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

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.

0 comments

401 answers

Sort by: Most helpful
Most helpful Newest Oldest
  1. Anonymous
    2010-05-13T23:49:38+00:00

    Unbelievable, Microsoft has been aware of this issue at least since October 2009 and have done nothing to fix it.

    How lame this company is and how irresponsible to its customers. Having so many programmers on board they could have fix this issue long time ago with a simple patch and give us a break.

    Honestly I will wait another month and if they don't address the issue I will switch to Mac and never go back. I'm sick and tired of Microsoft man, like someone said on this thread I hope they get sued over and over and over again and loose $$$, millions of them, ...I will not feel sorry

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-13T05:12:41+00:00

    I just installed an IOGear GCS632U to a Windows 7 64 bit machine and a Windows XP and it works great.  And only $29.  I appreciate the tip I got from this (very long) string!

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  3. Anonymous
    2010-05-12T21:55:42+00:00

    18 000 views, and still nothing

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  4. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T17:18:03+00:00

    4 Port Starview DVI/VGA USB KVM Switch with audio when connected to a DVI monitor (HP 2709m) with DVI cables to the Windows 7 machine will work as intended. However, when a second computer is attached using VGA cables, the machines are never recognized.

    I am a volunteer trouble shooter for our computer club, and I bought this device to allow for my Win7 machine and WinXP machine to remain connected and then when other computers which come in to be worked on, Win7, Win Vista or Win XP, I can easily connect the third and/or fourth computers. Each could be running virus scans, Disk Defragmenter, etc., while other work could be accomplished.

    The time that it has taken to work on this issue has meant that I can no longer return the switch and the expensive cabling.

    My old Airlink 101 2-port VGA switch works well for the monitor when I simply shut down the Win 7 machine which connected to the monitor and connect a spare keyboard and mouse to the Airlink switch. But this is far from ideal.

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments
  5. Anonymous
    2010-05-10T16:47:37+00:00

    I have the same problem, but without the switch. Juan a 40'' LCD Toshiba connected to a ASUS EeeBox with an Nvidia ION.

    When I turn off the monitor and/or the computer, I have like a 40% chance that the resolution changes from 1920x1080 to some other (1280 x 768 or 1024 x 768).

    I NEED A SOLUTION!! PLEASE HELP

    Was this answer helpful?

    0 comments