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: Oldest
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T03:13:59+00:00

    You could test it by pressing the off button on one of your monitors. Does it resize the desktop?

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T05:55:38+00:00

    I normally use just one monitor. I tried plugging in another one, and everything does appear to work OK. The primary monitor is connected through the KVM switch using the EDID override, and the other one directly. I just plugged it in, didn't do anything else.

    I extended the desktop to both monitors, and if I now turn off the primary one, or switch to the XP box, the secondary monitor stays secondary, basically nothing happens. Turning on the primary monitor or switching back to W7 box restores the desktop the way it was.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T05:57:52+00:00

    Hmm that does sound worth a try then.. thanks for the headsup.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T13:18:53+00:00

    Looks like W7 is able to suck the EDID info from a directly connected monitor even when the monitor is off, and even when the power cord is unplugged. Only when I unplug the VGA cable from the second monitor the desktop readjusts to fit everything into the primary monitor.

    So with EDID info W7 can tell between "on", "off but plugged", and "unplugged" states. When the info is not available, like when going through a KVM switch, it can only detect "on" and "off", which it appears to interpret as "unplugged".

    The EDID override helps, because then W7 will always think the monitor is either on, or off but plugged. I really wish there was some easier way to get it to work though. Perhaps a reg or INF file that would fill the required fields with some generic VESA compliant EDID info.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T18:14:29+00:00

    Xenubite's solution does appear to work.

    I just applied it to my primary workstation and rebooted without the KVM set to that computer.  Once it had time to fully start up - I went back and lo and behold I was at 1920x1200 :)

    To me this is more of a workaround - basically you are tricking the system into believing that the Default Monitor has the same specifications as your existing monitor.  This solution could cause issues with Notebooks if you move between locations with different monitors.

    Once I get caught up from my vacation I just got back from - my next test will be to install Windows 7 drivers and see if the system still displays - my bigger concern was that I couldn't even see anything with Windows 7's Built-In (or NVidia Windows 7 Updated) Drivers.  I had to install the last Vista Drivers without the KVM installed in order to get the system working.

    Joseph W. Leathlean

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments