DVI to VGA Dummy Guide. Required for Multi GPU Folding.

[kup]

These are usually required to run multiple GPU Clients or when you're running Headless (no monitor) systems with the GPU Client.

A DVI to VGA Dummy.

Basically by bridging several of the VGA pins you can trick the GFX card (and Windows) into thinking there is a generic monitor attached and the extended desktop will remain, even after rebooting. No more swapping cables or climbing behind your rig to sort it out.

Now, this guide recommends 75Ohm resistors, but the chap used 68Ohm and I used 90Ohm so I can only guess anything between 50 and 100Ohms will suffice. I've just plugged mine in, but the guide also shows how to solder them in easier.

Happy GPU Folding, people!

Pics and guide taken from XS.

Google Diagram:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/vga_dummy.gif

As stated in the prior thread (linked above): Radioshack apparently does not carry "75 ohm" resistors, but any resistors from ~50-150 ohms will work from what I understand. What I do know is that Radioshack carries 68ohm resistors and they do work. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/009.jpg

Instead of using a VGA plug and then having to attach that to a VGA to DVI adapter--I couldn't foresee any reason why I couldn't just use a DVI to VGA adapter.....so, that's what I did:

[urlhttp://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA%20Dummy/001.jpg[/url]

I originally wanted to solder the resistors in, in order to make sure of a more permenant solution. So, I wanted to get rid of some of the Blue plastic area:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/002.jpg

On this particular adapter the long nuts holding the blue plastic in are apparently screwed in, but they just turn. They wouldn't "unscrew", so I took a more destructive approach:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/003.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/004.jpg

I wanted a bit of the pins exposed, but I also wanted the "support" of the blue plastic. So, I whipped out the dremel and did a minor mod:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/006.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/007.jpg

And wound up with this:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/008.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/005.jpg

After checking out the situation, I realized that there really doesn't seem to be a need to TRY to solder the resistor leads in place. They fit very snuggly. http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/images/smilies/thumbsup.gif So, I made my bend and cut the leads to size, fit them in and wound up with this:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/011.jpg

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f347/Naja002/PC/VGA Dummy/013.jpg

As can be seen in the picture, I alternated the orientation of the actual ceramic resistors in order to create a "built-in" seperator or divider to help keep the leads from contacting each other.

 

[stevehat1]

Guys the easiest way to make one of these is look at the 1st of the pics above and use 1 approx 75 Ohm resistor (I'm using 68 Ohm) with the legs bent in to a U shape. Cut the longer leg to be even with the shorter leg, then insert the legs into pin 1 and pin 6 on the VGA plug and you are done. No soldering, grinding, and no mess it's that easy!!!

 

[kup]

Even better. I'll edit the guide.

 

[SnW]

Mate can i make a little guide on howto without a dummy ?

i mean the whole extend desktop thing !

I understand its a bit more of a hazzle but some people might find it easier ?

i'll do it with screenshots and all , just let me know then i will have a start on it , other wise you can delete this post to keep the guide clean

EDIT oki doki buddy ...tomorrow i am on it now its time to hit the bed

 

[kup]

Of course, go for it.

 

[riotcity76]

According to this dummy plugs are no longer needed :eyes:

v258.xx drivers seem to resolve the dummy plug issue for all OSes, as reported on the folding forum by Leonardo

 

[stevehat1]

According to this dummy plugs are no longer needed :eyes:

Until it's for sure 100% I'm using dummy plugs because I'm a points whore and lack of performance on my part is not an option

 

[Hay11Mac]

where do you get them resistors in the UK??

 

[Hay11Mac]

Forget that last thread, i didn't realise there was a Radio Shack in the UK

 

[kup]

Or maplins.