Update: There seem to be a lot of people with this problem at the moment, judging by the numbers arriving here from Google. So I've made a quick guide on how to fix the Unsupported Video Configuration Detected problem. Please go there for a solution, my original article (which is just a rant) follows.
I recently got a new Dell box at work. As I set it up, I realised that it was missing the cable required to connect the LCD's DVI input to the dual head graphics card.
"No problem", I thought, "I shall plug my trusty CRT into the VGA connector for the on-board graphics". Power on and... I get this...
System halted!
Attention: Unsupported Video Configuration DetectedAction is Required
This computer has an add-in graphics card, but the monitor is plugged
into the integrated video connector.
To attach the monitor cable to the add-in graphics card:1. Shut down the computer
2. Plug the monitor cable into the add-in graphics card connector.
This may require a video adapter or video adapter cable.
(provided with the system)
3. Turn on the computer.This message should not appear after completing these steps.
For more information or help, please refer to the system documentation.
This begs the question, do Dell support the Unsupported Video Configuration Detection? How many monitors have to be tested to ensure that this machine can display a message informing us that displaying stuff is not supported?
I'm glad Dell saw fit to spend money on this feature to protect their customers from themselves. Just imagine if the unsupported video configuration hadn't been detected, and my PC had been allowed to continue to boot. Then I might have been able to continue using the unsupported video configuration to actually do some work. Yikes! </sarcasm>
10 comments
Did you finay get a solution for this. I am facing the same problem.. Levi
The solution was to get hold of the cable which is the same as this one. It should come with the system, but had got left behind. Hope this helps!
if you need to get by you can pull the dvi video card and use the vga card until you get proper cable to use.
first...thanks for posting this... I know it was a while ago that you wrote this, so hopefully you can remember the issue and help me out. I just got a Dell inspiron 530s.... I get the same message as above everytime I boot up.
I don't understand where the monitor is suppose to be plugged in?? I have the BLUE monitor connector plugged into the BLUE slot on the back of the computer.
There is another place..only it looks vastly different and is white. Do I need a adapter and plug it into the white slot on the back? Thanks for any assistance. ps....what if you don't know 5+5.....
Lisa,
I think that what you need is one of these DVI-to-VGA Adapters to attach your old-style VGA monitor to the DVI output of the Inpiron. Basically, the adapter turns the DVI port on the PC (the white one) into the older style VGA port (the blue one) that your monitor can then attach to. For some reason, Dell configure the PC so that when you use the built in VGA port instead of the DVI port, it won't start properly and you get the above message. You can use the adapter to plug your VGA monitor into the DVI port so it will work. Strange I know!
Well I'm afraid you won't be able to post your comment. But you seem to have got it right so well done. Luckily, most spammers don't seem to know the answer :)
IT WORKED!!! Many thanks!! My hubby picked up the DVI MALE TO VGA FEMALE ADAPTER and it starts right up no more screen blocking me!!
Can I ask why on earth all the Dell technicians I talked to knew NOTHING about the adapter? Seems to me it should be the top thing on their list they have for this issue..... thanks again Day!! You saved the day.......... (bad pun huh?) Blessings! Lisa
Almost a year later and this helped me out! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
So your telling me that even tho this card comes with a VGA connection I have to connect it via the DVI connection in order to get it to work?
@Mark:
Not exactly. In my case, the graphics card only had a DVI-out. The motherboard had its own built-in graphics chip with a VGA-out that was prevented from working. Almost as silly as you suggest, but not quite!
I am using 2 samsung monitors with one plugged into the onboard vga card and the other plugged in using a usb to vga adapter. The problem I am having is that the 2nd monitor runs VERY slow. So I decided to install a DVI pci card...once I booted up, I am getting the error above. I disable the onboard video from the BIOS but then all I got was a blank screen. What should I do? Get a dual video card? There's gotta be a way for this to work. Let me know please.
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