DVI problem

[Dav3]

Ok guys, I'm starting this topic here to see if I can work out what is going on with my setup.

Basically I have:

My PC, running windows XP with an ATI 9800 pro graphics card. This is connected to my 18" TFT via VGA cable. I then wanted to use a DVI-D cable which I purchased to enable me to dual screen the TFT and the Novatech Q321.

I have tried numerous settings with ATI's Catalyst Control centre, and also playing around with Powerstrip, BUT at no point in time have I got a proper output onto the Q321 with the computer.

I say this, because if I enable dual screening and then boot up into Safe mode etc, I get the basic desktop working on both screens. I also get outputs onto the Q321 when Windows is loading etc, but as soon as XP has finished loading I only see the desktop on the TFT, never on the LCD.

The 9800 pro works fine over DVI - I've tried my TFT with the DVI cable etc, so that's not the issue. I've also seen that the DVI port works on the Q321 as it displays images in Safe mode etc.

Somewhere along the line the drivers would appear to be kicking out an image that the Q321 cannot display.

Has anyone got any ideas as how I can sort this out? It's driving me crazy, and I can't think of what else to try?

Any help or suggestions would be much appreciated.

David.

[Alec]

Display in safe mode, but not in full windows is usually indicative of incorrect refresh rate selection.

For some reason, people have got it into their heads that everything will just "work". Unfortunately, where LCD TV's are concerned, the phrase "Plug & Play" has yet to see much use.

So, we're back to setting the display up manually, just like the good old days :D

In safe mode, we usually output 800x600 @ 60Hz, so, since we know that works, we'll set that first. Go into display properties and set the resolution of your second display (the TV) to 800x600, then the refresh rate from "adapter default" to 60Hz. Often it is easiest to set the display type to "Generic -> Laptop display 800x600"

That gives you a good starting point, in this situation you should get a working picture in regular windows and be able to make the various driver adjustments that are locked out in safe mode. You can then correct the settings for resolution, colour depth etc with the "revert to old settings" to save you from erroneous mouse clicks :)

Alec

[Dav3]

Thanks for the reply, but in response I did not expect it to just work. As I said I tried numerous things to sort it out, the most obvious one was to change the res and the refresh rate. After this I've sorted the drivers side, by uninstalling them, reinstalling the newer one etc.

I basically tried everything, plugged in a mac etc. Further analysis showed that the EDID on the TV was incorrect and was actually an EDID for a 17" Hyundai LCD, thus enabling the LCD to work with 1280 x 1024 on the Mac etc, but not at all with the ATI settings.

Having been in contact with repairtech I will shortly be sending this set back to get the EDID rectified and thus it will hopefully work.

Thanks for your advice, but one word of advice to yourself, we're not all thick computer people, so that came accross as a little patronising. Plug and play hasn't seen much use, granted, but when on other threads you read you see people have tried their sets with the same graphics card you would assume there is a problem.

"For some reason, people have got it into their heads that everything will just 'work'".

In response to that, I've got a degree in Computer Science, and am very well aware to expect computers and modern technology to do anything but just work. If it was that easy to sort stuff out then you wouldn't be able to charge obscene consultancy fees to sort people's problems out...

Anyway, thanks for the response, but don't always assume people are completley stupid.

David.

BSc (Hons) Computer Science.

:wink:

PS That post itself was a little harsh, but it's been a long day at work. Anyway, problems sorted now, just roll on the weekend...

[Alec]

OK, sorry if that sounded a little patronising, it wasn't meant to. At the end of the day, you asked a question and I tried to help you with an answer. Thoise of us who participate here don't get paid for doing it.

Try a few days in tech support - it affects you, and not in a good way :D You have to make snap judgements about people's level of ability, based on their query, and if you get it wrong, you either sound patronising, or you infuriate them by giving them an explanation they don't understand.

Anyway, you're waiting to get the EDID fixed, that should solve your problem I would expect, though I am actually surprised to hear the set has EDID as most TV's don't.

Alec

[Dav3]

Yeah, no worries.

I too only noticed the EDID problem when I saw the name given in ATI Catalyst. Normally in Windows it's just listed as plug and play.

I wasn't paticularly in a good mood that day, and it was a tad sarcastic, but I do appreciate you taking the time to reply to the questions I asked. A lot of the time the more you know about computers the easier it can be to miss something blatantly obvious while mucking around with the obscure stuff.

It's a vital part of forums that the people in the know help out, and yeah, with forums it's difficult to guage people's knowledge from a 100 word post.

As for working in Tech Support, no thanks! Knowing about computers as much as I do I get everybody that knows less asking me questions about how to fix their machines, and give you the most pathetic description of what is wrong with it, so I can well imagine...

And I am now going back to sorting out my Aunt's newly acquired laptop... She asks me which one to order, I tell her. It arrives, I then have to set it up, get Office etc on it, and I will then have to tell her how to use half of it!

Anyway, enjoy,

The joys of being reasonably computer literate eh?

Dave

[RepairTech MGR]

OK, sorry if that sounded a little patronising, it wasn't meant to. At the end of the day, you asked a question and I tried to help you with an answer. Thoise of us who participate here don't get paid for doing it.

Try a few days in tech support - it affects you, and not in a good way :D You have to make snap judgements about people's level of ability, based on their query, and if you get it wrong, you either sound patronising, or you infuriate them by giving them an explanation they don't understand.

Anyway, you're waiting to get the EDID fixed, that should solve your problem I would expect, though I am actually surprised to hear the set has EDID as most TV's don't.

Alec

Hi Alec,

I believe i am correct in saying that any TV with a PC input (DVI / DSUB) will support EDID (DDC data) principly the TV is a TFT monitor with a tuner and of course a little bigger with a wide screen resolution.... 8-)

Mike.

[Alec]

Indeed, just for some reason most of the ones I see don't have it. When you think of the tiny cost of the components involved, especially in relation to the cost of the set, it's always struck me as strange.

Alec

[RepairTech MGR]

Indeed, just for some reason most of the ones I see don't have it. When you think of the tiny cost of the components involved, especially in relation to the cost of the set, it's always struck me as strange.

Alec

This is so true, be nice if it worked first time also 8-)

Mike.

[Alec]

This is so true, be nice if it worked first time also 8-)

Mike.

Nice?

A miracle more like :lol:

[hoborg]

I have exactly same problem, DVI connection betven ATI x1900GT - Q320 in WinXP dosn't work for me. DOS mode OK, XP safe mode OK. What i must do to get it work?

Thanx fo reply.
And sorry for my english :)