Cannot find Browse dialogue boxes

[Haden]

I run Revit Arch 2009 on a laptop which I frequently use with a 2nd display, either in a duplicate desktop mode (w/ some projectors) or on a split desktop, with my 2nd monitor.

For the last week or so, when I invoke certain Revit commands that involve browsing (such as File -- New -- Project), then hit the browse button, the browse dialogue does not show up, and when I click again on the New Project dialogue, I get a rejection tone, and cannot do anything in Revit until I hit escape and cancel on this box. This also happens when I try to browse for the location of the Keynotes .txt file to use.

Needless to say, this is a REAL handicap!

I tried installing the Web Update Svc Pack 3, as well as updating the drivers to my graphics card: ATI Radeon Mobility 9700, which up until this week has worked without any such hitches for several years of Revit use. I have also tried switching back and forth between dual screens and a single screen, in every way I can think of to un-stick this behaviour, but no success.

Anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

[iankids]

Hi Haden

It sounds really weird.

Does the the same thing happen if you are running a single screen only? If it is ok on a single screen, my gut feel would still be the video card and or drivers.

If it is still a problem on a single screen, I would think you should lodge a support request with the factory. (Probably be asked to do a complete "clean" install!?)

With the keynotes, I seem to remember that if you are running Vista the user account control needs to be turned off before install the program or else the keynotes won't work.

Cheers,

Ian

[arqt49]

That happened to me before.
Did you change your primary display? If so, return to the original setting.
I believe the new project window is offset outside both monitors.
If you use some type of display management, like the one from nvidia, it has a option for preventing windows from opening off screen area.

[nigeld]

Can you explain or describe the location of the nvidia setting for this? I cant find it. Thanks.

[Haden]

Does the the same thing happen if you are running a single screen only?

Thanks, Ian, and Gonçalo. I appreciate your responses. Yes, it does happen when I reduce my display to a single screen, and when I have both screens on in my office, I use the larger (external CRT) as the primary. I am hoping NOT to have to do a clean install of Revit, since I may replace this laptop in a couple of weeks, looking for good sales at the first of the year. I do think this is somehow more of a graphics card issue as Gonçalo suggests rather than a Revit issue, but I seem to be somehow caught in the twighlight zone.


If you use some type of display management, like the one from nvidia, it has a option for preventing windows from opening off screen area.

ATI does have a display management software, called Catalyst, which I have fooled with in search of a solution, but to no avail. It's really hard to understand what some of the options in that interface really mean. I may just have to submit a question to the ATI people on this one. There has to be some way of calling all the windows home (like sheep) with the display controller.

[arqt49]

I now have a ati card, too.
Before I had a Nvidia with that option.
With the ATI, you have to use the other monitor to get the window back into place and stick to it.
As I mentioned before, popup windows get the memory of the offset to the program window of the last position used.

[Haden]

I found the solution:

<ALT> + <Spacebar>,

which brings up a dialogue box that allows you to MOVE or CLOSE the "lost" window.

Thanks for the input.