ArcadeVGA -- no POST video?

[kgibbons]

Hello all,

I just received my ArcadeVGA card today, and of course I was anxious to get it installed.  

Right now, I'm still in the PC configuration phase of my MAME cabinet project... so I haven't even gotten as far as anything with the cabinet yet.  But nonetheless, I figured the ArcadeVGA card would be a simple task.... simply open up my PC case, removed my nVidia card, and install the ArcadeVGA.  Then of course bring up the system, and install the drivers... a done deal.

However, much to my surprise I'm getting no POST video even while the ArcadeVGA card is installed.  From what I've read in the documentation, the outside VGA connector on the card is supposed to be the standard VGA out (with the correct frequency).  So of course I had my PC monitor connected to this... but still absolutely no POST video, and of course since I couldn't even see the machine post, I couldn't get into my OS.

Now this is an old 15" junk monitor that I use for my little hobby projects.  But if the outside VGA port on the card is supposed to be a standard frequency, then it shouldn't matter... correct?

What's odd, is that the machine does POST, as I can hear the beep and I hear the drives spin up.  So it's going into the OS... but I simply can't see anything on the display.

Any suggestions??

[OSCAR]

In order to run a PC monitor with the outside connector you have to have the ATI drivers loaded for the card in Windows.  Otherwise, just connect the arcade monitor to the center connector, and do everything you need to with the arcade monitor connected instead of a PC monitor.


More info here -->  http://www.ultimarc.com/avgainst.html

[kgibbons]

In order to run a PC monitor with the outside connector you have to have the ATI drivers loaded for the card in Windows.  Otherwise, just connect the arcade monitor to the center connector, and do everything you need to with the arcade monitor connected instead of a PC monitor.


More info here -->  http://www.ultimarc.com/avgainst.html

Well, only problem there is I can't get to Windows to load the drivers.  So basically, you're saying this...

While my nVidia card is installed in the machine, load the ArcadeVGA drivers from my CD.  Then reboot... and while rebooting, power the machine down and install the ArcadeVGA card?

Then upon next Windows boot, I'll get video?

So my understanding then is that it's normal NOT to get video during POST through the ArcadeVGA, if using a standard PC monitor?

[OSCAR]

Well, only problem there is I can't get to Windows to load the drivers.  So basically, you're saying this...

While my nVidia card is installed in the machine, load the ArcadeVGA drivers from my CD.  Then reboot... and while rebooting, power the machine down and install the ArcadeVGA card?

Then upon next Windows boot, I'll get video?

So my understanding then is that it's normal NOT to get video during POST through the ArcadeVGA, if using a standard PC monitor?

That may work, although I didn't try that method.  The recommended method, AFAIK, is to connect your arcade monitor and then load Windows.  THEN you install the ATI drivers.  It sounds like you are trying to skip connecting your arcade monitor, but with the ArcadeVGA that isn't necessary.

The online documentation for the ArcadeVGA may be a bit thin for first time arcade monitor/Windows users, but you can do anything you need to in Windows with an arcade monitor connected to an ArcadeVGA to set up your PC.

[kgibbons]

Well as of right now, I don't even have my arcade monitor in the same location.  I want to get my PC 100% configured to the way I like things first... then deal with the cabinet/arcade monitor, and getting the PC/J-PAC setup.

I guess I'll just hold off completely from installing the ArcadeVGA until I'm ready to interface with the arcade monitor.

but thanks for the replies guys, much appreciated!

KG