I can't access the BIOS because ...

[Picard]

... my graphics card only switches the screen on after Windows' load screen is running.

If I press DEL (to access the BIOS) before the display has started ... the graphics card refuses to display anything.

Other than this everything works fine.

Can anyone help?

 

[Sinbad]

Do you have on board graphics as well?

 

[Picard]

Nope

 

[FlatspinZA]

I had problems like with an i7 950 - thing was too damn quick. There must be another key you can push. One of the suggestions on the Internet was to unplug your KB (assuming it's USB), wait for the "No keyboard" error, plug it back in, and then when in your BIOS (if you get in), enable the pre-delay and/or floppy-seek, which should slow down your boot times.

 

[Picard]

Please check out this link with the responses towards the end.

http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/314399-30-enter-bios-graphics-card-installed-gigabyte-ud5h

So it appears the motherboard itself works just fine.. it's just their BIOS seems to have issues with some display/video card combinations

I have an i5 2500K CPU, a Z77A-G43 mobo, a Radeon 6870 GPU ... but still use a 17" CRT monitor ... don't laugh.

Could this be the issue?

 

[biometrics]

HDMI? Connect a VGA display as well. Depends on your configuration but I have some PC's in the office that only displays the BIOS on VGA not HDMI.

Edit: see you mention a CRT, guess that is VGA.

 

[sajunky]

Reset CMOS. If doesn't help, you need some old VGA card to enter setup, it could be PCI (disconnect power cord and remove GPU).

 

[biometrics]

Try holding down any key so a keyboard error is detected during the BIOS test.

 

[Chris14]

i wonder try pressing "F2" or "F10"?

 

[Picard]

Sorry, I'm an idiot. My mobo does indeed have a VGA port (after crawling in underneath my desk with a flashlight to check).

Bottomline is. My MSI Z77A mobo + Radeon 6870 + not VGA interface = no access to BIOS.

I plugged in the VGA connector directly onto the mobo's VGA interface ... it works.

 

[Sinbad]

Sorry, I'm an idiot. My mobo does indeed have a VGA port (after crawling in underneath my desk with a flashlight to check).

Bottomline is. My MSI Z77A mobo + Radeon 6870 + not VGA interface = no access to BIOS.

I plugged in the VGA connector directly onto the mobo's VGA interface ... it works.

In the bios see if there's an option for first video initialisation. Sme of them you can make fire up the pciX before they fire up on board...

 

[bromster]

I hate that. Now that it's working, set your display detection inside the BIOS to PCi-Ex, not auto.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

You seriously still have a crt? That is so retro

 

[Picard]

You seriously still have a crt? That is so retro

I'm first waiting for it to break before I replace it.

 

[saguran]

I remember me first screen was a LG 17" Flatron. That thing was the bomb.

 

[EmileS]

I'm first waiting for it to break before I replace it.

Those CRTs die hard... If they do, they go out with a bang (mostly)!

But, seriously dude... You poor i5 and 6870... Can't even use them to their full potential. Just grab a cheap LCD or LED 19" or bigger! Never mind the much better and bigger display, but the desk space saving!

 

[Pada]

Those CRTs die hard... If they do, they go out with a bang (mostly)!

But, seriously dude... You poor i5 and 6870... Can't even use them to their full potential. Just grab a cheap LCD or LED 19" or bigger! Never mind the much better and bigger display, but the desk space saving!

I hope you realize that some CRT's has higher resolutions than 20" LCD's!
Like my 17" LG Flatron F700P did like 1600x1200 @ 75Hz or 1920x1440 @ 60Hz. I often played CS1.6 at 1024x768 @ 100Hz with VSync on, which was fantastic.

 

[sajunky]

I hope you realize that some CRT's has higher resolutions than 20" LCD's!

Not only resolution, but colour depth. Easier for eye on long use with 70Hz+ refresh rate. I repaired 20" Sony GDM-5402, resqued from scrap, great monitor.