NASLite Network Attached Storage

Just rebuilt a box based on a Abit An7 mobo. All works fine BUT if I reboot via the telnet option, it appears to reboot but never comes back.
I have set the BIOS to not stop on any errors as there is no keyboard/mouse or monitor connected. Power the box down and back on again and get the same thing! If I then connect a monitor to it and watch the video card 'announce' itself the box boots fine! I can even disconnect the monitor as soon as I see the video card info and it still boots OK. Why won't it boot without a monitor connected?

Some video cards "read" the type of monitor (monochrome or color) from the connector - however - it's been my experience that they default to monochrome rather than not boot, if there is no monitor attached.

The id signals are

Monitor ID 0 - pin 11
Monitor ID 1 - pin 12
Monitor ID 2 - pin 4
Monitor ID 3 - pin 15

Now - this is purely theoretical - start by booting it with the monitor connected, but powered OFF and see if it will boot - if it does use an ohm meter to check the connector pins listed above for either resistance or direct short circuits between one another and ground (the outer shell).

Once you've determined the short/resistance pattern, you should be able to duplicate it right on the connector.

If you have a defective monitor, you could also try cutting the plug off and attaching the stub to the video card to fool it into thinking there is a monitor attached.

Thanks, I'll give that a try with the power off the monitor. I will see if I have an old PCI card lying around and give that a go as well. Currently it's an old AGP card in it.

I just remove the card all together. My machine has nothing in it but the NIC. All the other stuff is removed. Seems to work just fine.

Try also reseting the BIOS to defaults and then turn off everything that isn't used. Then after the box boots and works, shut it down and remove the video card. Reboot and see if it goes.

Mike

Sorted!! Swapped the AGP for an old PCi card and it reboots fine now! No idea what the AGP was looking for?