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Windows 7 RC versus Aten KVM Switch

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Aug 06, 2009
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Maybe it's a feature for Docking Laptops
by: Les

Me, I'm no expert by any means a haven't got a Laptop of my own just four or so desktops but I do wonder if the "hot" plug monitor facility that you refer to is to do with aiding the ability to dock Laptops into different docking stations.

Any advance on this possibility?

Regards,

Les.

Aug 06, 2009
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What a stupid feature in Windows 7
by: Super

Don't know if we should call it a problem of the KVM switch or not. Most KVM switch does not generate the EDID, it's just a new requirement in Windows 7.

However, this requirment is just for supporting a stupid feature that user can keep changing the monitor all the time while the computer keep power on...... how many people are using the computer in this way?

Now, Microsoft has "improve" the system for such users, and existing user with old KVM may not met the requirement.

Maybe...Microsoft knew that Windows 7 has some bugs that may burn the montior, so we may need to change the monitor all the time....So, thay made such "improvement" for changing monitor without power off the computer.

Microsoft should suggest people buy at least one more monitor for backup, or for testing this new feature of Windows 7.

Aug 02, 2009
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The 190.38 nVidia beta drivers are now WHQL
by: Les

The comment's Title really says it all.

The nVidia beta drivers 190.38 have now become the latest fully fledged release.

Regards,

Les.

Jul 23, 2009
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Interesting analysis Rex but......
by: Les

My Aten KVM switch did and still does switch just fine with the machine in the POST or in the BIOS screens. It was once Windows 7 and presumably the previous nVidia driver loaded that the crashes happened when the switch was operated.

With the latest albeit beta nVidia driver the system is stable when the KVM switch operated both before Windows is loaded and after Windows is loaded. This is true for both operation from the push-button switch and operation using the hotkeys option.

Jul 23, 2009
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Update the driver is just a temp workout solution
by: Rex Wu

It's OK now you have just a "temporary" solution by updating the driver of the graphic card.

The problem is when the driver is not totally loaded on top the OS bootup procedure and you can not "switch" to other channel/systems of your KVM switch. So, that what I means the solution is just not a transparent and prefer one.

I think a good KVM switch can easily soft this kind of problem by providing all the system connected (regardless which OSs the system loaded) Full-time Active DDC communication and keep them alive with connected or not selected systems.

You can check by yourself the MS's display guideline for KVM switch in Windows 7. The official release from Microsoft. http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/KVM-Win7.mspx

ConnectPRO UR or PR serial KVM switches do all provide these transparent functions.

Jul 18, 2009
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You're right to be proactive
by: Rex

Finding the truth and react quickly to what you believe. Most likely, your efforts will be noticed and appreciated.

Both you and the video card maker are doing a good job.

:-)

Jul 18, 2009
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Not so much lucky as proactive!
by: Les

I did post widely about the issue not just here but on a number of my favourite forums and sent feedback into nVida on the 186.18 driver release more than once stating what my problem was.

To their credit nVidia have responded very quickly issuing the beta and I have responded positively with suitable feedback to them on the 190.38 release.

Jul 18, 2009
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basically, the difference is Win 7 act differently for the device hotplug action
by: Rex

You're lucky that your video card vendor can come out with a new driver to temperately solve the issue for Windows 7.

Basically, to solve this issue you can have two options, software and hardware. Go software solution is just like what you just did - finding if the video card manufacturer releasing new driver to meet Windows 7's new way to deal with device hot-plug action.

Or you can also, go hardware solution to install a DDC ghost/emulator between the video out of the video card and KVM switch. Of cause, if you will add more Win 7 machines to the KVM switch, you may just want to replace a new generation of KVM switch which have built-in Active DDC feeder with all ports. (one DDC Ghost cost about US$70~65). Do your own calculation for best money saving.

How Windows 7 react differently for display hotplug ? Unlike the hotplug activity under Windows Vista, the default settings are not applied when a new display is hotplugged, and there is no message balloon alert stating that a new display was detected. Under Windows 7, all display connection and detection events are handled through the Windows 7 Connecting and Configuring Displays (CCD) mechanism.

So,this was what caused your Win 7 system crash.
Because when you switched to another port of the Aten KVM switch, the KVM switch did not keep the display control channel alive and Windows 7 detected the "switch" as "Display unplugged" and react/issue an error recover procedure with it.

Jul 18, 2009
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Eureka!
by: Les.

Eureka!

The nVidia 190.38 Beta Driver release has fixed the problem I had with my Aten CS52D KVM Switch crashing Windows 7 each and every time

the focus of this KVM switch was moved away from Windows 7.

I have installed the 190.38 beta release in both the 32 bit and 64 bit Windows 7 RC OS's and everything is rock solid and stable when

the KVM switch is operated in both versions.

The Betas took a bit of finding so for anyone else that might fancy trying them here are the links:

http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_winvista_32bit_190.38_beta.html

http://www.nvidia.com/object/win7_winvista_64bit_190.38_beta.html

Jul 12, 2009
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It's not the Windows 7's issue, but the KVM's.
by: ConnectPRO Rex

According to the Display guideline for KVM switch in Windows 7, Windows 7 does request the EDID information and communication between connected monitor and Windows 7 systems keep "alive" even when users using KVM switches.

Please refer to Windows 7's official link about this issue: http://www.microsoft.com/whdc/device/display/KVM-Win7.mspx

You need replace the Aten KVM switch with KVM switches which support "Full-time" active DDC/ EDID communication.

Rex

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