Display Well Types, Display Targets, and Data Collection Marker Windows not Centered in the AriaMx Software

Answer

This Information Applies To: Agilent AriaMx real-time PCR system, and AriaMx real-time PCR software

Issue

When hovering the cursor over the icons at the bottom center of the AriaMx software, the selection window appears in the bottom left corner instead of directly above the row of icons. This misalignment prevents you from changing the displayed well types or targets, as the selection window disappears when attempting to move the cursor over it.

Background

Figure 1 shows the expected behavior, where the selection window appears directly above the row of icons. Figure 2 shows the issue described in this article where the selection window is shifted to the left.

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Figure 1. Expected AriaMx software behavior
1. Display Well Types selection window at the center bottom of the software

Figure 2. Abnormal AriaMx software behavior
1. Display Well Types selection window, shifted to the left

Why is This Happening?

This issue is caused by the Windows menu panel alignment setting. This setting allows users to customize where menus appear on the screen based on their dominant hand. If set to right-handed, menus will appear to the left of the cursor. If set to left-handed, menus will appear to the right. The setting is stored in the Windows registry as follows:

HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows
MenuDropAlignment DWORD
0 = Open to right (left-handed)
1 = Open to left (right-handed)

Open a completed experiment and select the Raw Data or Graphical Displays screen. Complete the following steps. The numbers on Figure 3 correspond to the workaround steps.

1. Select the Display Well Types, Display Targets, or Data Collection Marker icon at the bottom of the software and do not move your cursor.
2. The selection window will appear on the left side of the screen.
3. Click and hold the left mouse button.
4. Move your cursor to the selection window.
5. Release the left mouse button. You can now make your preferred selection.

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Figure 3. Workaround to use the selection window. Numbers correspond to the workaround steps in the preceding list.

Editing the MenuDropAlignment Registry Key

Caution: The definitive fix involves modifying the Windows registry, which always presents a risk for the computer integrity. It is strongly recommended to backup the registry (File > Export...) before modifying it (Figure 4).

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Figure 4. Registry keys backup procedure
1. Select Windows search, 2. Search for Regedit, 3. Select Fille, 4. Select Export

To prevent the selection window shifting to the left, change the menu alignment setting of your computer to left-handed by setting the MenuDropAlignment registry key value to zero. The following steps describe how to set the MenuDropAlignment registry key value to zero. The numbers on Figure 5 correspond to the listed steps.

1. Select Windows search. 
2. Search for Regedit.
3. In the Registry Editor that appears enter the following path: Computer\HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\Windows.
4. Select the string MenuDropAligner (that is by default set to value one), and change the value to zero.
5. Restart the computer.

Figure 5. Editing the MenuDropAlignment registry key. Numbers correspond to the steps in the preceding list.

Learn how to effectively operate your Agilent AriaMx real-time PCR system: AriaMx Real-Time PCR System Setup and User Guide on Agilent.com Aria Real-Time PCR software User Manual on Agilent.com

For Research Use Only. Not for use in diagnostic procedures.

PR7001-3579