XPS 9560 Disabling Integrated Graphics

Hello, I'm very interested in trying to find a way to disable the intel integrated graphics on the dell xps 9560 via a modified bios. I was hoping to try and find if there was a hidden bios option like the one for speedshift that was exposed on.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/dell-xps-speed-shift.796891/

0x3F50B Setting: Intel(R) Speed Shift Technology, Variable: 0x4BC {05 91 B6 01 B7 01 D3 01 01 00 BC 04 10 10 00 01 00}
0x3F51C Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 04 00 30 00 00}
0x3F523 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 03 00 00 00 01}

I've tried to dump my BIOS by following the steps at the following site

https://forums.mydigitallife.net/th...-advanced-menu-unlock-bonus-msr-unlock.54523/

My hope was to then be able to manually set the bios option from a UEFI shell.

Unfortunately every time I try to start any of the AFUWINGUIx64 variants for the Aptio5 or Aprio3-4.5.
I get an windows error dialog that reads. "4d - Error: Get block size error."

I also tried using the variant of AFUWINGUI linked from

https://github.com/the-darkvoid/XPS9530-OSX/wiki/Unlocking the BIOS

It gave me a slightly different error "46 - Error: Problem getting flash information."

donovan600's Universal IFR Extractor - http://donovan6000.blogspot.com/2014/02/universal-ifr-extractor.html
https://github.com/donovan6000/Universal-IFR-Extractor

I think that goodwin_c may be able to help in this regard. I didn't want to hijack the speedshift thread so I'm making a new one.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/dell-xps-speed-shift.796891/page-13#post-10453701

Hopefully there will be a hidden bios option available to disable the integrated graphics so the 1060 can directly drive my HDMI.

UPDATE 1:
I was able to dump the bios using https://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/9856-Universal-BIOS-Backup-Toolkit

Here's every section from the 1.3.4 bios that references Optimus or Graphics.
It looks like there may be an option to toggle Internal Graphics, Variable: 0x7C0 with values 0x2 - Auto, 0x0 - Disabled, 0x1 - Enabled

I'de be interested if anyone else can look over the values and see any other values that might need to be changed at the same time so I don't loose video on my laptop entirely in a non recoverable way.

There's a post by a someone who looks to work at Dell on the following thread cautioning against doing this.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/disabling-the-intel-gpu-and-optimus.788462/

"Don't disable the Intel GPU. You will not be able to use the laptop at all if you do. The Intel GPU is used as a pass-through for the video signals."

But it seems rather strange that they would have a variable to disable the internal graphics, if it basically made the system unusuable. Any thoughts on this?

Code:

0x36B51         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x36B53             Variable 0xDFC equals 0x0 {12 06 FC 0D 00 00}
0x36B59             Setting: Intel(R) Speed Shift Technology, Variable: 0x4BC {05 91 B3 01 B4 01 DC 01 01 00 BC 04 10 10 00 01 00}
0x36B6A                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 04 00 30 00 00}
0x36B71                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 03 00 00 00 01}
0x36B78             End of Options {29 02}
0x36B7A         End If {29 02}

0x2CBE1     Form: Video, Form ID: 0x8003 {01 86 03 80 34 17}
0x2CBE7         Subtitle: Video {02 87 34 17 00 00 00}
0x2CBEE         End {29 02}
0x2CBF0         Subtitle:  {02 87 02 00 00 00 00}
0x2CBF7         End {29 02}
0x2CBF9         Ref: LCD Brightness, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F F1 17 F2 17 2B 00 00 00 FF FF 00 01 8B}
0x2CC08         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x2CC0A             Variable 0xAC equals 0x0 {12 06 AC 00 00 00}
0x2CC10             Ref: Optimus", Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 0E 18 0F 18 2C 00 00 00 FF FF 00 03 8B}
0x2CC1F         End If {29 02}
0x2CC21     End Form {29 02}


