PC Graphics

[ErikT]

Building a new system. No OS installed yet, just hardware. W5700 is only graphics adapter (none on mobo).

Display device is a Samsung HDTV. Using a known-good mDPxHDMI active adapter to drive the Samsung Q60B TV using its HDMI input. (note: Tested this monitor/cable/adapter on a laptop I have here with mDP out and it works fine, so nothing is wrong with the monitor or adapter).

Using the W5700 on new-build hardware with no OS installed, I can get the text only "Insert valid boot media and hit any key" message to display on the screen, but only intermittently after lots of "No Singal" warnings from the TV. Even then it's not stable. Shows the text for a few seconds, then switches back to "No Signal", then back to the text.

But as soon as I try and hit <DEL> to go into BIOS setup, monitor reverts to "No signal" and stays there. It appears that as soon as it tries to display graphics rather than text, it doesn't work.

I thought of putting the Windows install flash drive in to see if I get graphic display once Windows is running. But that doesn't work because the BIOS on the X570 Aurus Extreme mobo is not yet configured to boot from USB. I can't configure it to boot from USB until I have a working monitor to run BIOS Setup. Classic chicken-and-egg conundrum...

I have no doubt it will work just fine once Windows 10 and all the right W5700 drivers are running. Problem is I can't get from here to there.

It appears to me I have no choice but to buy a small computer monitor with native DisplayPort input, just for the sake of setting up BIOS and installing windows. That's at least $200 cost and I'll have no use for it once the system is working. I'm in a remote location so I have no spare parts or monitors, and anything I buy I'm stuck with and can't return. And I have no solid reason to assume that would even work. All I know is that it doesn't work on the Samsung HDTV it SHOULD work on, and which works with a laptop I tested it with. So buying another monitor on speculation it might make a difference is a tough call to make.

Really hoping someone has a better idea for how to make this work without buying a native DP monitor just for BIOS setup!

Thanks!

[fsadough · Accepted solution]

Not sure why you are using an active mDP-HDMI adapter. A standard mDP-HDMI adapter or Cable would work. You might say the same adapter and cable works with your laptop, but keep in mind the mDP of your laptop and W5700 might have different specs. The other thing you can try (if available on your TV) to change the HDMI format. Some display devices give you the option to change the HDMI version. If not, different HDMI inputs of your display might have different formats. 

[ErikT]

Thanks. I may have used the phrase 'active adapter' incorrectly. I am using this product: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B071H7QDCG/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 with a standard 4K HDMI cable. As noted previously, it works fine on my laptop with the same HDTV monitor.

To reduce the number of connections and parts, I expect to receive this mDPxHDMI cable later today: https://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00YONKZ72/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&th=1. I figured a cable with no adapter and less connectors might change something, but it's a wild guess.

If that doesn't work (I should know in about 6 hrs), the only other option I can think of is to buy this refurbished Dell monitor which has native DP support, eliminating HDMI from the equation: https://www.amazon.com.au/Monitor-Display-1920x1080-DisplayPort-Renewed/dp/B09JFWH53L. I would have to buy that monitor ($150) and an mDPxDP cable just to configure the BIOS and install Windows, then it would be throw-away sunk cost, so trying to avoid this option if I can.

I can't find any way to manage HDMI protocol versions on the HDTV. The only UI is the remote control, and the only option it seems to have is to choose "PC HDMI" as the input source. I see no configuration option for the HDMI interface.

Thanks in advance for any further advice!!!

[Vynski]

Looking at your board specs, a USB boot is likely only possible in the USB 2 port and you only have 1 if I read the specs correctly.  None of the boards I have on 5 computers will boot from a USB 3 port.

Any specific reason WHY the W5700?  That card only has an MDP display output.  I understand that you are using an HDMI adapter and it may not be compatible for what your attempting.

[ErikT]

>Any specific reason WHY the W5700?

I'm in Australia and high-end computer parts in general are very difficult to source here. The W5700 was the only card I could find on Amazon with 5 (6 including USB C) monitor support. I was originally desiring the new top-end W6800's, but by the time you pay international shipping and import duties the cost is approaching 3k per card and I need two cards to drive all 11 monitors I use.

