DVI display doesn't come up after restart

Tried the other systems. Same behavior.
I have 2 other dvi cables. Same behavior.
The monitor+dvi cables work with my laptops.

That leaves the video card.
Are you saying that you wouldn't suspect the mother board?

Also, everything used to work, ie. something broke.

Thanks for helping me with this.

Yes, the DVI port.

If I plug in my older 15" ADC monitor (ie. by itself) it seems to work. That is, it hasn't exhibited the symptom of the DVI port yet. However, if I hot plug the ADC monitor in while the DVI monitor is plugged in and experiencing the "not turning on" symptom, the ADC remains black. If I startup with both plugged in, the ADC will turn on while the DVI will misbehave. When this happens, the system thinks the DVI is on (as the main monitor).

more data:
The DVI monitor is a Viewsonic VX924 19".
If I cycle power on the DVI monitor during the symptom, it will flash the "no signal" message. If I turn the DVI monitor off (or switch to the analog input) at any time, the workaround is required to get it back on.

The reason I am suspicious of another cause outside of the video card (warranted or not) is that this is exactly the symptom of my old card (also Radeon 9000). I assumed the problem was the card and replaced it with another used (yes, a possible red flag) 9000. It fired up the first time after installing it but now a week later is back to it's old tricks.

Do these Radeon 9000 cards have a history of this?
Could there be something up with the monitor that's beating up on the card?
I'm using a 10' DVI cable. Again, the cable and monitor work with both laptops.

As I said, I have the same results with a 2nd 6' DVI cable. Also, consider that this setup worked trouble free for 2 or 3 years before having a problem.

Bottom line: something changed (ie broke).

I do agree that 2 of anything having the same squirrely failure mode is suspicious and usually points to something else.

It sounds like you have information or opinion on the Radeon 9000 that a 6' or 10' DVI cable is too long for reliable operation. Is this correct?
Or is that comment more aimed at the monitor? Perhaps something in the monitor has degraded over time?

It sounds like you do not suspect the 9000 to have a history of this problem. Correct?


Well, the 6' DVI cable is new. That was the attempt at a cheap fix. Wasn't that.
The used 9000 was the next level up. It either wasn't that or there's lots of bad ones out there.
Looks like my only options are to try a new video card (ie not used) or a new monitor.
Apparently it wants real money spent on it. Insidious isn't it?

I'm interested to hear opinions on card choices or monitor options.
Again, thanks for your time on this.