KVM switch + Windows 7 creates monitor switching nightmare

Anonymous
2009-10-29T16:44:18+00:00

I have a problem with Windows 7 and my KVM switch (Iogear model# gcs1764) which is makes switching via KVM an absolute nightmare.  The iogear KVM does not use drivers nor are any available on their website.

Here's what happens:

I switch from Win 7 (2 monitors) to XP (1 monitor) via KVM.  When I switch back to Win 7 (2 monitors) sometimes Win 7 will throw my desktop to the 2nd monitor (1st monitor goes blank) and opening up display settings only shows the 2nd monitor as existing.  It's as if the 1st monitor is now unplugged which it isn't.  At this point I have to go into display settings, click Detect, and then it re-detects my 1st monitor and "extends" my desktop back out over 2 monitors.  All windows have now been thrown to my 1st monitor and i have to rearrange all my work back across 2 monitors.  This is why KVM switching in Win 7 makes my work life a living nightmare.  This isn't all of it either...

When everything gets thrown to my first monitor, it takes any windows that were maximized and resizes them to about 1/4 my screen size.  Due to compatibility issues between Win 7 and SQL Server Management Studio, Management Studio has a redraw bug that doesn't "re-size" the query window correctly.  So even though I maximize the app, when I start typing in the query window my text disappears about 1/4 the way across the whole window.  The only way to fix this is to save all my work, close the app, and then re-open the app with all my work.  So basically every time I switch computers there's about a 1/5 chance I have rinse and repeat everything I just typed above.  Fun times.

So are there any future fixes planned for this?  I have tried everything and nothing fixes this problem.  I have all the latest Nvidia drivers (my card: Nvidia GTS 250).

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

0 comments

401 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-04-02T23:42:49+00:00

    So they actually called it a fault? That is surprising.  I figured they would do nothing because in their narrow minds there is nothing to fix. 

    No, "fault" is my term, not theirs.  I'll be reverting to XP.  I find it too irritating to deal with.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-04-02T18:49:20+00:00

    I've now received a reply from technical support and been told that there is no intention of fixing the fault. 

    So they actually called it a fault? That is surprising.  I figured they would do nothing because in their narrow minds there is nothing to fix. 

    So now all we are left with is the possibility of a hacker fix. :(  or say the heck with win7 and the eye candy, and revert to something that works.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-04-02T15:51:20+00:00

    I've now received a reply from technical support and been told that there is no intention of fixing the fault. 

    Big surprise... LOL

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-04-02T15:49:59+00:00

    I was serarching for the answer as well and i think i got the real solution

     

    I am using a software called powerstrip. It let you not only fix the resolution but let you customize the resolution. Give it a shot.

     

     

    Good day

     I had already posted about this back in February. It lets you control refresh rates and create custom resolutions... but it didn't fix my original problem (windows resized and icons moved).

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2010-04-01T15:19:27+00:00

    I've now received a reply from technical support and been told that there is no intention of fixing the fault.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments