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
    2009-12-03T08:11:46+00:00

    My issue is that every time i turn my monitor off, Windows 7 rearrange and resize my desktop windows. This probably happens because win7 change the resolution of the desktop when the monitor gets 'un-plugged' (in reality just turned off).

    Please give us the option to turn the automatic screen resolution change-thing off. ****

    I found a solution that works!

    My situation is a single monitor. When I switch it off and on, windows were resized and moved to the top left corner.

    I now have this fixed: http://lemon.soju.co.uk/2009/12/03/windows-7-monitor-problem/

    It requires installing VNC and using another PC or iPhone to VNC to the machine though - but at least it works.

    Hope this helps people!

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-12-03T07:15:07+00:00

    I have 2 systems on a gcs 1764 IOGear switch both are win 7 64 bit and both keep 1680x1050 resolutions (my monitor's max) perfectly without hiccups unlike any of you which I find good to see yet still odd. One system is an Intel graphics card, the other is nvidia 7900 gs.

     For some reason however, when either system allows the display to sleep, the screen prepares to sleep then wakes back up saying "no signal detected", then precedes to go back to sleep and wake back up again. This occurs across all input selections except for input 4 which I have no cables attached. Once I unplug the running win7's dvi cable, the monitor sleeps as normal so I know its win7 causing the occurrence. What in the world is causing this?

    Edit: I am only noticing such behavior on this particular 20" Sceptre lcd I am using - seems fine on a 42" Samsung lcd. Bleh.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-12-02T23:45:37+00:00

    Thank you Kevin for looking into this!!  Here's my info again just in case anyone missed it:

    KVM: Iogear, model# gcs1764

    Graphics Card: XFX, Nvidia GTS 250

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-12-02T15:07:42+00:00

    Similar issue. Once the monitor/or PC is turned off, going back to it with the KVM switch screws up the resolution. (Sets it much lower)

    Switch: Trendnet 4-port USB - TK-407

    Port 1: Win Xp, Nvida 210

    Port 2- Win 7, Nvida 7300gs.

    Both using VGA ports.

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  5. Anonymous
    2009-12-02T08:48:39+00:00

    Ditto.  Adding hardware to solve a software problem is a solution that's dead on arrival.  I just want to be able to turn my HDMI extended monitor off overnight and not have to rearrange my collapsed dual desktop when I turn it back on in the morning!

    That this is a software bug is illustrated by the fact that collapsing everything to the primary monitor doesn't happen when I turn the secondary off but happens when I turn it back ON!  D'oh.

    A patch or registry fix is absolutely the only tolerable solution.  It's not about KVM, it's about an OS problem.  Find the fix.  Please don't insult us by suggesting a KVM hardware replacement when we are not even using one.

    A collapsed rearrangement should ONLY occur if I explicitly revert from dual to single display via the control panel.  No other behavior is justifiable.

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