I have built quite a few systems using NVIDIA NVS810's before. That's a much older card that also has only mDP outs, and I've had no difficulty driving as many as 16 4K/30hz monitors with 2 NVS810's.

The W5700 is a much newer higher grapic memory design, so I assumed it would be an upgrade over the NVS810s I'm used to using.

[Vynski]

Sometimes I forget where I live and the advantages we have in the USA.  I just assumed that everyone has access to components like I do.  I am so sorry and please forgive me.

[ErikT]

Oh wow, no need to apologize and I wasn't the slightest bit offended. SOrry if I gave the impression I was.

But you're absolutely right about Americans not knowing how good we have it. I'm from the states originally, but have lived all over the world. You have no idea what it's like to be in a 3rd world country in So. America with a high end graphics card, a high end monitor, and no F'ing DisplayPort Cable. You don't just go buy one at the local computer store. You order it from USA, which takes over a month including customs clearance.

Australia is very civilized compared to other places I've built computers, so really not so bad here. But NOPLACE has the selection of USA. Not even Hong Kong.

[ErikT]

>Looking at your board specs, a USB boot is likely only possible in the USB 2 port and you only have 1 if I read the specs correctly.  None of the boards I have on 5 computers will boot from a USB 3 port.

This is very helpful. Thanks. I will go back to the motherboard manual and make sure I'm using the correct USB port to attempt to boot the Windows install flash drive. I have a hunch that if I can get Windows running, the graphic display will start working.

But even if that works, I'm going to need to set up the BIOS in order to configure my RAID array. So I still need to find a solution to get the BIOS to display on some kind of monitor. Feeling more and more like I should just bite the bucket and buy a $200 refurb Dell monitor with native DP support. I will never use it for any purpose other than BIOS setup, but I guess that's the way it has to be.

You guys have no idea what it's like to have not one but TWO separate closets FULL of spare graphics cards, spare monitors, and spare everything else... ALL ON ANOTHER CONTINENT! Being in a foreign land with no tools and no spare parts sucks worse than I could ever have imagined...

[elstaci]

I was thinking the same thing that the adapter might not be compatible.

What is the Resolution of your Smart TV? Is it 4K by any chance or 2K or 1080 x 1920? If it is 4K , see if you can selected 30 hz on the TV since that is what the adapter supports or see if you can change, if applicable in your TV Settings, the version of HDMI input as mentioned by FSADOUGH. 

I presume you TV only has one Video input port of HDMI and no DP Ports correct?

It is tough when you can't enter BIOS to make changes to fix any booting issues.

I have a 4k LG Monitor that doesn't have video output while BIOS is in UEFI mode until Windows starts to load. Then I have video output on the monitor. But if BIOS is in CSM Mode (legacy) then my 4k LG Monitor has video output. I used both HDMI and DP with no change in video outputs.

So I connect my 2k Smart TV (Samsung) to the HDMI port on my GPU card and I do have video output while using UEFI mode. Thus I am able to make changes in BIOS.

NOTE: @fsadough  is AMD Moderator for Professional GPU cards. So he is the person you need to get help from.

[ErikT]

>What is the Resolution of your Smart TV?

4K

>I presume you TV only has one Video input port of HDMI and no DP Ports correct?

Almost correct. The TV actually has several HDMI inputs, but no DP input. I'm sure I have the correct HDMI input connected.

Again, the same cable, adapter, and monitor work fine on my Dell 7760 laptop which has an mDP output just like the 5 mDP outs on the W5700.

>NOTE: FSADOUGH is AMD Moderator for Professional GPU cards. So he is the person you need to get help from.

Thanks for clarifying this. I'll keep my eyes peeled for his next reply.

[ErikT]

UPDATE: Using a new mDPxHDMI cable (rather than HDMI cable + adapter), I was able to install Windows on the new hardware. I'm optimistic that I'll be able to sort it out from here now, but still welcome any advice anyone wants to offer.

Thanks again all!

[ErikT]

FINAL POST: Changing to a dedicated mDPxHDMI cable solved the problem and I was able to install Windows.

Thanks to everyone who helped - this problem is now solved.