if it is a problem to make them run in fullscreen, what about running them in window mode but with your screen resolution and then use javas setLocation() to position the Window where you want it.

Thanks a lot cedrickiefer, that's been my solution by now, but it is still a big problem when autolaunching the apps. (related to point 2 of my question). If I run them as screen and move them, I have to test for the window location every draw() as sometimes, it is not moved to the desired location (title bar and control box is not moved outside the viewing window). so I have to continuously check it and if it's not, it will move it. that consume a bit of processing power every time (yes, I know, complaining for an if statement, but still ).

so it seems as Windows (XP, Vista and 7) executed the startup programs before some desktop procedures as it forces the windows to be within the viewable area.

still, a solution is a solution, so that's what I'll keep using (the other problem becomes the borders of the window, so, is there a way to create an applet borderless and no title bar and no control box?)

the other issue is my point 2. when ran automatically at startup, sometimes the applet does not get the correct resolution. is there a way of fixing this? I would not like to be checking everything in draw again, as that would really kill the applet performance, specially if I have to recreate everything buffers, images, etc, as everything gets modified according to resolution...