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

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-02-21T01:09:58+00:00

    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.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-02-21T19:14:21+00:00

    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.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-02-22T13:01:37+00:00

    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

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-22T14:15:06+00:00

    eliasb, you might want to try playing with the AMD External Event Utility service - this was suggested to me in answer to my thread about my issues.  It didn't help mine, but it might be worth a try for you. http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7desktop/thread/bb3c749e-f7cf-4a4c-8d82-8f956d2c1ce1

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  5. Anonymous
    2010-02-24T08:40:45+00:00

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

    Just a bump and reminder for MS, we are all still waiting here...

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