I realize there are numerous discussions similar to this topic but I have not found a permanent solution. I have followed many, if not all troubleshooting steps (store fences on per-screen resolution, reinstallation, etc.)
The major issue is that upon reboot or even a system wake-up, the Fences Registry value for the PrimaryMonitorLast is getting changed to a different monitor number than where my fences should appear, and sure enough, the fences are created on the monitor indicated in the PrimaryMonitorLast location rather than on the monitor(s) I want the fences to show on.
Restoring from any of my snapshots rarely fixes the issue, even though the layout was manually created by me when the Fences were correctly showing (occasionally this works, but it is very inconsistent).
HOWEVER, if I edit the XML file in the %UserProfile%\AppData\Roaming\Stardock\Fences\Backups folder, and I manually change the incorrect DISPLAY value (e.g. \\.\DISPLAY3 to \\.\DISPLAY4), AND I change the PrimaryMonitorLast registry value to \\.\DISPLAY4 then I can use the snapshot to restore the fences.
It seems that the PrimaryMonitorLast registry value is the root of this evil.
Hello,Sorry to hear you are having issues. You would be a good candidate for users that we are looking to collect some data from in Fences 4 in relation to multi-monitor usage. If you have a chance, please review https://forums.stardock.com/516971/fences-multi-monitor-logging
Thank you,
Basj,Stardock Community Assistant
I'm having exactly the same issue, and as far as I can see, nobody has ever come up with a solution. Multiple fences on multiple 'pages' keep getting moved. It's causing serious problems, since it keeps putting fences from multiple monitors on top of each other, making it really, really difficult to select them to get them back where they belong.
Is there an actual solution to this, or better yet, a way to get direct customer support?
Having used Fences for years, I was a version 2 user until just a few months back, and having upgraded to version 4 in hopes it would resolve the issue I had in version 2, I find that 'not having an idea where the icons will be today' is totally unacceptable. I stand amazed that as long as this has been a problem that no solution has been offered to the users to resolve the 'mystery'.
I don't claim to be a wizard in programming, but have spent many years teaching logic and program design. It seems to me that if the Windows Monitor Identification is not a constant, then quit trying to use it within the software. If I am not mistaken, the monitor 'name' is always available. So rather than trying to use the display ID, use the Display Name, like in my case, my ID's are 2436, 6 Series 50, and M556-H4. I would suggest that each Fence be able to be 'configured' or 'assigned' to a display name (as they ARE constants), a user setting within each fence. A user default set for new fences created. So that when the system reboots or is recovered from sleep, the Fences then places the Fence on the display assigned within each fence. I can't imagine that this would be that had to design and/or code.
PLEASE correct this flaw in the software. I believe StarDock has had sufficient time to correct this issue. As this logic error was even prevalent in Version2 as well.
Thank you for the feedback, tbpcpa01.
Sean DrohanStardock Product Lifecycle Manager
So I first came to this thread regarding this issue as per the topic title on:
Reply #23 November 16, 2022 12:37:23
I was able to resolve the issue at one point, which involved some variation of:
a) which monitor is plugged into which port
which color profile is assigned to which monitor (though I'm not clear on this at this point in time now as to which/what should be set to which)
I can provide the following info.
1) when I got it to work I had 3x monitors across 2 video cards (different), 2x 27" (I think) and 1x 24", 2 as HDMI, and 1 as DVI
-so it would seem it can handle some diverse connections both monitor specs, connection method, and cards/ports
I have recently removed the 24" (which was far right) and replaced it with a 32" UHD (center) with the 27"'s on either side.
-ALL hell has broken out, every restart, even the occasional wake from monitor blank/power-save screen causes icons and/or fences to move.
- It is a serious PITA!
I suspect I will have to go through the gambit of the monitor port connection shuffle, and then try to figure out the color profile stuff again with the new setup.
This thread was opened: April 30, 2022 12:15:31 PM
To date, it has been on going for 18 months ++
As much as it has been asserted:
That is just not the case. It is being actively investigated.
