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
    2010-10-07T08:34:27+00:00

    I also have the single monitor issue. I just setup an Aopen DEX4501 with Intel GM45+ICH9M chipset with GMA X4500MHD, W7 ultimate 64bit, Grundig TV via HDMI. Lates drivers from intel 8.15.10.2202 25Aug2010. Running at 1600x900 as 1920x1080 cuts the edges off the image for some reason. When I turn off the monitor, or switch to VGA (2nd computer) and back the windows are moved resized. The bottom right of the window is now at 1024x768. Microsoft please fix as this os not a good out-of-box experience...

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-10-03T13:43:00+00:00

    This answer sums up my frustration with computers.  Does nobody get it ?  I am a very experienced and capable computer user. Suddenly, my monitors are reversed for no reason...just out of the blue.  I search for an answer.  I get this ...

    "

    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.

    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.

    "

    Forgive me for having a life but I have no idea what any of this means and I don't want to spend a few months figuring it out.  I just want my monitors to work.  They did yesterday and today they don't.  WTF ?

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-09-24T15:49:31+00:00

    After going through this entire thread and trying several of the no-thanks-to-Micro$oft solutions, I ended up rolling back my display adapter drivers... and it worked.

    I'm using an Nvidia Geforce GT 220, dual monitors on a cheapy Raritan 4 port KVM and was having the same issue as many others.  Win 7 on one machine, XP on the other.  Extended desktop hangs tight when switching TO the XP machine, but when switching back, my DVI display would 'go dead' and my VGA display would inherit the desktop from it.

    Guess I'll hang out on my old driver version (8.16.11.9062) for awhile.

    p.s.

    I agree with an earlier poster about the lack of a cursor.  What a nuisance.

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-09-23T05:12:12+00:00

    I noticed that microsoft's solution for this is for us to buy new hardware - because its entirely the end users fault for what hardware they own.

    Us users should have anticipated this and bought the kvm switches (that did not yet exist) that would have been compatible with windows 7. See it's our fault.

    Im very thankful that microsoft has identified the problem as "us".

    My only question is, where is the link to get the credit / voucher for the KVM switch upgrade to be redeemed by microsoft? I mean... do they really expect us to go out and pay for one, often for more than the price of the OS itself, just to run the new OS? Really??? that would have to rate up there within the most utterly pathetic examples of a product "upgrade" in the history of humanity. Good job microsoft!!!!

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  5. Anonymous
    2010-09-19T18:59:51+00:00

    I have a nVidia 7900 GS and finally found the drivers that do not exhibit this problem when I switch back-and-forth using my KVM as per this thread:

    http://www.sevenforums.com/drivers/9295-w7-nvidia-geforce-7xxx-dual-monitor-support.html

    The driver version that works for me is 186.18, straight from the nVidia archived drivers download page. You can search their archived drivers here:

    http://www.nvidia.com/Download/Find.aspx?lang=en-us

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