0x2F528     Form: Switchable Graphics, Form ID: 0x8B06 {01 86 06 8B 11 18}
0x2F52E         Subtitle: Switchable Graphics {02 87 11 18 00 00 00}
0x2F535         End {29 02}
0x2F537         Subtitle:  {02 87 02 00 00 00 00}
0x2F53E         End {29 02}
0x2F540         Grayout If: {19 82}
0x2F542             Variable 0xE1E equals 0x0 {12 06 1E 0E 00 00}
0x2F548             Checkbox: Enable Switchable Graphics, Variable: 0x105D {06 8E 13 18 12 18 CC 00 01 00 5D 10 10 00}
0x2F556                 Default: Other {5B 85 00 00 08}
0x2F55B                     Value {5A 82}
0x2F55D                         64 Bit Unsigned Int: 0x1 {45 0A 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}
0x2F567                     End {29 02}
0x2F569                 End {29 02}
0x2F56B             End {29 02}
0x2F56D             Guid: A5D58BCF-EB5C-44FC-9122-CA4369B9ABE6 {5F 27 CF 8B D5 A5 5C EB FC 44 91 22 CA 43 69 B9 AB E6 1D E0 CE 7A 41 A9 6F 82 4A 99 D7 F9 B1 DD 27 1E 48 5B 06 00 00}
0x2F594             Guid: A5D58BCF-EB5C-44FC-9122-CA4369B9ABE6 {5F 27 CF 8B D5 A5 5C EB FC 44 91 22 CA 43 69 B9 AB E6 13 E0 CE 7A 41 A9 6F 82 4A 99 D7 F9 B1 DD 27 1E 48 8A 04 00 00}
0x2F5BB         End If {29 02}
0x2F5BD         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x2F5BF             True {46 02}
0x2F5C1             Checkbox: , Variable: 0x105E {06 8E 96 03 96 03 CD 00 01 00 5E 10 10 00}
0x2F5CF                 Default: Other {5B 85 00 00 08}
0x2F5D4                     Value {5A 82}
0x2F5D6                         64 Bit Unsigned Int: 0x0 {45 0A 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}
0x2F5E0                     End {29 02}
0x2F5E2                 End {29 02}
0x2F5E4             End {29 02}
0x2F5E6             Guid: A5D58BCF-EB5C-44FC-9122-CA4369B9ABE6 {5F 27 CF 8B D5 A5 5C EB FC 44 91 22 CA 43 69 B9 AB E6 1D E0 CE 7A 41 A9 6F 82 4A 99 D7 F9 B1 DD 27 1E 48 5C 06 00 00}
0x2F60D         End If {29 02}
0x2F60F     End Form {29 02}


0x358D3         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x358D5             Variable 0xE18 equals 0x0 {12 06 18 0E 00 00}
0x358DB             Ref: AMI Graphic Output Protocol Policy, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 33 15 34 15 7B 01 00 00 FF FF 00 07 28}
0x358EA         End If {29 02}

0x3597C         Ref: Switchable Graphics, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 71 16 72 16 82 01 00 00 FF FF 00 2D 28}

0x35E9B         Setting: PEP Graphics, Variable: 0x15 {05 91 06 01 07 01 A0 01 01 00 15 00 10 10 00 01 00}
0x35EAC             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 04 00 00 00 00}
0x35EB3             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
0x35EBA         End of Options {29 02}


0x39FD4             Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x39FD6                 Variable 0x2EB equals 0x0 {12 86 EB 02 00 00}
0x39FDC                     Variable 0xDE6 equals 0x0 {12 06 E6 0D 00 00}
0x39FE2                     Or {16 02}
0x39FE4                     Variable 0x2FC equals 0x0 {12 06 FC 02 00 00}
0x39FEA                     Or {16 02}
0x39FEC                 End {29 02}
0x39FEE                 Setting: CEUC, Variable: 0x2E0 {05 91 8A 11 8B 11 FE 02 01 00 E0 02 10 10 00 01 00}
0x39FFF                     Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 04 00 00 00 00}
0x3A006                     Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
0x3A00D                 End of Options {29 02}
0x3A00F                 Numeric: Graphics Freq (8142508615912128371-8142508615912128371) , Variable: 0x2E1 {07 94 8C 11 8D 11 FF 02 01 00 E1 02 00 11 90 01 20 03 01 00}
0x3A023                     Default: 16 Bit, Value: 0x190 {5B 07 00 00 01 90 01}
0x3A02A                 End {29 02}
0x3A02C             End If {29 02}