Deciphering corporate speak, this could mean anything. Investigating is not resolving the issue.
Cold cases sit open (still unresolved, open for investigation) for decades, and sometimes they never have even a single person do anything with them.
I don't really want to come across as a flaming ranting user, but if in 18 months (who knows maybe more) your developers can't seem to figure out how to write code, to access the primary monitor location in tandem with the additional monitor locations (left/right) either through windows environment settings, or Nvidia's Control Panel settings, or both, it really comes across as if either their not very interested in eating up company resources resolving it, or just are not qualified/skilled enough to resolve it. I'm sure there are a few advanced powershell commands that could retrieve the windows environment variables for multiple monitor placement/configuration. Once you have that they should be able to encode icon/fence placement relative those. I couldn't do it myself, but know enough to have an idea where to look.
What exactly does "Lifecycle" mean in conjunction with your manager title? Does this mean that Fences 3/4 are at the end of their lifecycle? I wouldn't expect a company to continue to work and resolve issues with a product that is at the end of it's lifecycle. I would expect them to advise that upfront however, and not just try to maintain market share, customer loyalty, and the hopes that more sales can be garnered from customers with the next iteration of as they might believe the issues will be resolved with it.
Sorry, but understanding frustration and producing results are two different things.
We need results, not understanding. We need results, not another version we have to pay to upgrade/purchase.
If it's a case that the financial benefits of pumping resources into fixing the issue does not justify the expenditures, just say so.
Personally, I suspect that the base coding is probably fine. As others have discovered over the last year and a half, it has more to do with monitor port, connection order, color profile, and the order in which all of these are done, with/without reboots after each step etc.
Spending company resources to create a defined, concrete step by step guide ie:
-plug 1 monitor into port on primary vid card that is closest to motherboard, set/check color profile. shutdown.
-plug in second monitor into next port closest to motherboard (same vid card if you have more than one) this monitor should be arranged on the left of the primary (middle). boot
-Setup windows/nvidia multiple display
.... etc.
..etc.
Would be a better investment of company resources imho.
I'm not ready to F#$% around with all this now, I just tolerate it at this point. I have stuff that can take 72+ hours of non-stop processing by my PC. trying to find time to mess with this, is just a pita as I said before.
Bump on this issue. From day one of using Fences 4 I'm experiencing this issue, every single reboot - fences are moving from one monitor to another
Just as a test has you trial Fences 5 and see if the issue resolved with it?
I have Fences 5 installed. I hadn't any problems for a month now, even though I updated the graphics driver.A few days ago I needed to shut down the PC and when coming up I had a mess with the monitors as windows dumped some settings. Even then it worked and after returning to my normal configuration everything stayed the same.
So at the moment everything seems fine. The only thing that was wrecked after the monitor mess where the backgrounds with Deskcapes 11. Those lists I needed to reassign to the correct monitor again.
Awesome, appreciate you reporting it here.
These developments are good to know. Is Fences 5 a full cost upgrade for those of us on Fences 4?
I went to https://www.stardock.com/products/fences/#purchase and clicked the little blue "upgrade" text. For me, it is a $2 savings off the annual renewal. There is also a $29 lifetime offer.
Looks like the upgrade discount is only for the subscription, not the permanent license?
From here: https://forums.stardock.com/524050
Is there an ‘Upgrade’ option for a permanent license?
At this time, ‘Upgrade’ pricing is only available for subscription licenses and not for permanent licenses of Fences 5. However, during the Release Preview, permanent licenses are discounted for all customers.
Unfortunately, this issue was enough of a problem to make Fences unusable for me. Along with the fact that this issue has been going on through multiple iterations without a solution, while support keeps me spinning my wheels - well, I need an app I can use, and I cannot use Fences. It's been enough that I've given up on Stardock entirely, and have found an alternative for Fences. I have gone from having nearly every aspect of my system customized by SD to only having one program remaining, and I'll be replacing that as soon as I decide on an alternative.
