ASUS Monitor turns off & on when in UEFI/BIOS

Barty1884

Retired Moderator
Hi all,

Just installed my new M.2 drive and installed my OS - I've noticed that my (new) monitor is restarting itself, while in BIOS only.

It doesn't happen in either POST splash logo or Windows environments, but it does in the BIOS.

Monitor will simply go black, then restart with the monitors 'splash' ASUS (not the motherboards 'splash', just to be clear - the computer itself certainly is not restarting).

Connected via DisplayPort (not sure if it matters, but certainly can't hurt to state).

I've noticed (or at least think I'm seeing this) that it seems to occur when I 'stop' doing anything - after pressing enter on a selection, or without moving keys or the mouse for a couple of seconds. Doesn't appear to occur if I'm doing...well, anything really. The minute I stop, the problem occurs.

Any thoughts? I didn't notice the issue before I installed the M.2/OS, but I can't say I spent much time in the BIOS prior to that (I only got the monitor roughly a week ago).

Have loaded optimized defaults (except amending the boot priority to select my M.2 drive).
BIOS is the latest version.

Never heard of this issue before, so I'm at a loss as to where to go from here.

Specs:
I5-4690k
Asus Z97A/USB3.1
Noctua NH-D15
2x8GB G.Skill RipjawsX 1333MHz
256GB Samsung 950 Pro M.2 (PCIe)
240GB Samsung 850 Evo
1TB Seagate Barracuda
1TB WD Blue
EVGA GTX 960 2GB
ASUS AC55R, AC1300 USB 3.0 Wifi adapter
Fractal Design R5 Black w/ Window
EVGA SuperNOVA B2 750W
Windows 10 Home
ASUS VP27Q-P 27" LCD IPS 1080p

 
Solution
Well, to rule out the DisplayPorts on the GPU being broken, you could take out the GPU and plug the monitor into the motherboard DisplayPort (running off integrated graphics) instead. Then see if the problem persists.

Just for diagnostic purposes of course.
Now appears to be occurring at random times - got a monitor reboot loop for a while (in BIOS). I know the rig itself is still running as, when the monitor does finally return - I'm in exactly the same spot as I was when it turned off.

Happened during the OS boot now too.

I can only assume it's the monitor, cable or GPU.

This is the first time I've connected via DisplayPort, so there's potential it's the DP from the card (previously DVI which worked fine). Tried multiple GPU ports for DP.

I'll try other cables & input methods (the monitor also has HDMI and VGA) and see if I can narrow it down. I have another 14 days or so to return it to the store for an exchange, so that's a positive.

Anything else I should be checking? What's most likely to be at fault? GPU, cable or monitor?

Thoughts?
 
Further update: Tried another DP cable (no idea if the cable works, I just had it in my 'collection') - and no signal (same symptoms as the prior cable). Again, tried multiple ports on my GPU.

So, tried HDMI, and messed around in the BIOS for a while trying to mimic what I'd been doing previously, and no issues thus far. Booted into OS etc with no problems either. Still to try gaming on it though.

Would welcome any input with suggestions to troubleshoot further, but the fact it works via HDMI is good enough for me. Assuming it holds up to gaming, of course.

I guess at this point it's (reasonably) safe to rule the DP cable out.

Any way to determine whether it's the DP output on the GPU that's faulty, or the input on the monitor?
I guess it's more likely to be the input on the monitor (as the common denominator), as I tried different ports on the GPU - but I'm not too knowledgeable regarding the internal controllers etc.

Do each DP port operate fully independently on the GPU?

I guess I'm asking whether a defective DP port on the GPU would impact all the DisplayPorts? Or, if fully independent of each other, on faulty DP would have no bearing on the other(s)?
 
Well, to rule out the DisplayPorts on the GPU being broken, you could take out the GPU and plug the monitor into the motherboard DisplayPort (running off integrated graphics) instead. Then see if the problem persists.

Just for diagnostic purposes of course.
 
Solution