HDTV display won't turn back on
We have a WinXP PC that uses an ATI FireMV graphics card to display onto 3 monitors, 1 regular PC monitor, 1 small HDTV via VGA, and 1 bigger HDTV via DVI -> HDMI converter and HDMI into the TV. The problem we are having is only with the big TV connected via DVI/HDMI.
The PC stays on all the time, but the TVs get shut off overnight. In the morning, you go to turn on the TVs and the big one does not pick up any signal. It displays as if there was nothing plugged into it. The other two monitors take off no problem. What we have been able to do to "make it work" is to go into windows display properties settings, click the problem display, and uncheck the "extend desktop to..." box, apply, then recheck the box. After doing that, the TV will come up with the display. This leads me to believe that the problem is in the PC, as apposed to the TV. I've verified that the PC is not going into hibernate or suspend. This problem used to only happen once a month or so, but it has been happening every day lately.
The PC stays on all the time, but the TVs get shut off overnight. In the morning, you go to turn on the TVs and the big one does not pick up any signal. It displays as if there was nothing plugged into it. The other two monitors take off no problem. What we have been able to do to "make it work" is to go into windows display properties settings, click the problem display, and uncheck the "extend desktop to..." box, apply, then recheck the box. After doing that, the TV will come up with the display. This leads me to believe that the problem is in the PC, as apposed to the TV. I've verified that the PC is not going into hibernate or suspend. This problem used to only happen once a month or so, but it has been happening every day lately.
flubbster
Have you tried going straight into the tv with a DVI Cable ( no adapter). I think it will be a worthwhile test.
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I've tested further, and if you turn the TV off for <10 seconds, the display will come back but if you have it off for any longer than that, it will not. I've updated the ATI video card drivers, and am still having the same problem. I've double checked, and the computer is not going into sleep/hibernate.
I found some information suggesting it is a ongoing problem with ATI drivers. Somebody was nice enough to write a little app that refreshes the HDMI signal. I've tested it, and this workaround does indeed bring back the display. Kind of a pain to do, but better than nothing. Obviously, it would be best if ATI would just fix their drivers!!!
Here's the fix: http://thydzik.com/hdmion-a-solution-to-loss-of-dvi-video-epid-signal-on-hd-tvs/
Also, like Callandor suggested, inserting some piece of hardware into the dvi/hdmi line has also been sugested to fix the problem. An example has been given at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-EXT-DVI-EDID-Dvi-Detective/dp/B0002CZJ8O
I found some information suggesting it is a ongoing problem with ATI drivers. Somebody was nice enough to write a little app that refreshes the HDMI signal. I've tested it, and this workaround does indeed bring back the display. Kind of a pain to do, but better than nothing. Obviously, it would be best if ATI would just fix their drivers!!!
Here's the fix: http://thydzik.com/hdmion-a-solution-to-loss-of-dvi-video-epid-signal-on-hd-tvs/
Also, like Callandor suggested, inserting some piece of hardware into the dvi/hdmi line has also been sugested to fix the problem. An example has been given at this link: http://www.amazon.com/Gefen-EXT-DVI-EDID-Dvi-Detective/dp/B0002CZJ8O