WinXP - Disable onboard video?

I've got a desktop that I want to operate entirely remotely. Without a monitor plugged into it, it by default uses the onboard video chip. The main program that I need that computer for requires directx which the onboard video can't do.

I've got a video card in the AGP port. I can't find any way in the bios to disable the onboard video card. When I go to the device manager to make disable the onboard video, it is greyed out, thus I can't disable it.

So I have two options, neither of which I know how to do. Either disable the onboard video chip or trick it into thinking there is a monitor plugged into the video card. Any ideas?

just curious but this wouldnt be by a chance a Dell desktop you are using would it be?

It's not. I just pieced it together from 2 older builds.

Try this, switch the monitor cable back to the onboard card and restart. You may not see anything until Windows loads (the opposite problem as when using the new card). Once you can log onto Windows do so and at the desktop right click the mouse on the wallpaper (background) which will bring up the display settings box. (Ensure you have the proper drivers installed for the new video card and that the video card is showing up in the device manager [ right click on "my computer" then click "manage" then click on "device manager" in the left column. In the right column expand the "display adapters" by clicking on the "+" sign ] if the card shows with no error icons on it then you are good so far. Once you have the display settings open click on the "settings" tab at the top. You should see two squares with numbers "1" and "2" in them. This means that Windows "thinks" you have two monitors which could be the issue.

It is probably still using the onboard card as the "primary" monitor card. Click on the monitor it shows to be using and the card driving the monitor will show in the Display dialog box under the monitor area. The option to change uncheck "Use this device as the primary monitor" is grayed out too which means you cannot change it. Now, click on the other monitor box and see if your installed card appears in the Display dialog box. If so, right click on the monitor square. If "primary" is grayed out click on "Attached" then right click on the monitor box again now you should see "primary" no longer grayed out and it will let you click it. This will set the new card and monitor it is driving to your monitor. Apply your settings and close the Display Properties box. Shut down and plug your monitor cable into the new card and reboot. You should now have video. Now you can go into the Display properties again and if you are NOT using two monitors, click on monitor "2" and uncheck the "Extend my Windows desktop onto this monitor" box.

click on apply.

Hope this helps

Unfortunately no, it doesn't think there are 2 monitors. I've included a couple of screen shots.

edit - nevermind new users can't include pictures

Here are the URLs