Heads-up for black screens on bootup

I have 2 ATI X1900XTX driving 3 Viewsonic VP2130b monitors. On bootup or reboot 1 of 3 monitors apppeared to not get a signal at all even though it was powered-on. I'd highly recommend first check and make sure your monitor cable-type (DVI-I, DVI-D, D-SUB, DVI-A) MATCHES the monitors own onscreen setup menu INPUT PRIORITY setting. This could apply to 1 or more monitors on probably any system with a similar issue.

Each VP2130b came with DVI-I cables included, but I then ordered the DVI-D Dual Link cables because I wanted pure digital signal. I didn't realize I had 1 of my 3 monitors setup (in the monitor onscreen setup menu) with the input priority set as "Auto Search", so on boot the 2 X1900XTX cards initialized and 2 monitors lit, but the 3rd monitor setup menu was set as "Auto Search" and remained black throughout post and desktop (desktop on the other 2 monitors).

First I thought I had a Catalyst software settings issue, and I could force the 3rd monitor from CCC, but on reboot the Auto Search monitor apparently did not have enough time to search for the signal, or calibrate with the X1900XTX, in time for loaded desktop. I then double checked all 3 monitors and found the black screen monitor set to "Auto Search", and setting it to DVI-D as the others solved it. All is well and 3 monitors are then lit for logon. Pics here: http://mysite.verizon.net/fibre/PC/PC.htm

I suspect many monitor issues posted have resulted in untold hours of frustration flashing system bios, reinstalling drivers, etc, when the monitor cable-type and monitor-menu input-type settings could be the answer. At least it was for my combination of hardware. Hope this helps someone and saves time.