No POST screen on 42" LG

So let me make sure I"m understanding you right.

You start PC, and your LG LCD does not show the POST process. It shows "No Signal", however seconds later it then displays Windows loading?

If that's the case, I'd say there's nothing wrong. Modern TVs (LCDs/Plasma) typically don't flash on instantly. They do take a few seconds to power themselves up prior to showing an image.

The fact that it shows via VGA and not HDMI tells me that the TV handles the two inputs differently.

The problem could be related to your HDMI converter system. The PC might not being outputting the right resolution/format when going through the POST process. Therefore, the HDMI connection on your TV (which is usually expecting a 720p or 1080i/p format) may simply not be able to read the incoming signal.

Once windows loads, the video drivers kick in and the signal being sent over the HDMI probably changes. I'd guess that's where the problem is. During POST your video card is running at a very low default resolution. The HDMI connection on the TV probably just isn't backwards capable to show/read such a low resolution/format.

Might want to refer to the TV manual or manufacturer's site to confirm this and make sure there isn't a work around.

All I got from manual was

"Depending on the graphics card, DOS mode may
not work if a HDMI to DVI Cable is in use"......

So I f'in guess thats just got to be my card but....

do you think that a different graphics card say when i upgrade to a 3870 , 4850, or 4870 would be this "special" card? and...

since it says when the hdmi to dvi cable is in use, would a straight hdmi to hdmi work (w/o converter) and / or lead to better picture quality, performance, etc????