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
    2010-01-18T05:57:52+00:00

    Hmm that does sound worth a try then.. thanks for the headsup.

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T05:55:38+00:00

    I normally use just one monitor. I tried plugging in another one, and everything does appear to work OK. The primary monitor is connected through the KVM switch using the EDID override, and the other one directly. I just plugged it in, didn't do anything else.

    I extended the desktop to both monitors, and if I now turn off the primary one, or switch to the XP box, the secondary monitor stays secondary, basically nothing happens. Turning on the primary monitor or switching back to W7 box restores the desktop the way it was.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T03:13:59+00:00

    You could test it by pressing the off button on one of your monitors. Does it resize the desktop?

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-01-18T03:08:23+00:00

    Dunno. If the problem is only caused by the monitor info not passing through the KVM switch, I think it may. There may well be other issues too.

    In my case it made it possible to use resolutions above 1600x1200, and refresh rates other than 60Hz, and the settings stick when rebooting or switching between computers.

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  5. Anonymous
    2010-01-17T06:35:05+00:00

    Does this solution also address the problems reported in this thread in addition to the locked 60hz you experienced?

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