Community Newsletter: Q&A: 12/24/04 Disabling a PC's integrated graphic/audio component

Disabling a PC's integrated graphic/audio component

In reply to: 12/24/04 Disabling a PC's integrated graphic/audio component by Lee Koo (ADMIN) 

Mark G.'s answer is helpful, but there are other things that are important.
The newer, faster AGP cards also use different voltages to power them which is why it is not a good idea to put an AGP4/8 card in an AGP 1/2 slot.
Putting the card in the slot sounds easy until you do it. It can take a fair amount of force. The card should be rocked into the slot, so you are not pushing on all the pins at the same time. There should also be some non-conducting support behind the socket so you don't bend the motherboard too far and crack any of the tiny wires that make it work.
Not all of the cards on sale today will work with all of the games available, especially the newer games. Many are written for hardcore gamers and "bleeding edge" video cards. Check your game requirements and card specs carefully. Sometimes there is a support forum for the game and card that will give you advice.
You may have to set your display to something Windows supports internally (like VGA or SuperVGA) before changing cards. Especially with older versions of Windows, trying to use old drivers on a new card that Windows doesn't recognize can make a nasty mess of your system. Using Safe or VGA mode can help.
Two more items worth mentioning. On some computers you may have to use Device Manager to disable the old on-board video (make sure it lists the new one before you disable the old one). You may also want to enable resetting ESCD in the BIOS - it gives Windows a kick to remind it to look for changes.