Can XP/Vista run without a graphics card?

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Just out of curiosity, can Windows boot up and operate without a graphics card present provided you instructed the BIOS to skip on all errors?

If yes, can another computer (which will have a graphics card, obviously) VNC to said computer and be able to see the GUI and navigate it?

I am NOT an admin or anything like that, I don't even have the need to try this! I just want to know if it's possible just for a better understanding of how computers work.

Again: I don't really care for better/easier/cheaper options. Just want to know if running XP/Vista with no GFX is possible so I can have a better understanding of how OS's and motherboards work, that's all.
 
I'm pretty sure that wouldn't happen but maybe someone else would know better. I do know that in my experience of pulling out video cards and attempting to boot computers into what's known as "headless" configurations left me with a useless piece of technology - the OS never seemed to load because I was never able to Remote Desktop into the box(es) afterwards.

Putting the video card back in restored functionality without issues. I think this is the reason a lot of techs keep spare PCI video cards around, even mega-old ones like Matrox Millenniums (fantastic cards). They're useful for having some video card in a machine, even if you plan not to have a monitor attached.
 
Most machines won't finish POST without a video card. No matter how you configure the BIOS.

A video card is required as part of the IBM PC original spec.
 
nessus said:
Most machines won't finish POST without a video card. No matter how you configure the BIOS.

A video card is required as part of the IBM PC original spec.
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This is correct. A computer won't boot at all without a form of video output present; you will get the BIOS beep errors.

I'm guessing there's no onboard video on this motherboard.
 
PurpleDiamond said:
I know the OP was asking about XP/Vista, but doesn't WHS allow you to run a headless system?
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Well, if it's true that the motherboard dictates whether a GFX is required or not, I don't think it would be possible because the BIOS wouldn't boot the OS without the GFX present to begin with.

What about this: Doesn't PCI E allow for hot plugging (removing of cards while OS is up), so would it not be possible to boot up the OS with the graphics card and then remove it and keep the system running without one?
 
Tylerdurdened said:
Well, if it's true that the motherboard dictates whether a GFX is required or not, I don't think it would be possible because the BIOS wouldn't boot the OS without the GFX present to begin with.

What about this: Doesn't PCI E allow for hot plugging (removing of cards while OS is up), so would it not be possible to boot up the OS with the graphics card and then remove it and keep the system running without one?
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That's a bit extreme, wouldn't you say? :) Slap in a cheap shit PCI card and just don't hook anything to the output, done.
 
Joe Average said:
That's a bit extreme, wouldn't you say? :) Slap in a cheap shit PCI card and just don't hook anything to the output, done.
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Yes I know, but we we're just talking about necessary components for a PC to work and I asked the teacher if it's possible to run a server without a graphics card and he said he doesn't know and it'll be interesting to find out sometime later. So it's just simple curiosity

But there could be actual benefits to this I suppose if you wanted to actually try this, such as less power draw and reduced cost by choosing a cheaper motherboard with no built in graphics than one with it (hey, even if it's 1 cent difference, it's still saving :))
 
Tylerdurdened said:
Yes I know, but we we're just talking about necessary components for a PC to work and I asked the teacher if it's possible to run a server without a graphics card and he said he doesn't know and it'll be interesting to find out sometime later. So it's just simple curiosity

But there could be actual benefits to this I suppose if you wanted to actually try this, such as less power draw and reduced cost by choosing a cheaper motherboard with no built in graphics than one with it (hey, even if it's 1 cent difference, it's still saving :))
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Yeah, 'cause teachers... they know their shit. Geez... ;) Sorry, I've known some really good and quality teachers in my lifetime, but then again I've known some idiots that simply shouldn't be labeled or addressed as "teacher" because it's an insult of the highest order to the actual good ones...

While technically it might be saving on energy to some degree, the "cost" associated with setting up and maintaining such a device is counterproductive in the long run. Slap a card in it and be done with it. :D

NEXT!!!
 
It should work, headless terminals are pretty common. Of course those have a video card, even though its not connected to anything. Set the BIOS to not halt on errors.


A video card is required as part of the IBM PC original spec.
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Although this may be true too. I'm not sure how closely each mobo and chipset maker matches the original specs.
 
