KVM switch + Windows 7 creates monitor switching nightmare

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).

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401 answers

Anonymous

2010-07-22T20:08:28+00:00

What you suggest unfortunately only applies to Vista, not Windows 7. Windows 7 does not have a TMM entry there, only Vista does.
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Anonymous

2010-07-22T20:08:37+00:00

There is no TMM task listed under MobilePC in the Task Scheduler.
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Anonymous

2010-07-29T16:05:38+00:00

I have the same issue using HP Elite Notebook, HP L2445w monitor and IOgear 'mini' KVM switch (USB powered). I can 'workaround' this issue by simply disconnecting the monitor cable from the back of my notebook docking station and re-connecting it. Not elegant, but better than buying a new KVM!
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Anonymous

2010-08-10T14:35:45+00:00

Ok since my last post, I've had no re-occurrence of the resolution setting changing when switching to another PC on my NOVA VIEW KNV104. This is a fairly old KVM, so I don't think this problem is as high-tech as I have been thinking. I am also starting to believe that while Windows 7 does switch the resolution (at least in my case), Windows 7 isn't the CAUSE. (Other Win 7 PCs keep the resolution when I've tested them). I do remember have the ATI Control Center on my PC back when I had my old monitor but uninstalling it and using JUST the drivers on my new monitor. So whenever I switched away from my new monitor the resolution would go back to my OLD monitors native 1400 x 1050. I think this was an artefact from the Ati CC. Putting the latest version of ATI CC seems to have fixed my problem. Of course there could have been a sneaky Windows update....

I am not sure how many people this will help, but anyone with an ATI card, it must be worth a shot. You can try and uninstall ATI CC if you have it and reinstall the latest version, and if you don't have it, install it. See if that affects your resolution switching problem - one thing's for sure it's better than anything MS have come up with! Buy a new KVM -great advice...NOT!
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Anonymous

2010-08-12T10:05:34+00:00

My issue is with windows 7 x6 a kvm and two 2 monitors.

When switching back from a single PC via the kvm, my 2nd screen turns off and I have to open nvida control panel and redetect my 2nd screen so i can use it again.

This KVM worked without issue on windows 7 x32 but I've just upgraded the OS not any hardware at all. All drivers are at thier latest versions.

:(
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