Java Swing over Remote Desktop - Strange, weird GUI squashing

I thought this question fits SuperUser more than StackOverflow because it's not about actual Java programming, though programmers might be more likely to encounter the problem. Anyway, let me start of with some stats before I ask the actual question:

Laptop:

Windows 7 x32
Screen resolution 1024 x 768; Nvidia GeForce Go 6200
Connected to desktop via ad-hoc wireless network
Access internet via desktop

Desktop:

Windows 7 x64
Screen resolution 1920 x 1080
Connected to laptop via ad-hoc wireless network
Access internet via cable modem

I'm connecting to my laptop via Remote Desktop from my desktop to take advantage of the large screen. I'm doing programming on my laptop (for portability reasons). Everything else runs smooth and fast over Remote Desktop as both computers are connected directly over the ad-hoc wireless.

The only problem is this: Java Swing apps don't display the GUI properly. I acquired a Java Swing application and I'm debugging it in Eclipse. Here's what I got when I ran the app:

enter image description here

Apparently there doesn't seem to be anything wrong with the GUI application I'm debugging, because the Java Control Panel exhibits the same problem.

I've searched high and low in Google about this; the closest I came to a solution is this. But sadly, the use of -Dsun.java2d.nodraw=true has no effect at all.

This only happens over Remote Desktop. I have tried locally and the GUI apps display properly. This isn't a dealbreaker for me as I can stop using Remote Desktop when developing Java Swing apps. However, I would like to know if anyone has encountered this and found any solution.

PS: All software involved (Eclipse, Java JRE, etc.) are latest versions.

ADTC

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 2 649

What settings are you using under display, experience, etc.. under options (Remote Desktop Connection)? – Rob – 2012-02-12T13:26:25.733

Thanks for the edit Journeyman Geek. @Mike: Full Screen, Highest Quality (32-bit), Audio transfer off, Device/Resource sharing fully off, High-speed broadband, Font smoothing, Desktop composition, Visual styles. (That's all) – ADTC – 2012-02-13T03:56:05.720

I haven't found a solution to rectify this, but upon further testing, I found that Java GUI apps work properly when I set the color depth to anything lower than "Highest Quality (32 bit)" (The available options are 24 bit, 16 bit and 15 bit.) Java has this problem only when I set the color depth to 32 bit. Could someone using Remote Desktop test this please to determine if it's a bug in Java VM? – ADTC – 2012-02-14T09:51:41.013

Answers

I can tell you that in the past I have had to set the color depth a little lower than the highest setting when viewing certain applications via remote desktop connection such as Eclipse.

In regards to a possible bug in the Java VM, refer to this answer for more information. I highly doubt this is the case since you haven't received any error messages pertaining to the inability of creating a Java Virtual Machine... but it's still worth checking out!

Rob

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 616

Strangely, Eclipse (Indigo SR1) seems to run just fine. I would still hold on to my speculation that this is a bug in Java VM because when the computer uses the RDP display driver in 32-bit color depth, this problem occurs, but when it uses the Nvidia display driver, it doesn't occur. Perhaps the JVM is having problems when interfacing with the RDP driver in 32 bit color (if anything of that sort actually happens), while no problem with 24 bit and lower? – ADTC – 2012-02-14T14:34:18.793

That doesn't surprise me (RDP vs. Nvidia), especially after comparing the specs of both display drivers. I think the issue with the JVM would be a memory issue but then again that's just speculation. Regardless, is everything operating properly now? – Rob – 2012-02-14T16:21:43.103

what do you mean "comparing the specs of both display drivers"? RDP display driver is not for any real hardware. It's a driver used by Windows (of remote client) when I log in to a remote desktop session. So I don't understand what you mean by specs of RDP driver. "is everything operating properly now?" No in 32 bit color depth. Partially yes in anything lower (as explained before). I want to use 32 bit color depth because the window frames switch to Basic theme in anything lower. PS: JVM doesn't complain of any memory deficit. It just screws up the Swing GUI. – ADTC – 2012-02-14T17:16:35.247

I was confused with your statements "when the computer uses the RDP display driver" and "when it uses the Nvidia display driver"... it sounded as if you were swapping them out or something. My bad. By specs I mean their capabilities. Nevermind my previous post, I misinterpreted your explanation. I'm going to continue researching and I'll let you know if I find anything. – Rob – 2012-02-14T18:31:21.470

Well, I haven't found anything. As stated before, I have been in situations (I also understand your disappointment) like this before and at the very least I knew my program was running properly when I turned down the settings on the depth. Sigh, I too really wish it would display properly when using higher settings. – Rob – 2012-02-19T20:08:45.380

It's OK @Mike, thanks for your time and effort. Anyway like I said, it's not a big deal to me. Just wondering if there's a solution to it. I can live with 24-bit color depth whenever necessary, though I don't like it. (Strange they still call it "True Color") – ADTC – 2012-02-20T10:16:51.843

I simply changed the color to 32 bit in both my desktop and RDP client and Java looked perfect.

RJ Bobin

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 61

I had the same problem and changing the color depth did not work for me. This:

-Dsun.java2d.d3d=false

seemed to work for me:

JayFar

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 61

Not sure why this was downvoted. I just tried it because I was having the same issue and it fixed the problem. +1 from me – StormeHawke – 2013-12-11T20:29:31.127

I had a situation where my Java GUI would fail to paint completely, that is, all of the contents of the main window were stale and would not refresh when running on remote desktop.

Adding

-Dsun.java2d.d3d=false

also fixed it for me.

user325595

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 21

I tried to start a Docker Image with auto install IntelliJ or Eclipse within the Container but i always got a blank content window for privacy, license and installation. I did this on a CentOS 7 Machine logged on via RDP Connection.

Then i saw that local installed Application OpenJdk Privacy Tool has the same problem, it starts but it does not show the content of the App, no buttons, no text...just a blank white screen.

I did search by google and find some workarounds which all does not help.

xhost + initx startx _JAVA_AWT_WM_NONREPARENTING=1 export DISPLAY=localhost:10.0 (and different more solutions around this)

I did try to install compiz and so on......nothing does help!

The Solution:

When connecting via RDP to the CentOS Machine set the Color max. Depth to High Color 16 Bit - not more (not 24 Bit, not 32 Bit)! Then you will see the content of such Apps/Programs using Swing / Awt / Java which has this content showing problem!

user946062

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 11

My same problem was fixed after I logged off windows and logged on again for the user connected to Remote Desktop (NOT merely disconnecting from Remote Dekstop).

user43308

Posted 2012-02-12T09:05:38.817

Reputation: 111