How to Disable a Built-In VGA Card on an MSI
By Mike Benson
If you have or plan to install a new graphics card onto your MSI brand motherboard, you may need to disable the integrated graphics adapter to ensure proper functionality. While many of the MSI boards will automatically disable the onboard adapter after you have installed a graphics card, others may require you to disable the onboard card for the BIOS to read your new graphics card's firmware. In cases where you're unable to disable integrated graphics on the MSI motherboard, you can disable the adapter in Windows Device Manager.
Disable in BIOS
Step 1
Turn on your computer. Repeatedly press the key indicated next to "Enter Setup" to access the BIOS. The BIOS on most MSI motherboards is accessible by pressing the "Delete" key.
Step 2
Use the "Arrow" keys to select "Integrated Peripherals." Look for "Onboard VGA," "Onboard Graphics Controller" or other similar text. Use the "Arrow" keys to highlight the option and then use the "Page Up" key to select "Disabled." Press the "F10" key to save and exit. Continue to the next step if you don't see a setting similar to these.
Step 3
Press the "ESC" key once. This takes you back to the main BIOS screen. Use the "Arrow" keys to select "Advanced Chipset Features." Look for "VGA Share Memory," "Shared Graphics Memory," or other similar text. Use the "Arrow" keys to highlight the option and then use the "Page Up" key to select "Disabled." Press the "F10" key to save and exit. If you don't see any options similar to these, you can still disable the onboard graphics card in Windows Device Manager.
Disable in Windows Device Manager
Step 1
Press the "Windows" and "R" keys simultaneously. The Run dialog subsequently opens.
Step 2
Type "Devmgmt.msc" in the "Run" dialog and press "Enter." The Windows Device Manager is subsequently displayed.
Step 3
Double-click "Display Adapters" and right-click your onboard VGA.
Step 4
Click "Disable" and click "Yes" to confirm. The onboard VGA is now disabled.
References
Writer Bio
Mike Benson has been a freelance writer since 2000. He has authored tech guides on eHow as well as product and game reviews on a number of websites. Benson has focused his career in information technology and is educated in COMPTIA A+, electronics, A, B, C networking, search engine evaluation and programming. Benson has a certification of computer fundamentals and literacy.