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jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Windows and desktop photo too small after reboot

24" iMac Monterey

This has been an ongoing issue. After a shutdown or restart the desktop photo displays as half size and all the windows are smaller as well as the desktop icons. Usually it will somehow resolve itself after an hour or so but now it has not after a week. In safe mode the issue persists. This started after migrating from my old computer so I wonder if there is a conflict somewhere. It is strange that up until now it would resolve itself. Thanks for any suggestions.

iMac, macOS 10.12

Posted on Jun 4, 2022 11:51 AM

Top-ranking reply

DiZoE

Level 4

3,021 points

Posted on Jun 11, 2022 1:25 PM

Go team effort 🙂.

I believe it may now be related to the WindowsServer preferences, which I know to be related to display and windows settings.

In the ~/Library, delete these files:

/Preferences/WindowsServer.plist

/Preferences/ByHost/WindowsServer.plist

(There maybe a few, you can delete them all).

Next in the /Library:

/Preferences/WindowsServer.plist

If there, delete the restart and test.

To get to the ~/Library:

Open Finder, on the top menu choose Go, then while holding Option on the keyboard, select Library.

Yo get to the /Library:

Click Go > Computer > Macintosh HD > Library.

Hope that helps!

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55 replies

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 10, 2022 10:50 PM in response to DiZoE

Found no problems––no change to the desktop. I think it was Steve who suggested finding the display prefs. but didn't know where they are on Monterey. Would that be useful?

Another inconsistency: if I view photos in Photos albums through the Desktop system pref. most are small but some are full size...

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 10, 2022 11:13 PM in response to DiZoE

I did see that. So I swap out the keyboard and mouse and then restart?

I think I have another keyboard but I have only 2 mice––one by the computer and one in the other room to control the computer when it's displaying on the TV while streaming.

steve626

Level 6

11,633 points

Jun 11, 2022 10:09 AM in response to jmj20

If I have read your posts properly (this has been a long chain), when you disconnect all external devices (except mouse, keyboard), and reboot, the iMac display itself is still not correct?

If this is the case, then I think we really need to find and remove the Mac's Display preferences file(s), both for the individual user and for the entire system. This would force it to recreate them as vanilla files like when the computer was brand new when it worked. I can find them for Big Sur but have not yet figured out where they are under Monterey. Still looking and searching.

If the problem goes away when you reboot after disconnecting everything, then the problem most likely is related to the connection or interaction with the external display (TV).

Is your iMac a 2021 M1 24" iMac? If so, that iMac can support one external 6K display with 6016 by 3384 resolution at 60 Hz. I noticed your screen shot showed 75 Hz for the external display. Not sure if that is impacting things.

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 11, 2022 11:41 AM in response to steve626

Yes, you talked about the display prefs before which makes sense to me as the possible problem but we couldn't find them. If we could that might solve it.

Disconnecting everything doesn't change the problem. Did that last night.

Yes, it is a 24" Mac M1 purchased in 2022. No idea about the 75 Hz for external display. (?)

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 11, 2022 4:38 PM in response to DiZoE

Wow! It worked! Many thanks to you and Steve for hanging in there with all your efforts. Hopefully it will take. I'm going to screenshot this reply in case it's needed. Again, Gold Stars and Pints all around for your persistence! Jim

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 5, 2022 12:12 PM in response to PRP_53

I think you are right. Here's the report, thanks!

Report

DiZoE

Level 4

3,021 points

Jun 8, 2022 1:36 PM in response to jmj20

Thanks for that, that helps!

Being a system wide issue (Happening in all user accounts) I’d suggest Reinstalling the OS:

How to reinstall macOS - Apple Support

Hope that does it, let me know!

steve626

Level 6

11,633 points

Jun 6, 2022 11:06 PM in response to jmj20

This is how they show up on my Mac. I checked several other Macs, they all look similar:

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 7, 2022 7:01 AM in response to steve626

Is it a problem that they're not there?

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 7, 2022 6:00 PM in response to jmj20

I'm seeing conflicting reset instructions:

PRP_53

Level 10

92,485 points

Jun 5, 2022 4:11 AM in response to steve626

👍

jmj20 Author

Level 1

10 points

Jun 5, 2022 3:43 PM in response to PRP_53

Thank you for the review! I'll go through it and see if can figure out what to do since I'm not well versed in the details. May I reply if I have questions?