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Started by Frosty33 | | 6 answers
VGA to DVI-D Adapter Not Working
Hola amigos.

First off, a little background. I have a brand new pc build, which I'll link here: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/NZZXVn

The problem is that the monitors only have VGA, and my video card has two DVI-D and one HDMI. Thinking I was clever and thinking ahead, I ordered two VGA to DVI-D adapters. So I put together the computer and everything is working beautifuly.

I only have one monitor, hooked up via HDMI at first. Once I install windows and update ALL the drivers etc. I plug in the monitors via DVI-D adapter. When I plug in one, it comes on for the first twenty seconds or so, and then will go black and come back on for another twenty seconds, and repeat. With the second monitor also plugged in via DVI-D they both come on for a few seconds, then turn black, then come on for another few seconds, etc. They repeat this until I unplug both of them.

I tried plugging one single monitor in with the HDMI and the 2nd monitor straight into the motherboard, except when I plug it into the motherboard (via VGA, HDMI, or DVI-D), nothing happens. It's like the ports are bad. Although all the other ports are working and it doesn't report any problems with them in the BIOS.

Anyways, the only thing that works is using one monitor via HDMI to my GPU. I'm about to return these monitors and pull the trigger on a couple DVI-D equipped ones. Just thought I would post to see if anyone knew the solution before I did that.

The link to the VGA to DVI-D adapters: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00C93JQXS/ref=oh_aui_...

Thanks all
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a b C Monitor
September 12, 2014 2:40:53 AM

Frosty33 said:
VincentP said:
Frosty33 said:
I don't think the adapters are bad, because I tried two and they both did the same thing. I did not know that about the motherboard though, good to know. I guess I'm screwed and I'll end up returning the monitors and upgrading then, thanks.

I'm surprised you were able to buy monitors that have only VGA inputs. I had assumed these were old monitors you already had.
Graphics cards also typically have one DVI-I connector if they don't have D-SUB (VGA). Are you sure these are DVI-D connectors?



They have VGA and HDMI, and yes, this is the video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...


HDMI is compatible with DVI-D up to 1920x1200 @ 60 Hz.
You can get passive DVI to HDMI adapters or DVI to HDMI cables very easily.
This is much better than DVI to VGA because you don't need an active adapter and because the monitor will natively support a digital video signal while it has to convert from analog to digital for VGA.

Example DVI to HDMI cable:
http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-HDMI-Cable-feet-Male-Male/d...

Example DVI to HDMI adapter, to be used with a HDMI to HDMI cable:
http://www.amazon.com/DVI-D-Male-HDMI-Female-Adapter/dp...
September 12, 2014 2:30:18 AM

VincentP said:
Frosty33 said:
I don't think the adapters are bad, because I tried two and they both did the same thing. I did not know that about the motherboard though, good to know. I guess I'm screwed and I'll end up returning the monitors and upgrading then, thanks.

I'm surprised you were able to buy monitors that have only VGA inputs. I had assumed these were old monitors you already had.
Graphics cards also typically have one DVI-I connector if they don't have D-SUB (VGA). Are you sure these are DVI-D connectors?



They have VGA and HDMI, and yes, this is the video card: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
a b C Monitor
September 12, 2014 2:09:27 AM

Frosty33 said:
I don't think the adapters are bad, because I tried two and they both did the same thing. I did not know that about the motherboard though, good to know. I guess I'm screwed and I'll end up returning the monitors and upgrading then, thanks.

I'm surprised you were able to buy monitors that have only VGA inputs. I had assumed these were old monitors you already had.
Graphics cards also typically have one DVI-I connector if they don't have D-SUB (VGA). Are you sure these are DVI-D connectors?
September 12, 2014 1:32:48 AM

I don't think the adapters are bad, because I tried two and they both did the same thing. I did not know that about the motherboard though, good to know. I guess I'm screwed and I'll end up returning the monitors and upgrading then, thanks.

Best solution chosen by Frosty33

a b C Monitor
September 12, 2014 1:27:55 AM

The monitors looking like they are switching on and off will be them searching for a video input.
If the connectors on your motherboard are DVI-D they support only digital video, so a passive DVI to VGA adapter won't work.
DVI-I supports digital and analog video.
The adapters you have purchased are active devices designed for DVI-D. I have seen similar devices from HDMI to VGA.
The quality of these types of adapter is usually pretty poor.

Integrated graphics are disabled when you plug in a dedicated graphics cards, so those video ports on your motherboard won't do anything.
a c 104 C Monitor
September 12, 2014 1:20:47 AM

DVI-I is the adapter you normally need the DVI-D is digital only but if the card only has DVI-D it has to be active DVD-D adapter. Your adapter is most likely faulty since it is active and therefore should work.

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