Dell Optiplex - Forcing Video output

[Channel Hopper]

Customer has lent me an Optiplex for burning a couple of discs, bt the machine has a DVI Graphics card on top of the motherboard SVGA output. I only have a SVGA monitor and the screen shows up a 'system halted' page with advice on how to connect up the DVI cable :-Nooo

I can't even enter the Bios by the way as the system halt message comes up immefiately after the system password.

Can I 'persuade' the Dell to run with the SVGA output as I don't want to start taking somebody elses kit apart unless absolutely necessary.

 

[2cvbloke]

Get a DVI to SVGA adaptor, they usually do the trick, if not, attack the BIOS with ye olde CMOS reset switch/button/jumper on the motherboard to reset everything to defaults...

 

[Topper]

I have to say CH I am not aware of any such capabilities for my GX620 and mine also uses the above mentioned adaptor and there is no other connector on the mobo, the GX range was however sold for many years and each model had differing capabilities from the early GX 60 up to the GX 820 some 5 years later

 

[Channel Hopper]

This is the 745, and after getting bored, I took the lid off and found the additional DVI card is on its own removable cassette. The machine now powers up fine and allows viewing of everything via the SVGA port on the motherboard.

A closer look however reveals the MB has no provision for IDE stuff, (both hard drive and DVD are SATA), so I won't be buying one myself.

Just hoping it all goes back together before Tuesday.