There's aften confusion out there between the various types of DVI. -A, -D, -I
The very cheap "converters" as you say just re-route the analog pins from DVI-A or DVI-I to a VGA style D-Sub connector. No good on this mobo, since the output is DVI-D and as you say a proper "converter" is needed to convert the digital signals into analog, probably an active device. But I am intrigued by products such as this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/DVI-D-Male-Female-Converter-Adapter/dp/B009C6LMT6/ref=pd_cp_computers_1#productDetails...which seem to show a DVD-D connector on one side, so apparently this should convert the digital output to analog VGA. BUT, some of the buyer feedback claims it does not work, is this because it relies on some specific signals that are not on every DVI-D? Hence my post to see if there is anyone with my F2A85XM-D3H that has used a specific device. BTW, I don't want to buy an expensive converter, a new display would be cheaper!
I am not keen to buy another graphics card just to try, since I couldn't get the first one I tried working. If anyone has used a specific card successfully, then I might well try that.