Gateway (Acer) machines with VGA/PCI Express issue

[timbo343]

We bought some Slim Chassis Gateway machines (re-branded acers) and we have got a problem where a user wants to 3 screens for their work. We have installed a dual port low profile graphics card giving 2 outputs, one on the DVI and one on the VGA but we are wanting to use the onbouard VGA from the motherboard but the BIOS simply refuses to let us enable it.

 

Basically, in the BIOS, under intergrated peripherals, the Onboard Graphics Controller is greyed out. When the PCI Express card is not in the machine, obviously it reads that it is enabled, but as soon as the PCI Express card is fitted this changes to disabled and it cannot be changed as it is greyed out.

 

Does anyone know how i can enable this so it is not greyed out?

 

Thanks

[difinity]

I don't think there is a way, it's either onboard graphics or a grpahics card, but not both. You could always try a USB to VGA adpater if you wanted 3 monitors.

[3s-gtech]

Yup. For three monitors, you'll need two graphics cards or one with more outputs such as an ATI Eyefinity card. The card being fitted to the motherboard electrically disables the onboard graphics.

[timbo343]

Damm... not to worry, looks like im going to have to buy one of these then Startech USB VGA External Monitor Video Adaptor - Misco.co.uk

 

Thanks