What I do for my setup, with two monitors for two computers, is to use both inputs of the monitors (they each have VGA & DVI). The VGA both go to computer A, the DVI go to computer B. I then have a KVM with just the keyboard and mouse on it. Then you can switch monitor configurations using the monitor buttons, and keyboard/mouse using the KVM.
(Alternately, you could accomplish this with two KVM switches; one with just monitor A attached, to both computers; and one with one monitor B plus they keyboard and mouse, attached to both computers.)
Or you could use a remote desktop solution, like the builtin one in Windows, or use Chrome remote desktop. But I think that's outside the scope of your question.
You could also try powering off the KVM and powering it back on.
Note that unplugging the power cable does not completely power off the KVM switch as any USB cable connected to the switch while also connected to the
PC will also provide power to the switch.
You should remove all USB cables connecting the KVM to a power source before
removing the power source.
There is a very good explanation in the post
KVM switch with win 10
which says:
I don't think it is Windows 10 caused the issues but the design
concept of the KVM switches with those cases. I had using ConnectPRO
Plus serial KVM switches with Windows 10 systems for a long time, and
I never experienced the resolutions resizing issues.
Most of KVM switches in market are designed with emulation-base
technology in devices sharing including for sharing the monitor, so
when the more advanced OS, like Windows 10, is upgraded to those
emulation-base KVM switch will have difficult in emulating /fitting
the timing to the systems upgrade to Windows 10 which monitoring the
I/O hot-plug and connected devices' status all the time.
I don't like to give suggestion of just changing the KVM switch and
find a KVM switch based on DDM technology, but looks like there is no
other solution then using more advanced KVM switches based on the DDM
technology (Dynamic Device Mapping). Of you may want to using an
EDID emulator putting it between each connected PC/system and your old
KVM switch to keep feeding the EDID of your monitor to the Windows 10
PC/system.
DDM refers to Dynamic Device Mapping
defined as:
With DDM (Dynamic Device Mapping) Technology, the communication
between shared peripherals and all connected systems are maintained
100% of the time, even as a user switches between the KVM ports. This
makes generic device emulation unnecessary as the DDM allows each
connected computer system to believe all connected I/O devices are
remaining connected even as the KVM switch might move to another port.
I note that the
SV211DPUA
does not seem to support DDM, as is also implied by the answer you got from Startech.
You would need the heavy-duty
SV231DVIUDDM
for that, at about $100 more.
A software solution in Windows might be to statically set the EDID
of the monitors as constant, so Windows will not try to contact the monitor
when it is not there.
If one has an NVIDIA Quatro display card, this can be done
via the NVIDIA control panel.
One can also use a utility that creates a custom EDID profile,
as these utilities set up a permanent profile in Windows so it does not contact
the monitor.
Here are a couple of utilities :
Best Answer
Josh,
I'd recommend taking a look at KVMs from ATEN Technology - www.aten-usa.com.
The company sells a four-port DVI KVM switch that works with Vista and Windows 7 operating systems.
Here is link to the unit:
http://aten-usa.com/?product&cat=787&Item=CS1644
Good luck on your search!