2001FP Problem: Can't see anything before XP logon screen!

[codeyf]

Monitor stays blank until the XP user selection screen. Can't see post, bios, or even the XP loading screen.

What gives?

 

[ponyo]

Which card are you using? I've the same problem with mine when connected using DVI and BFG FX5900. I can see it fine on my Sony CRT.

I didn't have this problem with my Radeon 9100 and BFG 6800GT. I'm guessing 1600x1200 DVI on my FX5900 is out of compliance.

 

[codeyf]

Yup. DVI on BFG 5900

 

[JasonandBecky]

Ditto for my GF's system.

 

[Kyrano]

My work comp has a 9800XT connected to a 2001FP, and ocassionally the monitor goes blank during boot-up right when the log-in screen is supposed to pop up. Turning the monitor off and on, or cycling through the selected inputs resolves the issue though. I don't have this problem on my home system, which is a 6800 GTO and 2001FP, and is 8 months younger.

 

[codeyf]

Well switched to a R360 core 9800 Pro. And everything works fine now

 

[Hugenstein]

There are threads all over the place about Dell LCDs and issues with the DVI port. Here are a couple from Dell's forums.

http://forums.us.dell.com/supp...+power+save+FAQ#M33721
http://forums.us.dell.com/supp...e_ascending&page=6

My Dell 2001fp has all kinds of issues with the DVI port.

 

[klocwerk]

Thanks for the link hugenstein, I just got a 2001fp and got a 5900 back from RMA, can't get DVI to work.
I'll take a whack at this and see what happens.

 

[klocwerk]

update: nothing.
The fix mentioned above is for a different issue, not the lack of DVI input on boot.


I waited on hold forever with BFG, their techies really know their stuff, i've dealt with them more than I'd like to remember.
He said that the Dell monitors have this problem with lots of cards, not just theirs. It's an issue with the monitor not accepting a relatively standard output in the console mode. It'll come up fine once you get to the windows drivers, but the output from the card isn't being interpreted correctly by the monitor.
There is, literally, nothing we can do about it.

SUXORS.
I'm going to try to trade this card for a better one, see if it fixes the problem.