Why do I lose DVI output?
Thursday, 08 September, 2005
Before installation of the nVidia video card drivers my DVI connection works. After the installation the LCD screen goes blank as Windows XP boots up. If I switch cables to the older style VGA cable it works.
How can I fix this problem?
Jason Lee, Thornlie, WA
 There could be a number of reasons for your problem. Unfortunately, you haven’t provided enough technical data for me to track down what your specific problem might be. The email address you provided is either inoperative or too heavily protected by a ‘Spam filter’ to allow our messages to be delivered.
There are ‘issues’ with using some LCD panels with a PC via DVI. Some LCD televisions, for example, use HDCP copy protection technology, and block signals from the PC. The input selection for the LCD panel may need to be changed in that circumstance. There may be other software installed on your PC which are interfering with the communication between your PC and the monitor. Utility software may be ‘forcing’ settings which are outside the range the monitor can handle. There could even be a motherboard BIOS problem which requires a BIOS update. (The ABit AN8 Ultra is one such motherboard)
That’s only a sample of possible problems which may be causing the behaviour you describe. In the absence of more detailed specifications it’s impossible to track down specifics.
I’m sorry I can’t really help, Jason. It frustrates us here when we can’t.
All we can really do is urge our readers to provide us with valid email addresses, and ensure that our messages can get delivered to you.
Cheerios Terry O'Shanassy
 Reader solutions
Terry O'ShanassyPosted: 28/09/2005 About that copy protection Chris, there's a brief but good explanation of HDCP at DigitalConnection http://www.digitalconnection.com/FAQ/HDTV_12.asp
Modern High Definition TVs use the technology. Some, I believe, have device settings which allow you to disable it to allow a signal to be sent from a PC which doesn't have a display card which is recognised as a HDCP compliant source device. You'll be hearing more of it as time goes by. That 'divide' between consumer entertainment and PC isn't going to last forever, and the upcoming Windows Vista will certainly introduce high definition entertainment to the PC. Meanwhile, it can cause hiccups for people trying to connect some flat panel TVs to a PC. Sebastian PerezPosted: 19/09/2005 re: Why do I lose DVI output? I have an ABIT AN7 motherboard with an ATI 9600 Radeon card with DVI. Will I get the same problem with plugging into a TV? PieterPosted: 19/09/2005 re: Why do I lose DVI output? I have seen this problem several times with new LCD monitors. Lowering the frame rate usually fixes the problem, but it has to be done while using the old monitor. Use the folowing procedure:
Start - Control Panel - Display - Settings - Advanced - Monitor, and then change the refresh rate the what the manufacturer recommends. Try using 60 Hertz. jeffPosted: 14/09/2005 re: Why do I lose DVI output? Jason, there may be several issues for you to resolve concerning your monitor's incapability to use it's DVI function.
Firstly, check it's 'On-Board' Display Menu.
The DVI function may not be 'Enabled', enable it via this menu.
Secondly, are your nVidia video-card drivers the right ones for your card?
Un-install, re-install the correct ones.
Thirdly, the fault may lay with your DVI cable being a faulty one.
Get another, see if it works.
Fault finding is purely a process of elimination, one step at a time and done carefully.
Cheers. MichaelPosted: 12/09/2005 re: Why do I lose DVI output? Perhaps there is an option in the Nvidia Control Panel to force DVI as an output option. Possibly the Nvidia drivers could be turning it off. I don't have an Nvidia card so I can't really help you all that much. Chris ConwayPosted: 10/09/2005 re: Why do I lose DVI output? Just a quick question Terry, what's with the copy protection |