What's going on with my future HTPC?

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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I've got a Dell dimension 9150 that I got for free. I'm trying to use it as a HTPC. It's connected to my TV via a DVI to HDMI cable. That worked just fine under Linux. It worked fine while in Win2k (no drivers). It worked just fine while installing XP and while using the default no drivers VGA display mode.

The problem occurs as soon as I install the Nvidia drivers. From the moment the drivers are installed, the display on the TV(DVI-to-HDMI) goes blank. I dragged the computer over to my monitor and used VGA and that works just fine.

The video card is a showing up as a GeForce 7300 LE. The TV that I'm trying to use is a Mitsubishi WD-73833.
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: taltamir
HDCP?

That's what I'm thinking. The TV should support it, but I saw one old post on another forum that said the card is too old/low end to support it. Is there any work around or hacked driver that I can use? I just want to use the PC in the living room and play games and movies.

I'm going to be pissed if I have to buy a new vid card just for hdcp. I suppose I'll go pirate something just because HDCP is such a pain in my ass and making me buy new hardware :(
 

stepone

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Aug 25, 2006
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HDCP would only kick in if you try to watch a blu ray movie or other protected content NOT as soon as you install the drivers!

This sounds like a classic case of the card not liking your tv's res or vice versa ie when the nvidia driver installs it's defaulting to a resolution which isn't supported by your display (hence the blank screen).

Does your 7300le have a dual link dvi port? if not that may also cause probs at your rear projection tv's native 1920x1080 resolution.

 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: stepone
HDCP would only kick in if you try to watch a blu ray movie or other protected content NOT as soon as you install the drivers!

This sounds like a classic case of the card not liking your tv's res or vice versa ie when the nvidia driver installs it's defaulting to a resolution which isn't supported by your display (hence the blank screen).

Does your 7300le have a dual link dvi port? if not that may also cause probs at your rear projection tv's native 1920x1080 resolution.

Not sure, how do I can I check that or work around it if it's there?
 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Not sure if you got this fixed. Best way to diagnose this will be to connect a regular monitor to the system and check what the display resolution and refresh rates are set to now that the drivers are installed, and then change those to the proper settings for your TV's native resolution (720p, 1080i, or 1080p).
 

kylebisme

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Mar 25, 2000
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Originally posted by: stepone
Does your 7300le have a dual link dvi port? if not that may also cause probs at your rear projection tv's native 1920x1080 resolution.

No need for dual link when running 1920x1080.
 

Savij

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2001
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Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Not sure if you got this fixed. Best way to diagnose this will be to connect a regular monitor to the system and check what the display resolution and refresh rates are set to now that the drivers are installed, and then change those to the proper settings for your TV's native resolution (720p, 1080i, or 1080p).

I tried that and nothing has worked so far. None of the 1080p/i, 720p settings in the nvidia control panel seemed to work.
 

Fyon Nex

Junior Member
May 20, 2008
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What kind of TV is it? You might have to force TV detection for proper resolution on some HDTVs.
 

Fallen Kell

Diamond Member
Oct 9, 1999
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Originally posted by: Savij
Originally posted by: Fallen Kell
Not sure if you got this fixed. Best way to diagnose this will be to connect a regular monitor to the system and check what the display resolution and refresh rates are set to now that the drivers are installed, and then change those to the proper settings for your TV's native resolution (720p, 1080i, or 1080p).

I tried that and nothing has worked so far. None of the 1080p/i, 720p settings in the nvidia control panel seemed to work.

hmmm.... if that is the case, have you tried 1024x768? That is I think the default used by linux and VGA mode windows, which you said worked. It sounds like your TV is very picky about its input on the HDMI. Might want to check the input resolution that it accepts over HDMI. I know some older TV's only supported certain input resolutions, but that is rare anymore.