Joe Average said:
Yeah, 'cause teachers... they know their shit. Geez... ;) Sorry, I've known some really good and quality teachers in my lifetime, but then again I've known some idiots that simply shouldn't be labeled or addressed as "teacher" because it's an insult of the highest order to the actual good ones...

While technically it might be saving on energy to some degree, the "cost" associated with setting up and maintaining such a device is counterproductive in the long run. Slap a card in it and be done with it. :D

NEXT!!!
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Thanks, but still doesn't answer my question. It's not a matter of cost or efficiency, but a matter of knowing how computers operate. "Throw a cheap card on it" does not answer that question :confused: Thankfully it's been answered by two guys above. I just thought maybe someone had an experience without it. Maybe specifics, like all motherboards produced after 2000 require a GFX and all older ones don't
 
Tylerdurdened said:
Thanks, but still doesn't answer my question. It's not a matter of cost or efficiency, but a matter of knowing how computers operate. "Throw a cheap card on it" does not answer that question :confused:
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None of us here are getting paid to answer the question, whereas your 'teacher' is... soooo... ;)
 
Joe Average said:
None of us here are getting paid to answer the question, whereas your 'teacher' is... soooo... ;)
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And you're turning this about how much "teachers" suck why exactly?

I just mentioned my "teacher" (replace teacher with fucktard if it helps you sleep better, ok?) because you obviously REQUIRED a reason for me asking this question and I already told you it's not about actually me wanting to do it, but for knowledge.

I guess you're not that much better than my fucktard, though, because you apparently don't know the answer to this yourself, and prefer to throw a cheap PCI card

And where did you get the impression I'm demanding an answer? I'm asking a question on a forum, where someone may know better answers than throw a cheap PCI card on it, purely for knowledge. If you don't have said knowledge, why bother answering? Do you not think I know that a desktop would be more functional with a graphics card?

Bottom line: Don't answer questions if you have nothing better than a "you're an idiot, do as I tell you" to contribute. I understand your e-peen requires feeding with a specific amounts of posts per day, but come on, I got you the first time and explained I wanted to know this for technical reasons, not for real life situations.

NEXT!!!!
 
your best bet to building headless systems is to buy server boards rather than everyday boards. Tyan and SuperMicro probably has what you need.
 
Your question was answered not once, not twice, but three times so far - by three different posters - and you're still going on. Think about it.
 
I'm pretty sure this is hypothetical guys, and he doesn't actually have said computer.
I agree with you tyler, they are a bunch of fucktards, telling you to buy imaginary shit ;)
 
I have an XP machine that doesn't have any video. The motherboard beeps at startup but it gets into windows fine. I control it with Radmin. The only problem is it makes the res 640x480, 4bit color.
 
Yes and no. I remember, there was a project to dump the boot process such as a bootloader via serial port for Windows, so you can monitor for chkdsk and corruption during boot through a serial terminal session. I can't remember the name or the project was complete.
 
TheGamerZ said:
I have an XP machine that doesn't have any video. The motherboard beeps at startup but it gets into windows fine. I control it with Radmin. The only problem is it makes the res 640x480, 4bit color.
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doesnt have video, or doesnt have a video card (integrated or not)
 
I can understand answering hypothetical questions in the spirit of learning, but at the same time, you also have to think...does it matter if something is possible or not, because the concept in question may be entirely pointless. If you start from the other way around....and think of a purpose to doing something, you'll find your questioning will be much better.

By the way, to clear up some things I've seen in here...headless just means without a monitor....has nothing to do with having a video card installed or not. With RDP built-in, most system could be run headless, if needed.
 
Joe Average said:
That's a bit extreme, wouldn't you say? :) Slap in a cheap shit PCI card and just don't hook anything to the output, done.
Click to expand...

This.

If you don't have one, many computer stores will have a 'bargain-bin' full of them.
 
I have a WHS running on a Gigabyte board with no video card, no on board video of any kind. It boots just fine. It does beep during post, but loads the OS just fine. I use RDP and WHS console to admin.
 
PurpleDiamond said:
I know the OP was asking about XP/Vista, but doesn't WHS allow you to run a headless system?
Click to expand...

Well yes. But the server will still have a video card. It's required. You just remote in like you would with any computer.
 
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