Windows 7: Messed up monitor, won't showbooted computer - help

Finally got around to testing different hook ups. The monitor takes both DVI and VGA inputs. The problematic hookup was when DVI>HDMI was in use. I first did VGA>VGA from monitor to laptop...all was well. Then did DVI>HDMI, monitor to laptop, monitor didn't respond. Must be the DVI>HDMI cable. So, I then did VGA>VGA, monitor to desktop, it worked.

Computer opened in safe mode, but then reverted to Normal (before i could touch anything) and finished booting in a normal Welcome screenand...all was well.

This is a perfect example of annecdotal evidence leading one up the wrong tree, eh? Although I still haven't tried out the DVI>HDMI cable on another monitor (will do that later), this cable does seem to be the culprit.

EDIT: Checked out the DVI>HDMI cable on another monitor, didn't wake up, nothing. Obviously the cable, yes?

BTW, I had the initial setup with DVI>HDMI because I thought that I would get better digital picture than if I used VGA...but I really don't know if there is a difference between the two. Is there?

EDIT: Although most say that there is a difference between VGA and DVI, I don't see it on this monitor. But I do think I note that the transfer of data from computer to screen might (not really sure) be a little slower with VGA???

At this point, use the VGA to VGA.

Why can't you use a DVI to DVI? There should be no need for an adapter on that monitor.

~Lordbob

I am using VGA to VGA now.
I think that the DVI>HDMI cable came with the monitor???

Problem solved, pretty sure it is a fried dvi port on the monitor. Here's the evolving story as writen up on another forum...

Finally got around to testing different hook ups. The monitor takes both DVI and VGA inputs. The problematic hookup was when DVI>HDMI was in use. I first did VGA>VGA from monitor to laptop...all was well. Then did DVI>HDMI, monitor to laptop, monitor didn't respond. Must be the DVI>HDMI cable. So, I then did VGA>VGA, monitor to desktop, it worked.
Computer opened in safe mode, but then reverted to Normal (before i could touch anything) and finished booting in a normal Welcome screenand...all was well.
This is a perfect example of annecdotal evidence leading one up the wrong tree, eh? Although I still haven't tried out the DVI>HDMI cable on another monitor (will do that later), this cable does seem to be the culprit.
EDIT: Just tried the DVI>VGA, monitor to laptop, and screen didn't respond. Guess that verfies that the cable went south.
BTW, I had the initial setup with DVI>HDMI because I thought that I would get better digital picture than if I used VGA...but I really don't know if there is a difference between the two. Is there?
EDIT: As the cable is the problem, am I correct in that there is no need to run SystemRestore? Everything seems to be running well.
EDIT 2: Screen unresponsiveness may not have been due to the cable, as first thought. Bought a similar cable ($54 ripoff) from RS (will return of course) and tested on the monitor (DVI monitor to HDMI computer)...didn't work. Thus, the monitor's DVI input must have fried. Also, dl'd Magictune (premium for Vista 64 and Windows 7 64...everything is now working fine.

Does your monitor have an Input Source Selection button?

VGA is analog video and, despite the disappearance of the analog socket on the graphics card, many cards are still able to provide such a signal through the DVI port and the use of a suitable adapter (I recommend the adapter rather than the cable). Both DVI and HDMI use the same digital video signal format, and, as you mentioned, there are adapters to allow a DVI source to be used to feed an HDMI input. The difference between the two (other than the connector) is that HDMI also provides for audio connectivity - a bit like a digital version of the old SCART connector.

No manual switching mechanism between vga and dvi. The monitor must sense which input is active???

Also, re "there are adapters to allow a DVI source to be used to feed an HDMI input," in my case the original hookup was dvi at monitor and hdmi at computer.