This isn't an attack on Stardock, just disappointment. I've been a customer of this company for a quarter of a century, going clear back to the early versions of Windowblinds. But things have gotten so bad that it's just not a smart choice for me anymore, and I have a feeling that others are quietly doing the same. Stardock - I'd love to come back. Please do better.
We certainly appreciate the patronage and feedback but 'do better' how exactly? Are you saying that your current and future SD purchasing decisions have been reduced to a single issue with one of the many products we produce?
Furthermore, what is 'so bad' now that was not prior - where have we let you down over time? Or, is it the case that you will 'come back' if we find a way to solve this complex issue that only some have?
Again, thanks for the feedback, Greybird.
I have the same problem. When one Monitor of multi Monitor setup is switched of, for example. All fences switch to the Main Monitor. So it is unusable for a multi-monitor setup and can only use one monitor.
This feature is, in my eyes, mandatory for an desktop organizer utility. That is preventing me from upgrading my fences 4.
I am consider to remove and forget fences, at the moment.
We have always been working to improve the reliability of Fences placement on the Desktop. What has made this challenging over the years are all the variables that are involved:
Quantity of monitors
Connection types
DPI \ Scale \ Resolution
Waking from sleep \ hibernate states
The evolution of Windows itself and how it manages items on the desktop
That said, we have a Fences 5 Alpha build in the early stages that we believe addresses most scenarios and we are looking for users who are willing to test this version of our updated engine.
https://cdn.stardock.us/support/uploads/Fences5_5.5.0.2-j46-Setup.exe
NOTE: As stated, this is an early Fences 5 build that you will need to have a license for or an active Object Desktop subscription. The alternative is to activate a trial if you did not have a license.
Also, while internal tests have been promising, no one should install this on a PC if they are not willing to do considerable work to resolve unforeseen issues.
Backups -> Store my layout on a per-monitor-configuration basis
Please include the following for anything found:
Exact Windows version \ build (winver.exe)
Detailed steps to recreate the issue seen
Screenshots and videos are very helpful. Videos can be uploaded to a cloud drive service (GoogleDrive, DropBox, OneDrive, YouTube), with a shared link included in your post. Images can be copied and pasted directly into a post.
If there are specific apps that the app does not work (well) with, please note what apps and their exact versions. If any app is not common, a link to a trial version would be appreciated.
We are very much looking forward to your feedback on this.
It seems to work.
If i turn off my 2nd monitor the fences are moving to the first monitor.
After turning on my 2nd monitor, again, the fences moving back to the 2nd monitor.
Would be great if i can select the behavior of the fences. For example do not display or enable the moving fences. If the fences are at the same position on different monitors, they will overlap.
So if the monitor fails for a longer time i can enable the moved fences and can access them after changing the behavior in the settings of fences.
What does "a Fences 5 build in the early stages" mean?
Is it integrated in the actual fences 5 version?
This is an Alpha build of Fences 5 that has a new way to handle elements on the desktop in multi-monitor environments. If all goes well, it will be included in a future general release of Fences 5.
Excellent.
That would be a poor client experience if icons became unavailable on the desktop and the client was unaware of why or how to get them back.
Thank you very much for the feedback, gnorf71.
let me know if it is integrated in the actual Fences 5 Version....
Maybe. Is it an better client experience if several fences of two or monitors are overlapping and placed on only one monitor??? An missing monitor is in the most cases an short time problem. Until all monitors are switched on again.
Yes, its better than them not existing at all and the client believing that they are gone or that Fences deleted them.
I installed the Fences 5 beta. The Testphase will end in the near end.
How can i switch back to Fences 4?
Found the old Download for 4.03 and updated it online to 4.22 back again.
Let me know if the feature for the multi monitor solution is in the actual fences 5 version. Maybe i will buy it.
I'm using Fences 5.51, and this just happened to me too. I re-booted and Fences showed up on my secondary display, instead of primary. I have to manually move the fences. Can this be fixed?
Is this a new installed or installed over previous version? Also, once you done the manually move the Fences, save a new layout snapshot. Does the same issue happened again?
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