DVI out only

[Roady]

Hi

I have at the moment a PC with a "DVI Out" and a VGA Out. The DVI Out is on the ATI 128mb graphic card. I used the VGA monitor, plugged into the vga out, to setup and install the ATI driver in XP. I then turned my PC off disconnedted the VGA and plugged in my Plasma 43" into the DVI Out. I didnt think it was working at first because using the DVI out you cant see the POST screen nor the windows startup screen, you just see BLACK, untill Windows initialises the ATI graphic card, then Wham!! you are prompted with a log on screen, PPPHHEEWW!!!

So I was wondering if I didnt have a VGA socket in my PC and just had a DVI OUT how can you view the POST, get into the BIOS etc etc?

How do you setup and install Windows\Vista on a PC with DVI\HDMI outs? As im thinking of buying a new PC with ony these type of connectors and the PC has no operating system?

All responses are appreciated!!

[mjc]

Did you happen to go set the BIOS to use the ATI card first (AGP, PCIe, whatever) or is it still set to use the onboard video first?

You should probably hook the monitor back up to the onboard video connection, enter the BIOS and change it to use something other than onboard video. That should show the POST and boot info on your DVI connected monitor...

[Roady]

Ahh right, thanks it all makes sense now. ill try that!!

Much appreciated

Roady

[Roady]

Ok
I looked at my Video card and the DVI and the VGA are on the AGP ATI graphic card. I dont have a on-board VGA. The BIOS is set to read the AGP first anyway!!. So with my plasma plugged in I still cant view BIOS and the initial boot up of Windows.
Will there be a setting in the ATI control panel?, i.e to use the Plasma DVI port as primary?

How would I go on using a PC with just two DVI\HDMI outs on the AGP graphic card and again no VGA port anywhere?

Thanks