No startup screen using DVI Cable

Question

Here's the problem. I have a Dell Dimension 9100 with a ATI X600 graphics card connected to a 2005FPW monitor. The graphics card allows a DVI connection or a VGA connection. When using the VGA cable I can see the startup screen which gives me the F2 or F12 options which is what I want, only I need this when using the DVI cable! For some reason, when using DVI, the screen stays black until the XP welcome screen comes up, and I am unable to get into CMOS setup using DVI. I am considering purchasing a different graphics card with two DVI connections and NO VGA so this is going to be a problem if I cannot get into bios when i need to. Thanks in advance for your suggestions.

KevinR100 · Answer

That is a 'good one'. DVI should not effect the monitor at all in this way. Don't be put off the new graphics card because of this as dual dvi (2) v/cards have (or should have) a dvi to vga converter dongle in the box. I don't know what may be causing the present problems unless it is a video driver (needs updating after uninstalling the present driver) or a faulty v/card.   cheers

MK93111 · Answer

After a bit more sleuthing, I came across this article:

http://forums.us.dell.com/supportforums/board/message?board.id=dim_monitor&message.id=41990&query.id=969184#M41990

Seems this is an old issue...and one that should have been remedied by now. If anyone has figured out a solution, please let me know. Thanks.

gpro · Answer

hmmm... interesting post. This issue has caught my attention a few times - each time I spend a few hours trying to figure it out before giving up :(

I found these pages this time. They might not be directly relevant to you but might yield some clues.

Troubleshooting Common DVI Flat Panel Display Issues

(in particular Issue with the system BIOS or its configuration and Conflict with USB support from motherboard)

Display shuts off when Windows loads using a DVI flat panel

No POST or BIOS information appears on the DVI monitor

No or corrupted display with some TFT monitors using DVI cable

From a May 2000, Dell Technology Brief

As DVI-enabled flat-panel displays with both digital and analog interfaces proliferate, PCs will need a way to identify at bootup which interface is being used in order to correctly initialize the display. There is no standard way to do this today.

Currently, PCs use the VESA EDID standard to initialize the display. Under this standard, the display transmits a single EDID file to the PC. The file contains display characteristics such as identification, interface type (either DVI or VGA), timing, capabilities, color parameters, and so forth. The PC uses this information to initialize the display on the VGA or the DVI-D interface.

But new dual-interface displays may be attached to either the VGA or the DVI-D interface on the PC. So, how will PCs handle this situation? The methods will vary until an industry standard is established to address the issue.

Meanwhile, Dell has filed a patent application disclosing a method for solving the problem. One example of the method involves specifying two EDID files, one containing the VGA characteristics of the display and the other, the DVI characteristics. The patent application also describes how the appropriate EDID file is selected and transmitted to the PC. Using this method, the PC initializes the display using the correct EDID file. This solution is currently implemented on Dell systems equipped with a dual-interface graphics card and a dual-interface flat-panel display.

It is a nightmare to troubleshoot -
the same symptoms described by different people could have non-related causes,
the symptoms may be related to particular combinations of hardware, drivers and firmware, including motherboards.

Please post the outcome of any suggestions offered - it will assist others who may have a similar problem and encourage those who spend their time trying to help.

Monitors

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