SB220Q not working with Dell 5490 unless I Fn+F8 at boot/Windows start

As the title says I can't get the monitor to work if it's connected at boot unless I Fn+F8 right when Windows starts loading.

Tried a different cable already. Same story.

Connect the monitor AFTER Windows loads using the same cable? All good.

Press Fn+F8 right as POST finishes and Windows barely starts booting? All good.

Press Fn+F8 more than a second or two after Windows starts booting? Fail.

Reboot after it's working but don't Fn+F8 right at the restart? Fail.

Disconnect the cable and monitor power after it's failed and reconnect+re-power? Still fail.

Ideas? I can't do much to the laptop since it's work's and locked down including the bios.

Accepted answers

All comments

Easwar

Hi Merodach,

Monitor self test,

1. Power OFF the unit.
2. Unplug all the cables.
3. Press and hold the power button for 30 seconds.
4. Turn ON the unit and check.

Merodach

Unfortunately that did not address the issue but I do believe I found the fix after an experiment.

The issue : monitor out of box works fine in one of two scenarios:
1. It gets attached AFTER Windows is booted

2. Immediately as Windows starts booting Fn+F8 is pressed forcing the display to the monitor.

If it is connected and number 2 above is not done then no amount of Fn+F8 or unplugging and re-plugging will result in the display being sent to the monitor.

The apparent "fix" I literally just stumbled on while doing "grins and giggles" things : with the HDMI cable disconnected or with laptop off enter the menu on the monitor and tell it input is HDMI and auto source is OFF versus the default of auto. The laptop still displays the Dell/Windows booting logo on the built-in display but then switches to the monitor for the logon prompt.

billsey

You don't mention what the Fn-F8 is supposed to do. On my Acer that turns on and off the keyboard backlight...

Merodach

Sorry about that. Dell models it is switch displays.

billsey

Normally you deal with multiple monitors using Windows, the Windows-P shortcut key brings up a menu that lets you choose between various options for displays. I typically run with it set to Extend, which shows my desktop on all monitors, but allows me to move a windows from one to another. How does Fn-F8 differ from that?