Author Topic: How do I disable onboard graphics? (Read 353 times)

beet1e · « **on:** July 22, 2003, 06:34:20 AM »

One of you guys might know the answer to this.

I'm helping someone with a PC which has a mobo that none of us would ever touch - Microstar 6511 - two PCI slots - LOL. It doesn't even have a graphics card, but I am going to put in a Radeon AGP. I want to disable the onboard graphics, and was looking for a mobo jumper or a BIOS setting. Can't find either. Can you help? Do I need a BIOS update? If so, where can I get the new BIOS and flash program?

I know that MSCONFIG can be run to disable graphics at next boot, but I don't think that's what I need.

Here are a couple of useful references:

MS 6511 manual - .PDF format, 1 page - LOL
BIOS Settings for this mobo.

flakbait · « **Reply #1 on:** July 22, 2003, 07:25:45 AM »

This is simple enough: plug the Radeon in to the AGP slot, plug the monitor into the Radeon, and crank her up. Odds are the system will bypass the onboard VGA port if there's a card in the AGP slot. If not?

-----------------------
Flakbait [Delta6]
Delta Six's Flight School
Put the P-61B in Aces High

Eagler · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2003, 08:52:33 AM »

maybe jumper on mb

bloom25 · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2003, 07:06:35 PM »

Generally if the board doesn't have a jumper or bios setting (usually labeled "onboard VGA controller" or similar), simply plugging something into the AGP slot will disable the onboard video.

beet1e · « **Reply #4 on:** July 23, 2003, 04:26:45 AM »

Rgr that. I wonder if the presence of a card in the AGP slot will recover that lost 16MB of memory that was being used by the onboard graphics... I'll put the card in, then bring up Memtest86 to check it. I won't be doing this job till later next week.

beet1e · « **Reply #5 on:** August 01, 2003, 07:09:34 AM »

Quote

Originally posted by bloom25
Generally if the board doesn't have a jumper or bios setting (usually labeled "onboard VGA controller" or similar), simply plugging something into the AGP slot will disable the onboard video.

Quite correct. I did the job this morning. With the Radeon in there, Memtest86 detected all 384MB. Installed the ATi drivers, cranked up the resolution a bit, and all was well. The owners noticed how much faster the PC ran. And Julian (7) can play his Age of Empires game. He was thrilled.