Oddball multimonitor question


  1. Posts : 55
    7HP
       #1

    Oddball multimonitor question


    Hello there, I'm hoping someone might have an answer to this.

    My setup is as follows:

    PC with dualhead video card (GeForce 8400GS)
    1x VGA Port
    1x DVI Port

    My DVI monitor is attached directly to the video card's DVI port and is configured as my primary monitor in Windows 7.

    My VGA monitor is connected to a KVM switch. VGA for PC1 on the KVM switch is connected to my video card's VGA port, and the monitor is configured as my secondary display.

    VGA for PC2 on the KVM switch is connected to whatever second computer I am working on (I fix computers and plug them into the KVM whenever I need to work on them).

    So, the final setup works like this:
    My secondary monitor displays Outlook, Messenger, etc.. when the KVM switch is set to my main computer. When I switch the KVM switch over to the computer I am fixing, my secondary monitor switches to display whatever is showing on the computer I am fixing.

    This was all working just fine under windows Vista (like most things that broke in 7).

    Now what happens is when I switch to the second computer and then back to my main computer, my VGA monitor now becomes the primary monitor and my DVI monitor doesn't show anything. Each time I have to go into display properties, re-detect the monitors, drag the windows back to my secondary monitor, etc..

    Any tips on resolving this?

    Thanks!

    CN: Secondary VGA monitor connected via KVM switch to primary PC reverts back to primary monitor when KVM switch is switched to second computer then back to primary computer, DVI monitor requires manual re-detection to get it to show desktop.
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 650
    Windows 7 Ultimate x64
       #2

    Use Nvidia Control panel software (Download from Nvidia drivers / additional software or search for control panel on the Nvidia driver site) and use the "setup multiple displays" to arange them in the correct location relative to each other, then use Microsoft display settings "Screen Resolution" to set primary to main display and multiple displays set to "Extend desktop to this display" to setup the secondary monitor. also drag the monitors to correct location relative to each other here also.

    This is my setup and I use 3 monitors with 2 9800GT video cards. My Left monitor (Optiquest Q171b) runs off card 1 left DVI with vga adapter, Center monitor (Sceptre 24") runs off card 1 right DVI (set to primary monitor), and my Right monitor (Optiquest Q171b) runs off of Mainview 4 port KVM monitor out which is connected to card 2 left DVI with vga adapter. Right hand monitor is also connected to additonal PC's and servers through the KVM as needed. I also use the KVM to provide Keyboard and mouse to all pc's. Glad I'm not the only one to figure this setup out.

    As desktop - 50" on three monitors:
    Oddball multimonitor question-3-monitor-windows-desktop.jpg

    2 monitors Desktop and Server on Right monitor:
    Oddball multimonitor question-3-monitor-w-1-set-whs.jpg

    Nvidia Control panel settings for 3 monitors:
    Oddball multimonitor question-nvidia-control-panel-3-monitor-setup.png

    Windows Control panel "resolution settings":
    Oddball multimonitor question-windows-control-panel-3-monitor-setup.png

    My Monitors stay set like I have them (set the main one to "Main Display" in windows control panel) no matter what PC/server I switch to with KVM buttons or hot keys and when I return it continues to work as my right monitor. The key is the Nvidia control panel software....couldn't get it to work with Microsoft display settings only.

    let me know if I can be of further assistance with this.
    Last edited by bobtran; 07 Mar 2011 at 00:36.
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 55
    7HP
    Thread Starter
       #3

    Thanks for your help, I'll give this a shot.
      My Computer


 

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