KVM switch + Windows 7 creates monitor switching nightmare

Continuing the saga and getting closer to page 40 of it, let's add another alternative: Remote Desktop Assistance. It works very good, can handle multiple connections and if the need of high definition graphics isn't there, it's a good complement to KVM switches. No delay time either when switching between machines (as in the XP times...).

I've recently been doing this with success, but it doesn't apply to all situations.

That said, running the other unit headless does provide an alternative.

The only caveats are

1. headless machine must be pro (or ultimate?) to allow for RDP without the need to send a help request
2. For those of us that are also doing machine imaging and initial installs its a no-go.

Obviously the OS needs to be up and running first.

3. Some prefer a KVM . . . :(

Continuing the saga and getting closer to page 40 of it, let's add another alternative: Remote Desktop Assistance. It works very good, can handle multiple connections and if the need of high definition graphics isn't there, it's a good complement to KVM switches. No delay time either when switching between machines (as in the XP times...).

This being the 387th reply to the anomaly brings me back to note it was started a very long time ago and ironically it appears the 2nd post as a reply from a Microsoft staff member stating basically for us all to go "buy a new KVM switch".

Now I am all for the latest and greatest hardware and software and often do get excited to purchase new technology. I am sure Microsoft and many others are experiencing to effects of a slow economy. So keeping market share will become harder and harder and new purchases are certainly less then in past.

So let's put this all in prospective.

1. The original poster to this subject got an answer immediately (in Microsoft time) an answer. "BUY A NEW KVM SWITCH" bottom line end of subject. Thank you Microsoft for your rapid and direct response.
2. Many have put in suggestions of registry tweaks, hardware additions with modifications and even some software that may trick the OS. All are valiant efforts to HELP Microsoft evade the solution or need to respond to the 385 other postings.
3. Many have actually pinpointed that a Microsoft update is directly related to the timing of this problem, bug, hiccup, glitch, sun spot flare created annoyance. So this means it could be narrowed down to what actually created the annoyance.

SIDE note: for an interesting perspective of what Microsoft developers think and joke about their own idiosyncrasies view this: http://channel9.msdn.com/Events/TechEd/NorthAmerica/2010/WCL315

Now this brings me to why I have revisited this post.....

I have been putting up with this annoyance as I just do not feel it is worth investing any further expense in hardware or registry tweaks to resolve this annoyance.

NEW PROBLEM!!!!

I was on one of my other systems connected to my IOGear KVM switch that has a single video output which I do daily and often in a days time. I was surfing the web on my Windows 8 system and then out of the blue the monitor connected as the primary to my Windows 7 system made the sound I get when the extended monitor goes out typically. Then the windows that should be displayed on the primary magically switch to the secondary monitor on it's own and then went blank (like sleep mode). When I switched back to the Windows 7 system on my KVM BOTH monitors went dark and then display there was no video signal to both. I cycled my KVM through all and returned to the Windows 7 system.

Now wait for it!

The displayed first showed up on the secondary monitor then immediately switched the windows back to the primary they where on originally and even more surprising the EXTENDED monitor reactivated on it's own and had all the same windows and display it had on previously!

Just in case someone actually reads this:

OS - Windows 7 Enterprise (x64) Service Pack 1 (build 7601)

MB - ELITEGROUP COMPUTER SYSTEM CO.,LTD. NFORCE6M-A 1.0

(BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 11/22/2007)

CPU - 2.80 gigahertz AMD Athlon 7850 Dual-Core

MEM - GSkill 8192 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory

Video - NVIDIA GeForce 8400 GS

Primary Monitor - Acer X233HZ

Secondary Monitor - Acer X223W

KVM - IOGear GCS14 MiniView™ Compact KVM Switch Kit w/Cables

The saga continues................

Afzal

You have got to be kidding me mate,this is a classic Microsoft Stuff Up.

 Firstly Microsoft needs to get their heads out of their  backsides (denoting ignorant dark place) with this one and secondly you really need to get past the attitude of looking down your noses at everyone else and treating the rest of the world like idiots anyone with an ounce of brains and self respect left in the IT sector, doesn't work for MS, they have more sense than that, because of that reason actually and because they have better things to do.

Now that I've had my rant, I have the same problem with my "Aten Master-View Dual-VGA USBKVM" switch, whenever I switch to one of the other 4 PC's attached to the KVM and then back again to Win 7 everything has moved across the the 2nd monitor and the default LCD is black and has literally vanished, no longer in the Device manager,

So to get the Default Monitor back  I have to right Click Monitors & select "Scan for Hardware changes" then the default monitor returns and from there I have to rearrange everything back to where it was before I switched.

This problem has only been evident on my System, from the early stages after installing Win 7 Service Pack 1.

Now tell me that isn't a fault with windows 7 and I will start believing in "Flying Elephants" & "Pink Fairies" It's obvious that it was/is a Windows 7 Update that has/is causing the problem, even "Blind Freddie" can see that Microsoft, why can't you.

The other main problem is that those of us with this issue are just a minority, a noiseless and not vocal enough minorithy, so they don't take notice.

Willy Hunt

I've been tracking this for some time as I too suffer from this issue (KVM + 2 monitors).

For our newcomers . . .

There has been a lot of cross posting on video card drivers, etc.

For those tuning in, this issue is specifically related to EDID/ DDC information not being broadcasted to all connected systems by the switch.

Windows periodically polls for connected monitors, and the inactive system "forgets" its previous monitor connection through the KVM.

Driver related solutions merely provide a work around, this is not an ATI or NVidia specific issue.

Possible solution / Request for MS:

It is clear that MS will not provide a mechanism to alter the basic mechanics of the polling model.

Would there be the possibility of a "power toy" to emulate EDID responses in software?  This may not be trivial is this is currently done by some card makers at the driver level.  It would, however, provide a solution to affected users without re-architecting system functions or exposing protected API's.

I have placed a request for such a program at Microsoft's Sysinternals site, and encourage everyone to chime in on the thread.

Forum Home > Sysinternals Utilities > Utilities Suggestions ->

EDID Emulation for KVM/Win7 Compatability

http://forum.sysinternals.com/topic26881_post131427.html

Above was posted on Page 36, I continue to encourage all comers to up-vote this power toy request!

In the mean time, per my Page 37 Post:

Quote:

...  zBar (which more by luck than design) also provides a mechanism to solve the problem.  Again this program interacts with Windows 7's EDID polling mechanism.

To All Others:

I encourage everyone to see my previous post on Page 36.

I created a request for a PowerToy from sysinternals.  If enough people vote for it . . . 

Also please mark my page 36 post as helpful to hopefully increase visibility. 

In the meantime zBar is an indirect solution.  Many thanks to Tom Revell!!!!!