Thread: HOWTO: Acer Aspire 3820TG disable ATI graphics. Intel-only mode

acer 3820tg: how disable ati graphics in bios. unlock intel-only graphics mode (by prikolchik)

intro:
acer 3820tg has switchable graphics ati , intel. few months back, there many people having problems both graphics cards running @ same time. there people wanted run in intel-only graphics mode, , either use vga_switcheroo or small program makes acpi calls , disables unused ati graphics card.

right see many people asking issue. found simple , quick way disable unused ati card in bios. involves either using tool unlock hidden menu in bios or flashing modified bios unlocked hidden menu.

here present way disable ati graphics on hardware level in bios.

many to: kizwan @ nbr discovered method.

description:
apparently, acer included hidden bios menu allows disable ati graphics. menu not accessible default -- hidden. there 2 ways can enable menu. 1 way use symcmos.exe tool (requires no bios flashing , safe). other way flash modified bios created kizwan has hidden menu permanently unlocked.

suggest reading both methods. use 1 suits best.

note: first method might work other acer laptops have intel/ati switchable graphics , phoenix bios. second method 3820 tg/tgz/tz

method 1 (easy): using symcmos.exe tool unlock hidden menu
pros:
- easiest , safe
cons:
- not permanent. if reset bios default, unlocked menu gone

idea change bios setting in nvram using simple dos program.

here how it:
step 1. create bootable usb flash drive:

windows: use hp disk storage format tool format flash drive

linux: use gparted (or tool) format flash drive fat/fat32 , set boot flag true (select partition, right click , check flags).

copy ms dos files (you need copy 3 files: command.com, io.sys, msdos.sys) flash drive.


step 2. download symcmos.exe (mirror) , save root of formatted flash drive.


step 3. connect flash drive, restart computer, , right after post press f12 access boot menu. if not come up, press ctrl+alt+del reboot computer , try again. might disabled in bios. in case, press f2 , find "f12 boot menu" , set "enabled". press f10 , save changes. try f12 again.


step 4. once boot flash drive, should see like:

code:

c:>\

this dos command prompt. dump bios settings nvram file called default.txt:

code:

symcmos -v2 -ldefault.txt

note: lowercase l in front of default.txt

reboot computer via power button, or press ctrl+c.


step 5. turn on computer, boot operating system.
in root of flash drive should see default.txt. open default.txt file notepad (windows) or gedit (linux). locate (0141) change value next 0000 0001. after made changes, save new file, let new.txt. make sure save new.txt file on flash drive.


step 6. reboot computer , boot usb flash drive again.

write new bios settings nvram:

code:

symcmos -v2 -unew.txt

once tool completes, reboot computer.


step 7. please see accessing unlocked menu , changing graphics @ end of post.

references: kizwan's original post

method 2 (advanced): flashing modified bios has menu unlocked default
warning: there chance permanently damage computer. proceed @ own risk!
pros:
- permanent. stay if bios settings reset default
cons:
- relatively hard
- there chance brick computer. still possible recover via this method (bios recovery) though

note: read method 1 learn how create bootable flash drive , boot it.

step 1. if bios not v1.19, download unmodified acer bios support website , flash it. can extracting archive directory acer (for example) on flash drive, boot , type c:\acer\flash.bat. flash bios.

step 2. if running bios v1.19, can flash kizwan's modded bios. download it , extract flash drive in directory kizwan (for example). boot usb drive using f12 boot menu , type

code:

c:\kizwan\bios.bat

should flash modified bios.

step 3. if went well, should have permanently unlocked advanced menu in bios. please read accessing unlocked menu , changing graphics @ end of post.

if went wrong , computer no longer boots, please try bios recovery procedure


resetting bios settings: if change wrong
if accidentally selected wrong video card , no longer have picture on screen or if changed bios setting , computer no longer boots.

can blindly reset default bios settings. here list of steps:
1. make sure computer off.
2. turn computer on.
3. bios f2.
4. press f9 + enter (this load setup defaults)
5. press esc + enter + enter (this save changes)
6. computer reboots , back!
should work acer 3820/4820/5820

note: if used symcmos.exe, need unlock hidden menu again.

if not help, can reset bios manually


accessing unlocked menu , changing graphics
fun part!

after unlocking hidden menu either method 1 or method 2, turn on computer , press f2 enter bios setup. using arrow keys, navigate intel menu.


navigate mch control sub-menu , change primary display auto igd. (note: switchable option disappear bios. nothing worry about). press f10 save settings , restart computer.

disable ati graphics , make computer run in intel-only mode

list of modes:
auto: automatically determine graphics mode (switchable)
igd: intel-only graphics mode. "switchable graphics" menu disappear front page of bios.
peg: ati-only mode. intel graphics disabled.
pci: do not select this! not see on screen more. if selected mistake, see above "resetting bios settings"
sg: switchable graphics. both cards available , driver determine card active.

so, if want turn ati graphics on, change mch control sub-menu->primary display auto. save via f10 , restart.


here nice confirmation:
windows: ati graphics gone device manager , there no longer switch graphics menu.


linux: ati graphics gone:

code:

$ lspci | grep -i graphics 00:02.0 vga compatible controller: intel corporation core processor integrated graphics controller (rev 12)

cheers!


ps: apologize including windows information in guide. wanted make guide useful regardless of operating system.

thanks elaborate guide.

not running ubuntu, normal windows 7 slave... find insanely annoying every time unplug , plug in computer, graphics cards switches automatically. causes open program not work properly.

should use function run on intel graphics only? when need play or send video via hdmi reboot ati activated. or there easier way?

know not right forum, place people discuss deactivation of these graphics cards.

thanks
henrik

Forum The Ubuntu Forum Community Ubuntu Official Flavours Support Hardware [SOLVED] HOWTO: Acer Aspire 3820TG disable ATI graphics. Intel-only mode

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