Nvidia HDMI problem

[Dos_Box]

I've been struggling with this for several days now and it's really beginning to annoy me.

At home I have a 32" TFT TV with a media center PC beneath it running Vista. I have just upgraded the motherboard a few weeks ago to this lovely Gigabyte model (http://www.vnunet.com/personal-computer-world/hardware/2207737/review-gigabyte-ga-73pvm-s2h) ). This model comes with a HDMI connector and works perfectly with my TV. The only problem is that it takes 256MB of the system RAM to power the GeForce 7100 on board graphics chip.

I want to use my old graphics card, a GeForce 7300 with 256MB of its own RAM, passively cooled and HDMI port (http://www.msicomputer.co.uk/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1106&maincat_no=130).

The problem I have is that the HDMI port bombs out when booting up. Once Vista loads the drivers the HDMI input switches off (the on board chip is disabled). I have a small TFT next to it connected to the DVI port which continues to function correctly. The TV is simply not picked up at all. I'm sure it is a driver issue as the boot screen is visible on both outputs right up until Vista drivers kick in. Windows does not see the TV at all, so it looks as though the HDMI output is completly disabled

I have tried uninstalling the drivers and installing the latest ones but to no avail. The on board outputs work perfectly in this configuration BTW (TV-TFT monitor connected to the motherboard display outputs).

Has anyone else experienced HDMI oddities like this? I'd really like a solution to this problem or else I'd have to sell my old card with the old motherboard and RAM. Why is it this hard!!!!!!!!!!

[contink]

If I was a betting man I'd say you're experiencing the growing pains related to HDMI and one of those "quirks" similar to the fun and games that multiple monitor setups used to have with Win2k and onwards.

 

The fact that you're using the same driver manufacturer is a good start as Vista has a known limitation that won't allow say Nvidia with ATI in normal setups.

 

I'd recommend cruising the forums here:

http://www.realtimesoft.com/multimon/forum/forums.asp?tmpl=UltraMon

 

... and someone may well have some insights that could help.

[Bromcom_John]

Not sure if it will help or is even related but.. the SP1 for Vista does mention "improved driver support" in its write up.. So it could well be, and this is without any other documented evidence, the drivers missing fom the current Vista build..

Have you tried the SP1 update or still on Vista out of the box?

[Dos_Box]

I used the card painlessly with my old system. Its just annoying the hell out of me. The multiple monitors setup works with the on board GPU, just not with the card.

[Dos_Box]

Mind you I may just get this one to see if it works

http://global.msi.com.tw/index.php?func=proddesc&prod_no=1231&maincat_no=130&cat2_no=136#

[PeterW]

Which driver versions have you tried? There are beta & whql candidates being leaked almost daily.

 

Is this the issue here http://forums.nvidia.com/index.php?showtopic=58173 ?

Edited February 22, 2008 by PeterW

[Dos_Box]

I downloaded the very latest versions. I've a sneaking suspicion I should remove all the nVidia chipset drivers too as they tie in the 630i to the GPU and reinstall them as well. I shall try tonight. I do like the look of that 8500 card though. It'll be better that the 7300 at HD processing.

[Geoff]

It's not a HDCP problem is it? If the HDMI output of the machine isn't HDCP compliant, Vista will disable the output.

[Dos_Box]

No. I used this card on the same machine before I upgraded the motherboard. I suspect that it is because it uses the nVidia 610i-7100 combination. I think that the 630i chipset is looking for the HDMI on the disabled onboard display adapter.