I'll see if I can draw any conclusions through testing with this new info.
KVM switch + Windows 7 creates monitor switching nightmare
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Anonymous
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
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401 answers
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Anonymous
2010-01-22T10:40:35+00:00 -
Anonymous
2010-01-22T11:14:09+00:00 I have a DVI-D cabel (single link)
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Anonymous
2010-01-22T11:38:44+00:00 Xenubite, I am using an LG W2261VP-PF 22" widescreen LCD which is connected with a DVI-D cable to my GeForce 6800 GS. I've also posted my NVIDIA System Information Report in this thread.
I should also state that when I turn off my monitor, it simply turns off and I don't hear any "Device Disconnected" sound untill I press the power button and turn on my monitor back. When I press the power button to turn it back on, first I hear "Device Disconnected" sound and just after a second, the "Device Connected" sound. My monitor seems to be failing at constantly sending EDID while booting / turning on for about 1 second. There isn't any sound coming when I turn it off.
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Anonymous
2010-01-23T00:46:04+00:00 Kind of the same problem here with a DVI KVM and two Win7 workstations. It took about two weeks for me to get annoyed by this enough to try and fix the problem... and another week to end up here. My KVM worked fine until the day my two computers got migrated to Win7. I told the techs I thought it was way too soon to migrate anyone to Win7 because it was just out a couple of months ago or so... but who cares what the user has to say about it, right? So now I'm stuck with all my windows being resized each time I switch from one PC to the other... and on one of them, even the icons and gadgets are moved towards the left side of the desktop.
I'm also quite astounded at the attitude of the mod who said "well, we don't care that much... so go ahead and buy a new KVM. It's not like we're going to fix this for you!". Okay... he might not have used these exact words but... :+P
Anyway, my KVM is really cheap... but it works just as fine as major brands products (they're probable all made in the same Chinese factory anyway). Here's my info:
HP LP2475w - 1920x1200 native res.
StarTech STARVIEW SV231UADVI
nVidia 9800GTX+ on system #1
nVidia 6200LE on system #2
Both OSes are Win7 64bit (horrible... but true).
EDIT: Oh... and I tried the registry hack but it didn't do anything for me. :+( [runs out to weep in a dark corner of the office]
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Anonymous
2010-01-23T06:18:35+00:00 Well it seems Microsoft is getting record O/S sales with Windows 7, so it looks like the disatisfaction of the minority here isn't worth the minimal PR it would take for a tech to drop by and say
"Hey, I see the problems you guys are having. It's not top of our list but we want to get this sorted out, please bear with us while we research the problem."
or something similar to indicate the problem is acknowledged and in need of a solution to appease us.
Kind of disssapointing that a problem as plain as day as this can't penetrate the Microsoft machine - even with all the Microsoft support staff frequenting here.