me, this makes no sense. I have one display (laptop display) and would like to have it designated as Display 1 in display settings, and "PC Screen Only" in Project when I click Win+P.

This might be a simple thing, but I can't figure it out. Does anyone know how to get the designation corrected since there is only 1 display, the laptop display?

Thank you for your consideration.

alphanumeric · 27 Mar 2018

Factory installed drivers, or did you manually update or install your own? Always been like that? What happens if you connect another display?

Helmut · 27 Mar 2018

The hardware is about 10 years old, it maybe starting to go out of spec or failing.
Compatibility with Windows 10 could also be a problem.
https://support.amd.com/en-us/kb-art...er-Series.aspx
Has basic hardware servicing been done ?

You can go to the Device Manager > View > Show Hidden devices > Monitors > and go to all the monitors listed including anything greyed out and uninstall them all.
Then Restart and that should just install the one monitor (laptop display) correctly.

jfkjax · 27 Mar 2018

alphanumeric and Helmut, Thank you for your replies.

1. The drivers were installed when Windows 10 was installed. There was nothing on the laptop prior to installing Windows 10.
2. I don't have another display to try attaching as suggested.
3. Not sure if it's always been like this or not. I just started looking at the configuration settings a week or so ago.
4. To check hardware status, I've run a bunch of Lenovo tests and update checks. Nothing found.
5. I did the Device Manager suggestion. 2 PnP monitors listed ... clicked "Show Hidden devices" ... found 2 more PnP monitors for a total of 4 ... uninstalled all 4 ... restarted ... same situation. Results: Device Manager now only lists 2 PnP monitors total (no hidden monitors) even though the only monitor is the laptop built-in monitor, but no change on the designation of laptop monitor being number "2" monitor.

Thanks for your help and suggestions. Not sure why it is like this. Might be something like Win10 compatibility, old hardware, or similar.

I've taken enough of your time on this. I can live with it as it is. Might decide to upgrade to a new and current laptop, or just proceed as is. Anyway, your responses are greatly appreciated!

alphanumeric · 28 Mar 2018

I personally don't know of any way to change that number from Windows. There is no setting option for it in Windows. I run triple monitors on my desktop, and dual on my laptop.

On my desktop PC the numbers will change based on how many monitors I have plugged in, and what ports I plug them into. I can plug 1 monitor in any of my Video cards ports and it gets the number 1. If I plug a second monitor in the one labeled 1 can become 2. It all depends on what ports are used. I have Mini HDMI, DVI, DVI. With three monitors plugged in the one in the MINI HDMI is monitor no 1. If I unplug it, the 1 moves to one of the other displays. I have never had an instance where there wasn't a 1 shown.

On my laptop my second display is connected via USB (DisplayLink). As far as I know my laptops built in display is always display 1. My laptop also has dual graphics, mine are AMD APU and AMD GPU. If you have a TV with an HDMI input and an HDMI cable, that will work as a second display on your laptop, assuming your laptop has an HDMI out. If its only VGA that complicates things somewhat. I was just thinking plugging a second monitor in, a real one, might toggle the numbers around. And that that might stick when you unplugged it again.