1704FPT - 2. Digital Input- Cannot Display This Mode

Question

Problem:  Upon system startup the following error message is displayed: 2. Digital Input Cannot Display This Mode The system then boots up and the monitor DOES work.   Steps taken to resolve error message:: Checked & tightend Digital (blue) cables on both monitor & PC Set resolution to 1280 x1024, Refresh rate 60hz Performed monitor Self Test Check. - floating screen appeared - monitor passed test Updated ATI driver Switched out monitor with another 1704FPT UltraSharp The error message STILL appears on startup    What is next step to resolve this? Thanks     ----------------------------------------------------------------- Monitorl Dell 1704FPT (Digital) - Dell Inc. Model: Dimension 8400 Processor Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.00GHz, 3.0 GHz Total Memory 1024 MB Operating System, Install Date Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition, 09-21-2004 OS Version 5.1.2600 OS Service Pack Service Pack 2 Display Adapter: Model RADEON X300 Series, RAM 128 MB Driver ati2dvag.dll BIOS Manufacturer Dell Inc.  BIOS Version  A02 BIOS Date 08-23-2004

bk3day · Answer

Correction: The white cable  (not the blue) is being used. sorry

shakeyshook · Answer

Don't worry about it. It means nothing. Just a hardware glitch that will probably be corrected when Dell posts a new driver for the monitor. I have the same mes sage, but everything works fine. There are many postings with this same problem.

vishal_vij · Answer

this occurs with my 1703fp as well.

tommyelse · Answer

I have the same problem, but with the 1905fp. They replaced my monitor and video card. Same error message comes up. They are now sending me a new computer. I doubt the error will be fixed. I personally think the error exists in the BIOS.

Here's another problem with using the DVI connector. Try entering the BIOS at startup, the message

2: Digital Input
Cannot Display This Video Mode

will be displayed on the screen and the computer locks up.

The only way to enter the BIOS is use analog.

elyislander · Answer

I have the same 8400 machine, same monitor (1704FPT), and am having the same problems.   I have installed the latest Dell Flash Bios and monitor drivers, as well as the ATI Catalyst driver (off ATI site, not from Dell) on my system.   About half of the time, when starting up the system, it will show the same monitor error message.  The other half of the time the BIOS screen and XP startup screen display, just with red/black or blue/red vertical stripes across the display.   The striping has occurred only after the Catalyst drivers were installed.   One interesting note is that when the machine is booting and the stripes show up, hit the OSD and note the current display mode.  it is not optimal.  Perhaps the monitor cannot deal with the mode it is receiving during boot.  After XP is up, the current mode from the OSD matches the optimal.   Also, Full Screen command prompt does not display when in XP (DVI connection) Pro/Engineer 2001 totally wigs out when run with DVI connection.   With VGA cable it is all working OK.   I also think this is a BIOS issue.  How does one set the video mode for the BIOS screen  or 'DOS prompt'??  I think that this is the problem.   If I had the analog only monitor, this would not be an issue.  But I paid for the friggin' DVI-capable monitor and it does not work like it should.   Someone from Dell Please look at this.

tommyelse · Answer

After talking with one of the higher ups on Dell Tech Support, we sort of figured out the problem. The dell flat panel monitors using DVI are made to be displayed in the highest resolution:
1280x1024 with a refresh rate of 60Hz. If you do not run the resolution and refresh rate at these settings, the 2: Digital Input - Cannot Display This Video Mode message will come up at times.

I personally gave up with DVI and switched over to Analog. Analog will let me run whatever resolution I want. Hope this helps everyone.

elyislander · Answer

I am also using the analog (VGA) cable for now. I am hoping that the DVI issues will eventually get worked out with a software fix.

Monitors

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