ASUS MX299Q monitor fails to detect signal

darkb3at · Jul 17, 2015

I am running Windows 7 64 bit with an AMD 5850HD graphics card. I recently switched from a 2 monitor set up to the Asus MX299q, and am having several issues getting the monitor to detect the output.

I first plugged the monitor in with the DVI Dual Link cable, and it did not auto plug and play. I then tried to plug in the HDMI cable with a DVI-HDMI adaptor into the graphics card, it was able to detect this mode, but at a resolution of 1920x1080. I thought this might have been a graphics card driver issue so I updated to the latest drivers, but still suffer the same issue, it cannot reach 2560x1080 with the HDMI mode.

I also realised if I can get the monitor to work with the HDMI, and THEN I plug in the DVI, and unplug the HDMI, the monitor will switch to DVI automatically and successfully with 2560x1080 resolution.

However, when I powered off/restarted my computer from using the DVI mode, the monitor falls into sleep mode with the red light next to the power button (expected as the computer shuts off), but when the computer starts to boot up again, it cannot automatically detect any mode. Even if I power on the monitor or change the source modes manually, it still rarely manages to detect anything, and it will just fall back into sleep mode.

If I JUST use the HDMI cable through to starting windows, and then restart, the monitor can detect the source and will wake from sleep mode.

So the only way I can work this is to start with the hdmi cable and dvi cable both plugged in, then when i get to windows, i pull the hdmi cable for it to automatically switch to dvi. So bizarre.

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

This sounds like less of an issue with your monitor, and more of one with the video card I think. Do you have the most up-to-date drivers for your card installed? Also, were there a driver disk included with the monitor that may have something you need installed?

darkb3at · Jul 18, 2015

Skeefers :

Yes I uninstalled and reinstalled the latest drivers for the gfx card.

No disk included with the monitor, and I haven't been able to find anything online either on the Asus website or elsewhere.

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

Well, one thing I see on the spec sheet for your video card is that the HDMI connection won't support resolutions that high, so you'll have to use either DVI or DisplayPort to get the full effect. Also, for those 2 connectors, it says that some resolutions may require user configuration. I'm not sure exactly what that means, so I'll have to look into in a bit and get back to you.

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

You might try the steps outlined in this post to see if it works for you:

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/id-1727396/custom-resolution-catalyst-control-center.html

darkb3at · Jul 18, 2015

Skeefers :

Ah ok thanks so now I know HDMI doesn't support the resolution.

When successfully switching to DVI from HDMI, the resolution automatically reaches the max. of 2560x1080, so it's not a setting issue I have with CCC. I still had a look in the HDTV support, and wasn't able to find this resolution maybe because I am already using it. The problem is just establishing a constant detection of the DVI signal.

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

Yeah, I was thinking it might be an issue where the system wasn't displaying at a supported resolution so the monitor wasn't turning on. Do you have a DisplayPort cable to test that connector with? It may be a problem with the DVI port on either the monitor or the video card.

darkb3at · Jul 18, 2015

Skeefers :

I'm afraid I haven't got a DVI-to-DisplayPort cable to test at the moment. However, when I manage to get hold of 1 and it works fine, that would mean the DVI port on the monitor is the issue?

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

I wouldn't get the DVI to DisplayPort adapter, but instead would try a straight through DisplayPort cable (http://www.amazon.com/Cable-Matters%C2%AE-Gold-Plated-DisplayPort/dp/B005H3Q59U) which completely eliminates the DVI ports from the test. Look around for cables like the one I linked, and you may find a better price, btw; that was just the first result I got, and was only intended as an example, not necessarily the best option.

darkb3at · Jul 18, 2015

Skeefers :

My graphics card only has 2x DVI ports, so how else can I get round this?

Skeefers · Jul 18, 2015

Are you sure? Every version of that card that I can find online has 2 DVI ports, an HDMI port, and a DisplayPort. What's the exact manufacturer and model of card you're using?

darkb3at · Jul 19, 2015

Skeefers :

Ok I wasn't sure, haha. I will try to get hold of the DisplayPort Cable, and see if it works. Thanks

darkb3at · Jul 24, 2015

Skeefers :

The DisplayPort cable arrived, but no luck.

It didn't automatically detect it on startup, and I also cannot switch from HDMI startup to DisplayPort.

Only HDMI startup to DVI works.

Might have a word with ASUS support and see what they say, maybe a replacement?

Skeefers · Jul 24, 2015

Hmmmm, odd. Have you looked in your BIOS to see if there are any video settings in there? If your motherboard has onboard graphics, the settings for it in the BIOS may be causing a conflict. What motherboard do you have, and is the BIOS up-to-date?

darkb3at · Jul 24, 2015

Skeefers :

I kind of read up on the BIOS stuff before, but I couldn't find any video settings.

ASUS P8P67 (rev3.1) and current version is 3602, which I believe should be up to date.

Skeefers · Jul 24, 2015

Well, since it doesn't have onboard video, that isn't the issue, and you have the newest BIOS version, so nothing to do there either.

One other thing to try, just for the hell of it; remove the graphics card from your PC, then install it in a different PCIe slot to make sure that isn't the issue. It's unlikely, but you never know I guess.

darkb3at · Aug 2, 2015

Skeefers :

No luck I'm afraid.
HDMI is the only consistent method that is detected.
DVI only works when switching from HDMI after bootup.
DisplayPort doesn't work at all.

aigram · Jan 8, 2016

Old thread, but I just want this out there for those with this monitor to know. I am very, very positive that this monitor is not DisplayPort 1.2 compliant with regards to pin 20 on the DisplayPort on the monitor. From the spec:
"The DisplayPort specification states that a display (known as a "sink" device) must output power
on its DisplayPort input connector. The specification also states that a graphics adapter (known
as a "source" device) must also output power on its DisplayPort output connector. The idea for
providing power on both the "source" and "sink" devices is that certain other devices connected
between the two can receive power. Such devices may be, for example, a repeater or a converter
of some sort.
When a cable is used to connect a display directly to a graphics adapter, the DisplayPort
specification states that the cable must not connect the power line, and the power outputs of the
two devices should not be connected together via the cable.
The cables that were manufactured incorrectly connect the power line through the cable and
allow the power outputs of the display and graphics adapter to be connected together - a
condition that is forbidden in the DisplayPort specification.
Because the two power sources are connected together when using one of these cables,
situations can arise in which one device is actually supplying power to the other. For example, if
the host computer is powered off but the display is on (or even in standby mode), the display will
inadvertently supply power to the host computer, which may cause problems such as not being
able to power on, enter sleep modes or resume correctly. Similarly, if the host computer is
powered on but the display is off, the computer will be supplying power to the display, which may
cause problems with the display powering on."

After putting a voltmeter on pin 20 of the MX299q's DisplayPort, it is supplying 3.3v on pin 20. This is non-compliant.

ASUS MX299Q monitor fails to detect signal

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