A lot of desktop bios chips check for video memory/settings during the
power on self test (POST). It might be that your system just won't boot
without a video card.

See http://www.computerhope.com/beep.htm#04

Ciao,
benjamin
On Tue, 2008-01-01 at 13:02 -0600, Jeremy wrote:
> How can I run a box without a video card?  My video card fan fried yesterday.  
> The card still works, but something makes bad smells when it runs (I think 
> it's the fan).
> 
> I'd buy a new card, but the stores are closed today.  I might try to salvage 
> or improvise a fan from my pile of parts, but I was hoping I could just run 
> the box headless.
> 
> I tried booting without the card, but I can't ping the box.  There weren't any 
> beep codes.  The HD light flashed a number of times, but not enough to 
> indicate a full boot.  I can powerdown with a quick press of the soft power 
> button, so I'm guessing it's either a bios prompt or something early in the 
> boot process.  The mobo is a gigabyte ds3r for core2-quad, and doesn't have 
> onboard video.
> 
> What would be stopping the box from coming up?  Is it a bios prompt, or is 
> Linux expecting something?  
> 
> Jeremy
> 
> 
> 
> 
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