Mocking a connected VGA display
I have an old MEDION Desktop PC which does not boot unless a Display is connected. Thus, I can not use the Computer as a small server. Some Desktop PCs boot into a beep error sequence without a Display. I wonder if this was established so that (cheaper) commodity hardware is not used for servers or to prevent the user from starting the PC if he forgot to connect the display cable.
Searching on the Web I found a way to mock a connected display. This is often used for crypto miners or folding@home to keep the graphics card active, as some suspend or are not usable without a connected Display. Those are often using a HDMI to VGA Connector and mock those with resistors. Usable VGA Dummy plugs are also available, but its not much work do DIY one.
The needed VGA connector layout can be seen here:
I used three 100 Ohm resistors as I did not have 75 Ohm ones at hand. The result looks as follows:
Make sure that the resistors have enough spacing between and are located in a safe place
Source: http://www.soerennielsen.dk/mod/VGAdummy/index_en.php