Problem With ATI X800 XT and DVI

[Tralfas]

I've got a brand new computer, so no driver history on it. The basics on it are:

Windows XP Pro latest patch
Intel P4 3.6ghz CPU
Intel D915BPL Motherboard (PCI Express) lastest BIOS
2gb Memory
480W Power Supply
WD 10k SATA Drive
ATI x800 XT PCI Express Video lastest driver

Basic problem is that if I just plug a display into the DVI port (in this case an Apple Cinema Display 23"), I never get any video.

If I plug a monitor into the VGA port ALSO, then I get video on both the VGA and DVI monitor. If I configure XP such that it only has a single monitor on the DVI port, it still sends BIOS page to the VGA, the windows boot screen to the VGA, and then the VGA display loses signal as the DVI gets it (which is what I would expect as XP only has the DVI configured).

So the answer is how do I get the system to boot WITHOUT having anything plugged into the VGA graphics plug? I really don't care if I don't see BIOS boot info, or the XP boot page, but I do expect to see my DVI Cinema Display at the end working fine. A similar system with an NVidia board works fine with just a DVI based monitor plugged into it (although I do not see the BIOS or XP Boot, but I do get my Cinema Display at the end).

Otherwise this system is working flawlessly. I've burned it in with the 3dMark05 benchmarks for 24 hours straight without a single problem. The DVI display looks/works great once I get the system booted with a VGA display plugged in. I can even unplug the VGA monitor after it boots and not have problems. Is there perhaps some sorta dongle that fakes a VGA display that I need to plug in? Some other sort of settings that I have not found?

Thanks in advance, but this one has be quite puzzled.

[Player0]

What driver versions are you using?

It will generally choose to display on whichever port its sensing the monitor for. Its not doing that which makes me wonder.

I would try the latest Catalyst drivers if you havent already. They always improve dual head compatability.

[BurntMayhem]

sorry but this may seem a bit mundane, but surely the catalyst drivers wont help the graphics card display the boot screen? the catalyst drivers only kick in when windows activates them, surely the lack of output on the dvi port is card bios related not driver based.

[Player0]

As he said in the post, he doesnt care if he sees the boot screen. The latest catalyst drivers may help him at least see Windows when he gets there.

Its a long shot, yet I dont have any other suggestions (other than checking ATI bulletins for this problem).

Im also not sure that Catalyst drivers dont have an affect on firmware. But making sure the drivers are current certainly arent going to hurt the matter.