Cannot display POST using DVI cable on Dell 2005FPW

[Rob_63]

I am unable to access the bios using the DVI connector with my Dell 2005 FPW. When I cold boot or reboot I get a "cannot display this mode" message, then it works fine when it goes into windows.

I can however access the bios with the sub- D connector.

I tested the "self test" feature according to the Dell troubleshooting manual and it tests OK.

I am using a BBATI X800XT vid card that has both sub- D and DVI out, however only one will work when both cables are hooked up unlike the 2001FP that I used to have. I use the sub D on a folding box so using it full time on my main rig is really not an option.

Any ideas?

EDIT: this is the second monitor, the first one was returned due to 11 stuck pixels, that one was dated 4/2005 and it didn't have this problem. this one is dated 11/2004

 

[Peter]

I _think_ there was a software update to early 2005FPW units that fixed this.

 

[peleejosh]

try rebootoing and turning the monitor on right when the post screen is coming up. I had this happen to me a while back. I rebooted and turned the monitor off and on several times and finally got it to work.

 

[Rob_63]

Software update? the problem is before windows. I cannot access my bios at all, the post screen does not show up, I get a "cannot display this mode" message until windows loads.

This is an early model 2005, I had to return one that was dated 4-2005 because of 11 stuck pixels and was told they were going to send a new one. The idiots at Dell sent me a used one dated 11-2004.

 

[Peter]

Contact Dell about how to do this please.

 

[BigfootKevin]

Trucker, this is what I do.

When it does that when trying to enter bios, hit the display button so it goes from DVI, then back to DVI and it should display. I dunno why it doesn't do it on the first try, but it works for me on the 2nd.

 

[Kernel32]

use the dvi to analog converter and connect it to the analog output so you can get into your bios.

 

[Rob_63]

Originally posted by: BigfootKevin
Trucker, this is what I do.

When it does that when trying to enter bios, hit the display button so it goes from DVI, then back to DVI and it should display. I dunno why it doesn't do it on the first try, but it works for me on the 2nd.

That didn't work for me. I hit the delete key to enter the bios so it would hold there at that screen and not load windows, I tried using the input select button multiple times and the same thing happened every time I returned to the DVI input, a "cannot display this mode" message.

 

[davidos]

This happened on my 2001fp.... Press the menu controls on the monitor and make sure the monitor is set to DVI... My 2001fp was set to VGA and I was thinking my computer was screwed up when it was the monitor....

 

[Rob_63]

It is definitely set to DVI, I use the Sub D connector on a folding box and am quite familiar with how to switch tem around. It is working good with the DVI in windows, I just cannot access the bios with it, I get an error message "cannot display this mode" until it leaves the POST and enters windows, then all is fine.

 

[rbV5]

How many times do you need to access the Bios anyway?, just connect it to the VGA when you need the access. Same with the folding box.

 

[Rob_63]

Originally posted by: rbV5
How many times do you need to access the Bios anyway?, just connect it to the VGA when you need the access. Same with the folding box.

Well I hadn't even noticed this until I rebooted my rig to reinstall windows. I leave my rig on 24/7. the fact is like most of us computer enthusiasts I am a bit of a perfectionist and if it doesn't work properly I want to know why and then fix it. The Sub D is hooked up to my folding box and working fine, why should I have to disconnect it and hook it to my main rig whenever I need to get into the bios?

I came to this forum looking for some help/answers not a "just don't worry about it" attitude

 

[IeraseU]

Try disconnecting all usb devices from your motherboard. Or alternately, disable usb devices in your bios. Sometimes USB conflicts with DVI on some motherboards.

quoted from ATI's Knowledge base:

"Conflict with USB support from motherboard

In some instances the graphics card's own BIOS may not initialize correctly due to how USB support is implemented by the system. When this occurs the card may not be able to correctly support DVI panels, especially under DOS. Try the following:

* Disable all USB support in the CMOS SETUP and retest.
* Disable LEGACY USB support in the BIOS and retest.
* If you are using a USB keyboard or mouse try testing with a PS2 style keyboard and mouse."

 

[rbV5]

why should I have to disconnect it and hook it to my main rig whenever I need to get into the bios?

Because you need to to see your Bios screen?

My AIW 9700pro doesn't show the BIOs screen when YPbPr is connected either. Never found a workaround, but I did find I don't spend much time changing BIOS settings or watching the POST, so disconnecting the YPbPr prior to rebooting wasn't such a big deal.

I also leave my PC's on 24/7 and monitor connections can be hot-swapped. If my answers aren't helpful, feel free to disregard btw.

 

[Rob_63]

IeraseU I think you may be on to something there, at least where the bios is concerned. I searched Dell's forums and found a user who had the same problem with an X300 (2005 on a dell system) and the fix was to flash the vid card bios. And the vid card I have is a Dell pulled X800XT, I just posted a thread about it on the Dell forums, maybe one of the Dell Guru's there can point me to a bios update since I was unable to find it.

I use a PS2 keyboard but do have a lot of USB peripherals, mice, scanner, printers etc..

I will try your suggestions, thanks!

 

[Rob_63]

Originally posted by: rbV5

why should I have to disconnect it and hook it to my main rig whenever I need to get into the bios?

Because you need to to see your Bios screen?

My AIW 9700pro doesn't show the BIOs screen when YPbPr is connected either. Never found a workaround, but I did find I don't spend much time changing BIOS settings or watching the POST, so disconnecting the YPbPr prior to rebooting wasn't such a big deal.

I also leave my PC's on 24/7 and monitor connections can be hot-swapped. If my answers aren't helpful, feel free to disregard btw.

Exactly! I like having everything working the way it should, I realize I could just do this everytime I want to enter the bios but as a perfectionist nut I thought I would at least try to find a cure for this problem before giving up on it.

And I do appreciate your input! thanks!

 

[Peter]

USB conflicts with DVI? That's a new twist on the usual bull you get from generic support Q&A ... as a BIOS writer, I must say, most definitely not. You are having your time wasted.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Trucker61
IeraseU I think you may be on to something there, at least where the bios is concerned. I searched Dell's forums and found a user who had the same problem with an X300 (2005 on a dell system) and the fix was to flash the vid card bios. And the vid card I have is a Dell pulled X800XT, I just posted a thread about it on the Dell forums, maybe one of the Dell Guru's there can point me to a bios update since I was unable to find it.

I use a PS2 keyboard but do have a lot of USB peripherals, mice, scanner, printers etc..

I will try your suggestions, thanks!

I think he's onto something as well. I have the same issue when I run my 2005FPW off of my old Radeon 7200 and a USB KVM. Not sure if this is an ATI specific issue or not, since I don't have an AGP NVIDIA card I can put into the old AGP box.

 

[IeraseU]

Originally posted by: Peter
USB conflicts with DVI? That's a new twist on the usual bull you get from generic support Q&A ... as a BIOS writer, I must say, most definitely not. You are having your time wasted.

Actually it's not bull, I had this same issue, and I went the forum of my mainboard and many other users experienced similar issues where usb was conflicting with DVI.

 

[Rob_63]

Well I tried all that, first I removed everything USB from my puter, no difference. Then I hooked up the analog cable, entered the bios and turned off the USB, that didn't work either.

 

[nitromullet]

Originally posted by: Trucker61
Well I tried all that, first I removed everything USB from my puter, no difference. Then I hooked up the analog cable, entered the bios and turned off the USB, that didn't work either.

That sucks. I wonder if the issue has something to do with ATI hardware... Are there any NVIDIA users that report the same problems? Not that is necessarily helps solve the problem, but at least it would be good to know the source of the issue.