XFX Geforce 5900 Ultra - No bootup screen!

[DN]

I've posted this message in the general hardware forum only to realize it's probably better suited in this forum.. That being said, I have an XFX Geforce 5900 Ultra 256Mb AGP video card hooked up DVI-only to a Dell 2001FP LCD.. I have no complaints whatsoever about it, except for one minor detail.. I don't see the bootup process at all -- the LCD remains black until I get to the WinXP login box.. I know the problem doesn't have anything to do with my setup -- it's correct -- this is more of video card issue, specifically with it's DVI port..

What I REALLY want to know is if ANY of you own the SAME video card with an LCD and have the same issue or not..? It doesn't matter, at least it SHOULDN'T, what LCD you have JUST AS LONG AS you ONLY have the DVI hooked up the that LCD.. My assumption, which I will test at some point, is that this isn't a problem had I had the D-SUB hooked up to my LCD, but why would I want to ONLY have the D-SUB hooked up if I have a DVI port on my video card..

I'm sure one workaround might be to have the D-SUB hooked up from the video card to the LCD in combination with the DVI and to switch sources on the LCD using it's source button as I see fit, but that doesn't explain my current problem..

All that being said, I contact XFX customer support via email, explained my problem, the support technician asked me a couple of questions and concluded that I have a defective video card and that I should RMA it.. LOL.. I don't even know if this thing is still under warranty, but it's not like I was able to test the DVI port on it BEFORE I got my LCD monitor which was like a month ago.. PFFFT!

Thanks in advance! Ciao.

 

[DAPUNISHER]

That is a real head scratcher alright. I would flash the card's bios to a newer one and see if that resolves it. I imagine if the 2001FP had a known issue with any card or interface the many owners 'round here would have posted up by now, so it must certainly be the card.

 

[ponyo]

Many people have this problem with 2001FP and FX5900 cards. I had the same problem with my BFG FX5900.

 

[DN]

Dapunisher,
I suppose I could always re-update the BIOS, but I think I'm already at the latest version..


Naustica,
Are you saying it's a "combination" issue between the Dell 2001FP and "some" brands of 5900's? I would have thought it was a video card ONLY issue -- that it shouldn't matter what LCD is being used (except that they have to only have the DVI hooked up)..


All,
Anyone else with this issue? Video card and LCD brands mentioned would be a plus.. I'm surprised that this is not only occuring, but that there doesn't seem to be a solve for it -- at least, I haven't heard of any so far..


Thanks.

 

[ponyo]

I don't know if the issue is with 2001FP or FX5900. It's probably issue with any LCD with resolution 1600x1200 or 1920x1200. Max official supported DVI resolution on FX5900 is 1280x1024. It works at 1600x1200 but isn't officially supported.

 

[DN]

Naustica,

Hmmm, that would be odd if it had to do with what resolution the LCD can do.. I'll see if anyone else can give some information on this as there just isn't enough so far to jump to any conclusions.. Thanks!

 

[Chadder007]

Could be your motherboard....Ive seen this issue show up I believe once before when Motherboard's BIOS setting was to use the Initial PCI display card instead of AGP display.

 

[DN]

I haven't touched any of my settings and my AGP video card has always functioned correctly so I doubt that's the problem for this specific issue..

There MUST be some XFX Geforce 5900 Ultra users here who have an LCD? At the VERY least, there must be Geforce 5900 users who do so? Do you have this issue? Is this only an issue between the Geforce 5900 and Dell 2001FP? Any information would be appreciated so that I can conclude SOMETHING.. Thanks.

Ciao.

 

[codeyf]

Originally posted by: Naustica
Many people have this problem with 2001FP and FX5900 cards. I had the same problem with my BFG FX5900.

I had the same problem. IIRC, I read something regarding the DVI spec on the card not being up to snuff. I didn't do much research on it tho, as I bought a new card anyway. I did use a 9800 Pro for a short time as a temp fix and it worked fine....

There are threads about this problem tho in the Dell Support forums.

 

[Geomagick]

I use a Leadtek 6800GT PCIe and a Samsung 191T connected by DVI and the screen doesn't light up till half way through windows loading. I think the modern bios in the cards and mobo post so quickly there isn't time to light up the backlight on the LCD.

I suppose the way to check this would be to remove the backlight assembly from the panel and shine a lamp through it during the boot, but I don't really want to start taking my monitor to pieces just yet.

 

[DN]

Originally posted by: codeyf

Originally posted by: Naustica
Many people have this problem with 2001FP and FX5900 cards. I had the same problem with my BFG FX5900.

I had the same problem. IIRC, I read something regarding the DVI spec on the card not being up to snuff. I didn't do much research on it tho, as I bought a new card anyway. I did use a 9800 Pro for a short time as a temp fix and it worked fine....

There are threads about this problem tho in the Dell Support forums.

I read the threads about a blank bootup screen on the Dell support forums.. Geez Louise, I didn't realize that this was such a big issue, but at least I know for sure that I'm not the only one.. Seems as if I'd have to hook up the D-SUB (or get another video card) if I want to see the bootup process.. One message caught my eye though, someone said this can be fixed, for some people, by plugging the LCD directly into the wall instead of into a powerbar.. I don't know how valid that is/sounds, but I'll try anything at this point.. Thanks. Ciao.

 

[g3pro]

I highly recommend against RMA'ing the card just because you don't know if what you will get back will work properly either. I'm using an XFX 5900 non-ultra on the DVI port and VGA and they both work properly with the boot screen and everything. It might just be your LCD. I'm using a Princeton and it works great.