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
    2010-07-16T01:46:47+00:00

    No, it's not the monitor.  It's the operating system searching for monitors instead of just loading a selected resolution.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-07-16T03:39:24+00:00

    Alright, have you all tried killing TMM?

    1. Open the Control Panel
    2. Click Administrative Tools -> Computer Management.
    3. In the left pane, expand Task Scheduler, Task Scheduler Library, Microsoft, Windows, and click on MobilePC.
    4. In the middle pane, right click on TMM.
    5. Click on Disable.
    6. Close Task Scheduler.
    7. Logoff and logon, or restart the computer to see the change.

    You could also try and kill the Hardware Detection Service, but that's a bit iffy.

    Let me know if this works,

    Thanks!

    I am in no way affiliated with Microsoft. The information supplied by me is without warranty and stipulates no rights. Use the information I supply at your own risk.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-17T01:09:16+00:00

    Did the above work? I know you all have tried the registry switch, but perhaps changing it in the GUI has a different outcome

    I am in no way affiliated with Microsoft. The information supplied by me is without warranty and stipulates no rights. Use the information I supply at your own risk.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-07-17T01:23:49+00:00

    Did the above work?

    Thanks for the suggestion, but from my perspective I'm done with trying things.  I've abandoned the OS as non-functional.  When I've paid hundreds of dollars for something, I expect it to work, I don't intend to keep trying to fix it myself.  I'll fiddle with free linux.  Beyond a reasonable point (which I've reached) I won't fiddle with something I've paid good money for.  Enough is enough.

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  5. Anonymous
    2010-07-17T01:36:47+00:00

    From a certain standpoint I agree with you, however, those who do not have the luxury to switch or simply are not technically inclined enough to know how may appreciate finding a fix for this. I am more out of curiosity than a necessity. 

    I am in no way affiliated with Microsoft. The information supplied by me is without warranty and stipulates no rights. Use the information I supply at your own risk.

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