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Two monitor configuration: launching a particular app automatically creates 4th screen, toggling required (help!)

Colleagues,


I apologize for this rookie question in advance!


Currently running: iMac OS 10.11.6 -- two monitors. Home screen on the left monitor.


I have a particular app on my dock. Somehow I did something so that when I launch it, a NEW screen is created on the right: the app appears on the right screen; the left screen is black / blank. In order to return to my home screen I have to TOGGLE (ctrl left) which is ANNOYING. While working with this app I can't see anything on my home screen at the same time.


DESIRED RESULT: when restart I want the home screen on the left monitor; I want to launch the app and have it appear on the right monitor, with the home screen visible the left as previously. Not sure what I did but I would be grateful for your guidance in advance.


ML

iMac 21.5″, OS X 10.11

Posted on Jun 13, 2020 7:43 AM

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Jun 13, 2020 10:33 AM in response to QuickPost

Thank you for your note. I apologize that I am not describing the problem well. Everything has been working fine until I must have done some silly unintentional clicks. Famous last words!


I have two monitors: the actual iMac screen (on the left) and an added Samsung monitor (right).


NORMAL: I turn on computer; iMac screen has desktop, dock, bar, desktop files and folders, etc. Everything you would expect. On the Samsung monitor there is only the El Capitan image.


NORMAL: for example, I launch Safari from the dock and it opens up the iMac screen (where I had it open last); and for example I launch Excel from the dock and it opens up on the Samsung monitor (where I had it open last). IMPORTANT: I launch an called Bookhound from the dock and it opens on the Samsung monitor (where I had it open last). This is normal working procedure -- all very boring which is the way I like it.


NOW THE PROBLEM IS: I open Bookhound from the dock and the following happens: the desktop on the iMac screen and the El Capitan screen both shift LEFT, and iMac screen turns black, and the Samsung screen has the Bookhound app (rendered full size).


I can CTRL right one click and the iMac desktop and Safari screen are both where they were upon turning on the computer. I can CTRL left click to get back to the Bookhound app.


QUESTION; what do I do to make it so that Bookhound doesn't create an entirely NEW screen (separate from the two existing screens)?


Once again, I apologize if I am not explaining the problem correctly. Thank you for your patience!


Sincerely,


ML


Two monitor configuration: launching a particular app automatically creates 4th screen, toggling required (help!)

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