Offscreen Windows

HydroCAD^® Stormwater Modeling - Since 1986

Off-Screen Windows

Background

Each time you start HydroCAD, the main screen is automatically restored to the same location on the Windows desktop that was used when you previously stopped HydroCAD. This capability works when using a single monitor, or with a multi-monitor configuration, which is basically just a larger desktop extending across multiple monitors.

If you reconfigure the displays in a multi-monitor setup, the desktop position previously used by HydroCAD may no longer be visible. In most cases, HydroCAD will detect this situation and automatically reset the position of the main screen, placing it at the center of the primary monitor. However, in some cases, HydroCAD may not be able to detect the change, resulting in the main screen not being visible. Despite appearances, HydroCAD is running normally; you just cannot see the screen.

Fixing an off-screen window

Option 1: The best way to resolve this situation is to restore your displays to their previous configuration, so that HydroCAD is visible. You can then move the HydroCAD screen to a location that will be compatible with your new monitor arrangement.

Option 2: If you are still unable to find the HydroCAD screen, try these steps to reposition the screen:

A) Immediately after launching HydroCAD, press Alt-Space. This will open the system menu for the HydroCAD window. Since HydroCAD is off-screen you will not see the menu, but it should be active.

B) Press the letter "m" and then the right-arrow key. Again, you will not see a response, because the window is still off-screen, but you should now be able to move the HydroCAD screen with the mouse.

C) Without clicking, move the mouse in all directions until you can see the HydroCAD screen. When you can see the HydroCAD screen click once to stop moving the window.

Option 3: As a last resort, if you are still unable to locate the HydroCAD screen, you can reset the screen position as follows:

A) Use the Windows Task Manager to terminate HydroCAD.

B) Use the Windows Registry Editor to delete the following key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\HydroCAD\MainForm

(Or you can download and run our registry file to automatically delete the key.)

C) Start HydroCAD as usual, and the HydroCAD screen will be automatically centered on your primary monitor.

Note: If you are running HydroCAD 10.2 or later, you will see Warning 213, since HydroCAD was not closed properly. Click "OK" on the warning message and the HydroCAD screen will appear as usual. If it does not appear, you need to reset the screen position as detailed above.