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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).
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.
Had the problem on my mine with 2 x Geforce 8400. 2 19" Dells and a Samsung 2433. Switching the KVM would blank the samsung until redetected. As above it was after an update so removed all NVidia and reinstalled from the original CD the cards came with. Now all stable again.
Interesting how this question was started October 29, 2009 and not one solid resolution has evolved. Who actually reads these other than the posters?
I have had the same setup on my Windows 7 system for a very long time. My problem started after a series of Windows updates about 2-1/2-3 months ago.
There seems to be a very common set of standards listed:
SO THE ABOVE FACTORS SEEM TO RULE OUT HARDWARE AND DRIVER ISSUES.
Maybe I am reading the 35 plus posts here different than Microsoft, but I would conclude that it could be recreated and a solution could be found and made available.
I just came across this issue as well...this is ridiculous..I have to hit Detect to have the 1900x1200 Resolution be visible again just for it to disappear every time i switch between Windows 7 and WIndows XP Machines..and the Windows XP holds the setting fine.
Similar problem here: I have a Linkskey 4 port dual monitor KVM switch, one is DVI and the other is VGA. I have in my dual setup on each box, the DVI as primary, and the VGA as secondary.
port1: Win server 2003 w/ dual monitors
port2: Win XP x64 machine w/ dual monitors
port3: Windows 7 64 w/ dual monitors
port 4: Mac Pro snow leopard with one monitor (I have an apple 30" cinema display on the one port of that and the 2nd into 2nd port of the KVM)
For years the port 3 was also win xp x64 machine, everything worked like a charm. I upgraded one machine to windows 7 64 as I had a software upgrade in my studio requiring it. Now if I switch away from the Win7 machine to ANY of the other 4 ports and return, it returns on one monitor only (always to the the VGA monitor that is *not* selected as the main monitor in my setup, the DVI one is left "off"). So EVERY time I switch I then have to go to "Screen Resolution" and then click "Detect" and it will return them to the original state. Quite annoying.
Hi mdorais,
Thank you for visiting Microsoft Answers.
It is a problem found with those KVM switches which did not pass the console display's EDID and DDC information to all the systems connected to the KVM switch.
That explains when you switch/select to other channel of connected system, the connected system simply cannot recognize what display had been connected, so end up with setback to system default (normally is 800 x 600).
Windows 7 checks display and display card constantly different from what XP and other operating systems did.
To solve this issue, just replace the KVM switch with those KVM switches supporting FULL TIME/ Active DDC function.
Please check ConnectPRO new UR or PR serial KVM switches which support Active DDC function to all the ports.
Visit this link for more information:
http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/KVM-Win7.mspx
Regards,
Afzal-Microsoft Support.
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Thats simply unnacceptable. Seriously, your solution to changes MS made to its OS that changes how it works is to BUY NEW HARDWARE???! Ridiculous. MS has no business changing something without leaving legacy support for basic things like KVM switches that work with all other OS versions. Thats just completely an unnacceptable answer. My KVM Switch cost $500+ and was purchased within the last 2 years. There is no way MSFT should be doing these types of screwy policies.
