The logon screen is not available after you remove a second monitor when Windows Vista is asleep or in hibernation

Consider the following scenarios:

• An additional monitor is connected to a Windows Vista-based desktop computer. The additional monitor is designated as the primary display (the main monitor). The computer goes into hibernation or goes to sleep. This additional monitor is disconnected. The computer resumes from sleep or from hibernation.
• An external monitor is connected to a portable Windows Vista-based computer. The additional monitor is designated as the primary display (the main monitor). The built-in screen is designated as the secondary display. The computer goes into hibernation or goes to sleep. This external monitor is disconnected. The computer resumes from sleep or from hibernation.

In these scenarios, you cannot see the logon screen. Therefore, you cannot log on to the computer.

This issue occurs because the primary monitor is removed from the computer when the operating system is inactive. The logon screen ordinarily appears on the primary monitor. Therefore, the logon screen is not viewable.

Service pack information

To resolve this problem, obtain the latest service pack for Windows Vista. For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next software update that contains this hotfix.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, contact Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement

You must restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace a previously released hotfix.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, x86-based versions

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions

To work around this issue, use the following methods in the order that they are presented.

Method 1

Press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, type your password, and then press ENTER. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 2

If Method 1 does not work, type your password, and then press ENTER. Do not press CTRL+ALT+DELETE first. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 3

If Method 1 and Method 2 do not work, reconnect the second monitor, and then log on. Turn off the computer, disconnect the monitor, and then start the computer. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Method 4

Use Method 4 if the previous methods do not work and a second monitor is not available. Turn off the computer, and then restart the computer. In some cases, you may have to press and hold the power button for five seconds or longer to turn off the computer. Start the computer. Windows Vista sets the current monitor as the primary monitor, and the display appears.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section. This problem was first corrected in Windows Vista Service Pack 1.

We do not recommend that you remove devices from the computer while the computer is asleep or is in hibernation. Instead, remove devices when the computer is off or is in a fully running state.

For more information about how to set up multiple monitors, visit the following Microsoft Web site: For more information, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: