I disconnected the USB hub and all connected USB adapters that drive displays, also uninstalled DisplayLink drivers. Same problems, as soon as Windows 10 turns off the displays, that are connected to my Nvidia 980Ti card, after a time of inactivity and after Windowsbrings the displays back all my application windows are chaotically shifted all over the connected displays. So, it is definitely either an Nvidia driver issue or related to Windows 10. I installed the latest video drivers hence am back to square one...
that is odd, I would lean towards the win 10... I have had issues with nvidia driver updates via windows updates in the past, but usually it only caused black screens, never an alignment problem... next step uninstall nvidia drivers go to nvidia support page and start working your way back in driver revisions... (if you can) win10 and all... This was one of the primary reasons I was hesitant with win10 (and rolled back all the media systems) "forced updates" For production systems the EULA language was unacceptable to the attorneys... (but that is a different discussion) With win7 I always deselect the video driver updates... I don't play games, I don't need the bells and whistles... which tend to break a perfectly functioning system... If that doesn't work, you can always roll back to win7 (tongue in cheek again) lol (but actually may be a solution) for the record, networking and video issues are always a thorn in my saddle... Would appreciate an update on your solution when found... no doubt it will affect many win10 users ofc workaround, is never sleep system...
Its not Windows 10, as previously stated, same with Windows 7. Please see the following post on a thread I came across (without solution unfortunately). The user is in a very similar situation (from 2010, 6 years ago, and the issue has still not been solved): "Hello Azeez, Would you be so kind as to plain and simply answer ONE of the following questions without giving run around or answering a different question. What registry setting do I add / change / delete to DISABLE this monitor auto-detection service / annoying so-called "feature"? I have a multi-monitor (8 monitors) system and I like to turn off the power to my monitors at night. When I wake up in the morning I turn the power back on, and all my applications are moved around. It appears that Windows 7 is automatically detecting the monitors turning on/off (as I hear the same sound as if I plugged in a USB device) and moving / resizing my application windows once the power is restored. In the interest of saving time / avoiding you giving a non-answer / run around answer, I'll post my question in a slightly different ways so that you understand EXACTLY what I am asking with the hopes that I can get a straight answer out of you. How do I disable this monitor auto-detection so that when I turn my monitors on/off my applications stay where I left them? or How do I get windows to STOP reacting to my monitors being turned on/off? Everything in Windows is controlled by the registry so there HAS to be a registry setting that can achieve this goal. Please tell me how to achieve this goal."
I did a bit of googling as your problem interests me... good chance I will run across it someday displayfusion was one persons suggestion (albeit) if it works it is a bandaid, and doesn't fix the underlying cause. registry entries fixed some peoples problem, but there has to be a simpler fix... ruling out win10, I agree with you that some monitors may not be recognized immediately and windows "resizes" / Moves to primary monitor... if is a driver issue and rolled back driver doesn't cure the problem, don't have a lot of suggestions ... replace video card ??? put both monitors on same card, see if those two monitors remain stable... trial and error... good luck
Well, at this point I take any advice or hint, so, thanks for the "displayfusion" pointer... Its all not a deal breaker for me but its annoying because I currently dont have the displays turn off during times of inactivity but use a screen saver, but with 8 displays even with the aircon cranked up...well...you get the gist.
I am happy to report that I resolved the problem. The issue of shifting application windows after Windows 10 wakes up from sleep or after the monitors turned off due to energy savings settings had nothing to do with Windows 10 itself. The problem lies with Display Port. I have 4 monitors that I connect to my Nvidia 980Ti card and one was a DP output which I hooked up to my 4k screen. I now only use 3 screens on my dedicated video card, 1 screen on internal Intel graphics and the remaining screens on USB 3.0 <-> DVI/HDMI adapters. There are a number articles online describing the DP issue, I do not know whether it is a general DP issue or whether I had an old cable. Newer cables block pin 20 of the DP plugs which carries power to the video card which in some cases causes issues between that power flow and the one of the video card. All 8 screens work perfectly in harmony In any case, if anyone has similar issues check out your display port setup and potentially change cables or replace the DP by HDMI or so. I now drive my 4k screen via HDMI at full resolution (might have less refresh rates but I am only speculating, too lazy to check it out as it only displays some static trading-related data and works fine right now)
I used to use Google Chrome for some time & I've noticed that when I start it it shifts the other applications around.