I purchased a Dell 2001FP at the beginning of May, after unpacking, inspection and setup, the only problem that I noticed was one stuck pixel. Not too shabby for a 20" LCD.
For the next seven weeks, I thoroughly enjoyed this monitor for general use as well as a bit of gaming. Then June 26th, I booted the computer and noticed that the screen remained blank during the BIOS boot process. As soon as the Windows XP login screen appeared, the monitor would display correctly. I repeated this several times from cold boots to restarts, each time there was no display until the XP login screen appeared. The monitor's LED next to the power button remained green throughout this process indicating that a video signal was being received, but nothing was being displayed.
You would not believe what I have done to trouble shoot this issue! I've tried three different video cards, (FX5200, FX5600 and a 6800 Ultra). I have reset the motherboard BIOS numerous times and gone so far as to replace the Abit AN7 motherboard. I have wiped a hard drive and installed a fresh copies of Win 2000 or Win XP, (individually of course). I've also tried three different DVI cables. BTW, if you boot on a Win 2000 or Win XP CD to install the OS you get a blank, black screen.
This appears to be a problem only with the DVI cable, If I use the SVGA (analog) cable, all processes are displayed correctly on the monitor. This really bites since I have just purchased a BFG 6800 Ultra that only has DVI connections.
Dell's tech support has sent a "fix" to correct the problem, but it really hasn't changed anything. Dell has also sent two replacement monitors. The first, didn't work at all, it only displayed the error "Cannot display this mode". The second exhibits the exact same symptoms as my original monitor, no display during POST.
Since this problem manifested itself seven weeks after purchasing it, I now find myself the proud owner of a semi-working 20" flat panel. Tech support has stated that any other replacement monitor will probably have the same issues so they won't send another. And since it is past Dell's 21 day return policy, I cannot get a refund.
For the next seven weeks, I thoroughly enjoyed this monitor for general use as well as a bit of gaming. Then June 26th, I booted the computer and noticed that the screen remained blank during the BIOS boot process. As soon as the Windows XP login screen appeared, the monitor would display correctly. I repeated this several times from cold boots to restarts, each time there was no display until the XP login screen appeared. The monitor's LED next to the power button remained green throughout this process indicating that a video signal was being received, but nothing was being displayed.
You would not believe what I have done to trouble shoot this issue! I've tried three different video cards, (FX5200, FX5600 and a 6800 Ultra). I have reset the motherboard BIOS numerous times and gone so far as to replace the Abit AN7 motherboard. I have wiped a hard drive and installed a fresh copies of Win 2000 or Win XP, (individually of course). I've also tried three different DVI cables. BTW, if you boot on a Win 2000 or Win XP CD to install the OS you get a blank, black screen.
This appears to be a problem only with the DVI cable, If I use the SVGA (analog) cable, all processes are displayed correctly on the monitor. This really bites since I have just purchased a BFG 6800 Ultra that only has DVI connections.
Dell's tech support has sent a "fix" to correct the problem, but it really hasn't changed anything. Dell has also sent two replacement monitors. The first, didn't work at all, it only displayed the error "Cannot display this mode". The second exhibits the exact same symptoms as my original monitor, no display during POST.
Since this problem manifested itself seven weeks after purchasing it, I now find myself the proud owner of a semi-working 20" flat panel. Tech support has stated that any other replacement monitor will probably have the same issues so they won't send another. And since it is past Dell's 21 day return policy, I cannot get a refund.
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