System won't post with dual monitors

[Zoltar]

Issue in brief: System won't post if I have both monitors connected to my one video card. Unplug 2nd monitor, bam, system starts.

I just upgraded to Gigabyte SLI mobo, AM-2 5200, MSI 8600 (single) video card. Have FSB 450 watt psu, connected SLI power from supply to mobo. Ran XP disk and did the OS upgrade, installed all drivers, downloaded drivers for video card from nVidia. Bios is late version July 07.

Dual monitors worked with last (6600) card just fine. Main monitor is DVI, 2nd monitor is plasma connected at PCI using DVI to D-Sub adapter that came with the the MSI card since card has twin DVI ports.

I don't think this is a driver issue or OS issue since system won't even go to post. Turn on power, fans start, nothing else happens. Pull plug for 2nd monitor, restart, system starts fine.

Am going to clear CMOS. I don't have any other ideas.

[Edit] Cleared CMOS, checked for updated GPU bios (none available). System is now restarting with both monitors connected, but am not confident this will continue because it has started a few times, but mostly will not start.

[Steve R Jones]

Might not hurt to try a beefier power supply.

[Keymaker]

Possible ACPI driver issue? I have the 6600 and it gives me ACPI issues with hibernate, etc.


Try reversing the connection once. I would rather devout a plasma to DVI over the monitor. Plasma or LCD? A TV?


BTW, you said the card has duel DVI ports? Mine has one DVI and a VGA. ???

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Advance...ower_Interface

[Zoltar]

This is a 8600 card, dual DVI ports. Clearing CMOS may have corrected the issue. I am still learning some of the BIOS settings. Also, part of the issue may be that I am running a 50' VGA cable to the plasma. Main monitor is my LCD desktop monitor. PSU should be okay: 18+18 amps on 12v rails should run one 8600 card no prob. It's a 450 watt Fortran.

[Keymaker]

Oh, I see. You said the last card was a 6600.

You even ran the same length of cable with the 6600 with no problems?