I tried to get the Mercury system running, but it seems that I don't get any video signals. The graphic is onboard. Strange is, that my display doesn't switch back from D-SUB (mercury) to BNC (my pc) so there must be some kind of signal, else it would switch back to BNC.
I tried an other video card, but there I get absolutely no signal, switching back from D-SUB to BNC.
Has anyone an idea?

The problem is that I don't know much about it.
I don't knwow if any OS is installed.  But it seems that booting doesn't take to long. You can hear the system booting up, that's all.
It's a dual cpu system (Xeon or P2) with CD-Rom, disk drive, 9,1 GB SCSI HD and onboard video and scsi controller.

I know that NT4 is required, but without any video signal I have a problem.

Hi Fish  ;D

According to  LogicalMadness, You need  Driver Q3D and NT4 system. The Mercury is only compatible with Intel L440GX (Motherboard). For more information, contact with him!  ;)

Regards,
Oscar

Hi osckhar,

it's the original Mercury System, so the board should be fine. But without any video signal, there is no chance to install any OS or drivers.

Only if I remove the mercury from the system. But I guess that's not the problem. I can't see a direct connection between the mercury and the video onboard. It's not like a connection of a V2 with the 2D card  through a loop cable.

wrote on 15.08.04 at 11:26:28:

This is an old trick in the books.

I know that, but it's a bit complicated to remove the Mercury. I have to remove structure from the case and I hoped that there would be an easier way.
The Mercury is the only card in the system.

The seller had the same problem, but he didn't test the system properly.

Yes, but the problem is still the video signal. If I get no signal, there is not much to test. :'(

Seems to be a cirrus logic onboard chip.

I try to get more information of the board.

Hello @Fish! :D

If the mainboard turns out to be faulty, you might be interested in one of these auctions... ;)

Intel 440GX with 2x PIII 500MHz 512MB RAM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1244&item=6701561973&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Intel 440GX with 2x PIII 450MHz 512MB RAM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1244&item=6701562231&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Intel 440GX with 2x PIII 450MHz 512MB RAM

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1244&item=6701562378&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

Hope that helps! ;D

(Sorry that they are server boards, but they were the ONLY 440GX boards I could locate! Besides, it's worth it to get a mercury rig going!) ;)

GOOD LUCK! 8)

Hi paulpsomiadis,

great work! That looks exactly like my board. I'm pretty sure it is exact the board I have.
Perhaps I should try to get one of these boards.

Thanks
fish

Ok, removed the Mercury.... still the same problem.
It's possible that the onboard video is damaged.

Now I have found a specification for the board. I tried to clear CMOS. After you set the right jumpers you have to reboot with clear CMOS jumper active. Then there should appear the message that CMOS has been cleared and then you have to rejumper.
But if I try this, I get absolutely no video signal (display switches from D-SUB to BNC). That's seems strange to me.
Finally I guess I need a new motherboard.  :'(

Is it possible, that the internal video device is adjusted on CGA or Hercules and a VGA display can't show these modes?
I never worked with server boards, so I have no idea.

I seriously doubt it mate! :(

If you think about it logically, the internal display chip would HAVE to be in VGA mode if it worked - as the Mercury system only works on a VGA display! :P

Someone hit me if I'm wrong...heheheh! ::)

That was my last hope.

So, is anyone from the US? The guy with the 440GX mainboards won't ship to germany.

wrote on 17.08.04 at 09:53:32:

So, is anyone from the US? The guy with the 440GX mainboards won't ship to germany.

I'll will be more then happy to forward anything you need from the US as I have done for other board members and they have done for me!

Gary

Thanks Gary, that would be great. Would be a mess that I couldn't test the Mercury just because the onboard video device of the motherboard is damaged.

An idea-

Remove the Mercury system and install a non-3dfx PCI 2d video card and see if the machine will boot off that and give you a screen.

This would at least tell you if the other items in the system work and you might be able get into the bios and shut down the onboard video.

If the computer has 5 pci slots, at that point you can re-install the Mercury and test.

Just a kludge till you get another board if that is the problem, I would want the onboard to work so the unit would be in "as shipped" spec for my collection ;-)

I already checked that... didn't work. If I try an external video device I don't get any signal. From the onboard device I get a signal but no screen. :(

Any news on what's happening guys? ???

@gdonovan - have you and @Fish arranged a 'deal' to buy one of those mainboards I found? ???

Hopefully the Mercury system can be fixed! ;)

No news at the moment.
Try to get one of the boards you postet. Then we will see further.