KVM switch + Windows 7 creates monitor switching nightmare

I have a similar problem, although not as bad as some of you have. 

I have a laptop computer with an extra display connected through a KVM. Switching between displays works perfectly. The problem is that the laptop now and then turns off the extra display and moves all windows to the main display. Just one second later it seems to rediscover the extra display and turns it on again, with all windows moved to the external display. This happens every few minutes, very randomly, sometimes only 10 seconds apart, sometimes 5 minutes or so between the blackouts.

The problem is only with Windows 7, not XP.

There is no problem when the monitor is directly connected to the computer.

The switch does support EDID according to the specifications.

In the Event Viewer, event 43029 is logged every time the screen blackouts; message "Display is not active"; source "atikmdag".

Hardware: KVM Aten CS1734B, graphics card ATI FirePro M7740

OS: Windows 7 Profession 64-bit

From my perspective, having to implement any hacks is unacceptable.

It is indeed. But what other choice has MS left us with but to hope for a hack? Let's be realistic here: If they had decided to address such an obvious flaw in their product, they would have announced so at the end of last year and a solution would already be available by now. Instead, they've clearly decided to let this die out on its own so to not alienate their corporate partners... and once again, rely on the hackers community to fix what they are unwilling/unable to. This is a very practical way for them to fix a problem because it doesn't cost a penny and if by fixing it hackers also by-pass any rights management measure(s), they can always blame hackers and wash their hands of it.  ;+)

Any other company would not dare risk turning its back on its user base to profit any type of secret corporate deal. But MS know they can get away with almost anything... and so they do.

From my perspective, having to implement any hacks is unacceptable.  I expect basic functionality to be provided by MS.  As has been said, this isn't just an issue with displays connected by KVMs.  An OS that can't properly use a display doesn't have basic functionality, as far as I'm concerned.

People, don't forget to click the button at the top to ask Microsoft for this to be answered.

It was suggested above that this was a digital rights management-related issue.  The manufacturer of my device has told me that Microsoft has added the "active DDC" as a digital rights management tool.  From what they told me, it is to keep people from playing downloaded movies on computers other than the one they downloaded the movie on.  If this "feature" has been deliberately installed by Microsoft, then a fix seems unlikely. 

I don't download movies, I don't even have an internet connection on the relevant computers.  I do not intend spending my money to buy more equipment because Microsoft wants to stop me from doing something I don't do in the first place.  I find it completely unacceptable.  Business users would presumably feel the same way - they won't be downloading movies, but they'll want to use a display.

When it comes to rights management, MS have always gone the extra mile to ensure that their solution is as annoying to the user as possible. And it's clearly not going to change anytime soon. So once again, we're left to finding ways to pirate or OS or trick it somehow... so that in the end it works as it should! As I said weeks ago, our best hope stills seems to lie in the fact that a talented coder could find himself frustrated by the same problem as us. If someone comes up with a nice hack, I'll be the first to try it... 'cause this OS is starting to drive me mad! :+(

WAKEY WAKEY MICROSOFT.

ARE YOU ACTUALLY GOING TO BOTHER DOING SOMETHING ABOUT THIS OR DO YOU JUST LIKE P!SS!NG OFF YOUR CUSTOMERS?