Multiple monitors + old (USB) KVM + Windows 7 Solution
May 13th 2011 -
Recently I had problems with my old KVM switch. I have two machines hooked up to my KVM – one dual monitor WIndows 7 PC, and Linux HTPC. When I switched KVM outputs, my windows machine always acted like the non-KVM connected monitor has been blasted into oblivion, breaking my two monitor configuration.
Only way I found to get my settings back was to use “Screen Resolution – Detect Display” button – but this process was slow and very inefficient.
I’ve searched the net for answers, only to find that Windows 7 does this "by design”.
So, after uncle Google has failed me, I decided to sit down and deal with the problem myself. It took me about an hour, but now I can proudly present to you, one and magnificent, ultimate, old-KVM dual-monitor anti-configuration-breaking tool – KVM Display Detect.
KVM Display Detect download (free, of course)
How does it work? It simply scans your USB ports looking for HID devices. When you change output on old KVM, you disconnect your USB mouse. After you change it back – you reconnect it. KVMDD waits for this signal, and after detecting it, it runs system utility to force display re-enumeration. Simple, and works well.
Tags: Dual Display, KVM, KVM Display Detect, Software, Windows 7