Standard Windows Config

This seems like a simple thing and I'm probably missing the obvious - what I want to do is have a standard layout of running programs with the windows in their proper position. In effect, I want to have 4 or 5 programs start on startup, or with one click of an icon, and all of the programs open, size and be in the position I have selected.

I am running Vista Home Premium on an AMD 9500 Quad-Core 2.20 GHz with Nvidia cards driving three monitors. If needed, I am willing to purchase additional software or go to another version of Vista.

Any help will be greatly appreciated.

tim

 

Do you have the standard "Vista" drivers installed for your video card? Try downloading the NVidia drivers - it comes with a utility that should allow you to do what you are looking for.

 

Gurutech - thanks for your reply. I downloaded the drivers from Nvidia and it seems like that program is no longer included or if it is, I can't find it. I installed the drivers and all is well on the video side but when I look in Programs and the Nvidia - there is only one program and it has to do with video game development.

Any other ideas or do you knon where I can get that program from Nvidia?

Thanks
tim

 

Have you tried a .bat file? Or perhaps a Perl script?

 

Shadow - I thought about a .bat file but I don't know how to restore the screen positions. It will start the programs but, to the best of my knowledge, only max or minimized. Pearl is beyond my knowledge base.

Thanks
tim

 

Position each program where you want it, then close them. They should remember their start position and sizes. There could be an options setting to enable that ("remember last position on close", or save settings now).

If they won't re-open with the previous size and position settings, and there is nothing in the options of the program, try holding the control key down when clicking the X to close the program. If that doesn't work, hold ctrl while clicking File | Close (or the equivalent). Last resort, complain to the software author.

Once they will open at the correct positions, just copy the the Icon you click to start the program into the Start | All Programs | Startup folder.

HTH

Jerry

 

You can also try holding the CTRL key as you close each window by double-clicking the top-LEFT of each window (the program icon...)

That worked on previous versions of Windows, haven't tried it on Vista myself...