Author Topic: Display Problems With Safe Zone  (Read 11638 times)

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Nesivos

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Display Problems With Safe Zone
« on: March 24, 2011, 05:33:03 PM »
Although my two Desktops are identical except for the processor my Display setups are almost entirely different.

The Desktops have two video output ports; a HDMI and a VGA

Desktop #1 - Multimedia Entertainment Computer
===============================================
Two monitors in "Mirror Mode"

Monitor #1 using a HDMI input.  So the connection here is straight HDMI to HDMI
Monitor #2 using a VGA input.   So the connection here is straight VGA to VGA - Connected to a LCD TV Monitor.

Safe Zone desktop displays on both monitors.

Desktop #2 - Everyday Surfing the Net Computer
==============================================
Two monitors in "Extended Mode"

Monitor #1 using a DVI input.  So the connection here is HDMI to DVI conversion on the output side and a DVI connection on the monitor side
Monitor #2 using a VGA input.  So the connection here is straight VGA to VGA

Bug #1
------------
In the dual monitor setup using Extended Mode, Safe Zone displays only on Monitor #1.  Monitor #2 goes dark immediately upon entering the Safe Zone.   As a result you cannot open two Chromium Browser windows and drag one to the second monitor like you can in normal Windows using dual monitors in an Extended Mode setup.

Bug #2
---------------
On the Desktop in the dual monitor setup using Extended Mode the one monitor that remains lit when you enter Safe Zone gets dimmer when you enter Safe Zone.  When you exit Safe Zone that monitor remains dimmed and the second monitor comes on in a dimmer state.

I have come up with a workaround for Bug #2.  I open the Catalyst Control Center and go to "Graphics"----"Desktop Properties"---"Color" and then click on the "Brightness" bar slider.  I have to do this for each display.  This then returns the brightness on each monitor to its normal brightness state.





doktornotor

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #1 on: March 25, 2011, 10:22:17 AM »
I have come up with a workaround for Bug #2.  I open the Catalyst Control Center and go to "Graphics"----"Desktop Properties"---"Color" and then click on the "Brightness" bar slider.  I have to do this for each display.  This then returns the brightness on each monitor to its normal brightness state.

LOL. Just to clarify, the "goes dimmer" is a Windows security feature - notifying you that the application is running in a separate desktop (note: has nothing to do with dual monitors). You can disable it via UAC settings but I do not recommend that - it has security implications, not just the "dim".

Someone already posted this, cannot find the thread ATM.

thesilentman

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #2 on: April 05, 2011, 11:46:34 PM »
@Nesivos: The quicker way to restore "Normal" Brightness is to Lock and Unlock the Computer (Ctrl-Alt-Del & Lock and then login again).
Well, it works on my Vista x64 with a Matrox Millennium Dual Monitor Setup.

@doktornotor: Yes the dim is exaclt what you say, but it should restore to normal brightness after exiting Safezone into the normal Desktop. Looks like a bug to me. (I am on 6.0.1044).


doktornotor

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #3 on: April 06, 2011, 12:48:05 AM »
@doktornotor: Yes the dim is exaclt what you say, but it should restore to normal brightness after exiting Safezone into the normal Desktop. Looks like a bug to me. (I am on 6.0.1044).

Yes, it should restore to normal... as said, a couple of people reported it, no reaction from Avast folks, no idea whether they are aware or not. Maybe someone submit a ticket to them or email.

Offline pk

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #4 on: April 06, 2011, 03:50:10 AM »
Bug #1, thanks for info - we'll try to simulate it in our lab; our QA guys tester multiple monitor support in SafeZone, but they'll retest your configuration; in case you use SafeZone from the first initial version, did it work sometime in past for you?

Bug #2, actually we simulate dim effect when you switch to/from SafeZone, it has certain shortcomings (e.g. display isn't sometimes fully restored, stays dimmed), it will be fixed in next build

Nesivos

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #5 on: April 06, 2011, 04:29:54 AM »
I have come up with a workaround for Bug #2.  I open the Catalyst Control Center and go to "Graphics"----"Desktop Properties"---"Color" and then click on the "Brightness" bar slider.  I have to do this for each display.  This then returns the brightness on each monitor to its normal brightness state.

LOL. Just to clarify, the "goes dimmer" is a Windows security feature - notifying you that the application is running in a separate desktop (note: has nothing to do with dual monitors). You can disable it via UAC settings but I do not recommend that - it has security implications, not just the "dim".

Someone already posted this, cannot find the thread ATM.

I don't think it is a UAC brightness change because it doesn't happen outside of Safe Zone when I enter a program.  Outside of Safe Zone the monitor dims when I start a program and then goes back to normal brightness when the program loads and runs

Also if it was a UAC problem others would have reported it.

If the monitor dimmed when entering Safe Zone and then returned to normal brightness once the Safe Zone desktop loaded then it wouldn't be a problem.  However, the brightness does not return unless I force it to as described above.




« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 04:47:39 AM by Nesivos »

Nesivos

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #6 on: April 06, 2011, 04:39:08 AM »
Bug #1, thanks for info - we'll try to simulate it in our lab; our QA guys tester multiple monitor support in SafeZone, but they'll retest your configuration; in case you use SafeZone from the first initial version, did it work sometime in past for you?

Bug #2, actually we simulate dim effect when you switch to/from SafeZone, it has certain shortcomings (e.g. display isn't sometimes fully restored, stays dimmed), it will be fixed in next build

I don't recall if it every worked.  It could be a driver problem, though there is no problem in normal mode.

The Windows driver number is 6.1.7600.16385

Driver Packaging Version is 8.821.-110126a-112964C-ATI
The ATI 2D Driver Version is 8.01.01.1123
The ATI Direct3D Version is 7.14.10.0812
The OpenGL Version is 6.14.10.15424
 
Catalyst Version is 11.2
Catalyst Control Center Version is 2010.1026.2246.39002

If you need more information please let me know

My guess is that it has to do with two monitors.

The reason I am saying this is because the Safe Zone desktop does not "Extend" into monitor #2 when Safe Zone loads even though this is how my monitors are set up.

I use two monitors on this computer all the time without a problem. I am able to drag a second Firefox window onto the second monitor or load the AIS GUI into the second monitor.

However, when in Safe Zone the second monitor is completely dark.

So my guess is the dimming has something to do with the two monitor setup in "Extended" mode.

Also on my second Dell which has the monitors "Mirrored" as opposed to "Extended" using exactly the same drivers as listed above, there is no problem with Safe Zone dimming or the monitor dimming after I leave Safe Zone.

So my guess is that the problem is somehow connected to running two monitors in the "Extended" mode.   Whether it is a bug in the software drivers I wouldn't venture to hypothesize.

There is no reason that I can see for the Safe Zone desktop not to show on both monitors when the monitors are setup in the "Extended" mode.

If fact this would prove extremely useful since you open multiple windows in Chromium and should be able to drag a second window to the second monitor when the monitors are set up in the "Extended" mode.






« Last Edit: April 06, 2011, 04:59:38 AM by Nesivos »

doktornotor

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #7 on: April 06, 2011, 09:12:00 AM »
Bug #2, actually we simulate dim effect when you switch to/from SafeZone, it has certain shortcomings (e.g. display isn't sometimes fully restored, stays dimmed), it will be fixed in next build

Hmmm, interesting. Any advantage in doing this, in comparison with utilizing the built-in Vista/W7 mechanism? (Just curious  :P).

Offline pk

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #8 on: April 06, 2011, 01:31:14 PM »
Hmmm, interesting. Any advantage in doing this, in comparison with utilizing the built-in Vista/W7 mechanism? (Just curious  :P).

Yes, built-in Vista/W6 dimming is only for internal use and it's enabled only for users switching (we switch desktop when the user is still logged in).

doktornotor

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #9 on: April 06, 2011, 01:42:40 PM »
Ok, thanks.  ;)

thesilentman

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #10 on: April 28, 2011, 12:38:02 PM »
So now 1091 is out and the issue is still there. At least for my configuration. After exiting Safezone the screen remains dimmed in the normal environment. I can get back to normal by hitting ctrl-alt-del and esc (cancel), but it's still annoying.

My Graphics Card is a Matrox Millennium P690 PCIe x16 (Driver Version 2.6.3.1) feeding two 23" Displays.

Offline Rednose

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #11 on: April 28, 2011, 01:02:44 PM »
Hi thesilentman :)

I can tell you that Petr ( pk ) is aware that the 1091 build still can have the SafeZone dimm issue. But I don't know when it will be fixed.

Greetz, Red.
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thesilentman

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #12 on: April 28, 2011, 01:08:30 PM »
Ah, thanks Rednose,

good to know. It's not a big issue, but still annoying. Waiting for the fix then...


Offline avadas.de

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #13 on: July 11, 2011, 02:28:49 PM »
Hello,

is this bug still valid in the current version? We have a user with exactly the same problem. When he enters the SafeZone his monitor gets dimmed, when he leaves it, it stays dimmed.
Feel welcome to also visit the German Avast Community Forums for support and discussions with other security specialists as well as beginners!

Avast 19.6.2383 German Release Notes

Offline pk

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Re: Display Problems With Safe Zone
« Reply #14 on: July 11, 2011, 02:30:08 PM »
yes, it was definitely fixed in 1203 (maybe also in older officual version, i'm not sure now)