DVI on startup?

[allanlewis]

I have a self-built PC with an Nvidia GeForce 8300 chip built onto the motherboard. Most of the time I use the DVI connection running at 1680/1050 resolution, but on startup the system always defaults to VGA, so I have to change my monitor over to DVI when Windows has reached the login screen, which is when the driver seems to be loaded.

Is there any way to get the BIOS screen, etc., to use DVI too?

[Midknyte]

What's the make/model of the board? did you check the bios video settings?

[allanlewis]

What's the make/model of the board? did you check the bios video settings?

The BIOS doesn't seem to have an option to use DVI. The motherboard is an ASUS M3N78 Pro and it has the original BIOS.

[Midknyte]

There are quite a few bios updates for that board. Some even mention video.

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...model=M3N78-VM

[allanlewis]

There are quite a few bios updates for that board. Some even mention video.

http://support.asus.com/download/dow...model=M3N78-VM

You've linked to the wrong model: I have an M3N78 Pro. None of the updates for my board mention DVI specifically, but I might try updating anyway. What is the likelihood of "bricking" the motherboard due to a bad BIOS flash?

[Midknyte]

Oops. Missed the "pro" part.

It's unlikely that you'll kill the motherboard, but it sounds like you haven't done it very often. If you have UPS, definitely plug in the system that's going to be flashed.

[allanlewis]

Oops. Missed the "pro" part.

It's unlikely that you'll kill the motherboard, but it sounds like you haven't done it very often. If you have UPS, definitely plug in the system that's going to be flashed.

I've only done it once before, but that was on a very old system and I did it from DOS. I haven't got a UPS but the wiring in my house is relatively new and I've never seen any spikes.

[Sterling_Aug]

I've only done it once before, but that was on a very old system and I did it from DOS. I haven't got a UPS but the wiring in my house is relatively new and I've never seen any spikes.

That doesn't give me any warm fuzzy feelings on my insides.

Spikes are NOT what MK is worried about. A power failure during a BIOS flash will cause an "instant brick". You would then have to buy a new flash BIOS and replace your old BIOS chip before the system would work again.

[allanlewis]

That doesn't give me any warm fuzzy feelings on my insides.

Spikes are NOT what MK is worried about. A power failure during a BIOS flash will cause an "instant brick". You would then have to buy a new flash BIOS and replace your old BIOS chip before the system would work again.

Precisely, which is why I'd rather leave BIOS flashing as a last resort. Actually, I'd consider forgetting it altogether given the minor nature of my problem.

Is there anything else I could try to get my DVI working before booting Windows? If I install GRUB/LILO (I'm planning on re-installing Linux on a second partition at some point), will that see the DVI?

[Midknyte]

If you don't have a UPS, i suggest you get one. As Sterling said, it's a power outage during a bios flash that would mess up the board.

If the bios doesn't use the DVI at boot, I highly doubt that installing Linux will help.

[allanlewis]

If you don't have a UPS, i suggest you get one. As Sterling said, it's a power outage during a bios flash that would mess up the board.

If the bios doesn't use the DVI at boot, I highly doubt that installing Linux will help.

Thanks for all your help!