0x3CAB4     Form: MEBx Resolution Settings, Form ID: 0x27B2 {01 86 B2 27 31 14}
0x3CABA         Setting: Non-UI Mode Resolution, Variable: 0x6AF {05 91 33 14 34 14 2E 04 01 00 AF 06 00 10 00 02 00}
0x3CACB             Option: Auto, Value: 0x0 {09 07 39 14 30 00 00}
0x3CAD2             Option: 80x25, Value: 0x1 {09 07 3A 14 00 00 01}
0x3CAD9             Option: 100x31, Value: 0x2 {09 07 3B 14 00 00 02}
0x3CAE0         End of Options {29 02}
0x3CAE2         Setting: UI Mode Resolution, Variable: 0x6B0 {05 91 35 14 36 14 2F 04 01 00 B0 06 00 10 00 02 00}
0x3CAF3             Option: Auto, Value: 0x0 {09 07 39 14 30 00 00}
0x3CAFA             Option: 80x25, Value: 0x1 {09 07 3A 14 00 00 01}
0x3CB01             Option: 100x31, Value: 0x2 {09 07 3B 14 00 00 02}
0x3CB08         End of Options {29 02}
0x3CB0A         Setting: Graphics Mode Resolution, Variable: 0x6B1 {05 91 37 14 38 14 30 04 01 00 B1 06 00 10 00 03 00}
0x3CB1B             Option: Auto, Value: 0x0 {09 07 39 14 30 00 00}
0x3CB22             Option: 640x480, Value: 0x1 {09 07 3C 14 00 00 01}
0x3CB29             Option: 800x600, Value: 0x2 {09 07 3D 14 00 00 02}
0x3CB30             Option: 1024x768, Value: 0x3 {09 07 3E 14 00 00 03}
0x3CB37         End of Options {29 02}
0x3CB39     End Form {29 02}


0x3E577     Form: AMI Graphic Output Protocol Policy, Form ID: 0x2807 {01 86 07 28 33 15}
0x3E57D         Subtitle: Unknown Device {02 87 3B 15 00 00 00}
0x3E584         End {29 02}
0x3E586         Subtitle: Unknown Driver {02 87 3F 15 00 00 00}
0x3E58D         End {29 02}
0x3E58F         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E591             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x1 {12 86 D5 0D 01 00}
0x3E597                 Not {17 02}
0x3E599             End {29 02}
0x3E59B             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 08 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 00 00}
0x3E5AC                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E5B3             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E5B5         End If {29 02}
0x3E5B7         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E5B9             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x2 {12 86 D5 0D 02 00}
0x3E5BF                 Not {17 02}
0x3E5C1             End {29 02}
0x3E5C3             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 09 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 01 00}
0x3E5D4                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E5DB                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E5E2             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E5E4         End If {29 02}
0x3E5E6         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E5E8             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x3 {12 86 D5 0D 03 00}
0x3E5EE                 Not {17 02}
0x3E5F0             End {29 02}
0x3E5F2             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0A 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 02 00}
0x3E603                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E60A                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E611                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E618             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E61A         End If {29 02}
0x3E61C         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E61E             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x4 {12 86 D5 0D 04 00}
0x3E624                 Not {17 02}
0x3E626             End {29 02}
0x3E628             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0B 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 03 00}
0x3E639                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E640                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E647                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E64E                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x3 {09 07 46 15 00 00 03}
0x3E655             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E657         End If {29 02}
0x3E659         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E65B             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x5 {12 86 D5 0D 05 00}
0x3E661                 Not {17 02}
0x3E663             End {29 02}
0x3E665             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0C 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 04 00}
0x3E676                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E67D                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E684                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E68B                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x3 {09 07 46 15 00 00 03}
0x3E692                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x4 {09 07 47 15 00 00 04}
0x3E699             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E69B         End If {29 02}
0x3E69D         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E69F             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x6 {12 86 D5 0D 06 00}
0x3E6A5                 Not {17 02}
0x3E6A7             End {29 02}
0x3E6A9             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0D 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 05 00}
0x3E6BA                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E6C1                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E6C8                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E6CF                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x3 {09 07 46 15 00 00 03}
0x3E6D6                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x4 {09 07 47 15 00 00 04}
0x3E6DD                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x5 {09 07 48 15 00 00 05}
0x3E6E4             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E6E6         End If {29 02}
0x3E6E8         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E6EA             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x7 {12 86 D5 0D 07 00}
0x3E6F0                 Not {17 02}
0x3E6F2             End {29 02}
0x3E6F4             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0E 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 06 00}
0x3E705                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E70C                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E713                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E71A                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x3 {09 07 46 15 00 00 03}
0x3E721                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x4 {09 07 47 15 00 00 04}
0x3E728                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x5 {09 07 48 15 00 00 05}
0x3E72F                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x6 {09 07 49 15 00 00 06}
0x3E736             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E738         End If {29 02}
0x3E73A         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E73C             Variable 0xDD5 equals 0x8 {12 86 D5 0D 08 00}
0x3E742                 Not {17 02}
0x3E744             End {29 02}
0x3E746             Setting: Output Select, Variable: 0xFC2 {05 91 35 15 36 15 0F 28 01 00 C2 0F 04 10 00 07 00}
0x3E757                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x0 {09 07 43 15 30 00 00}
0x3E75E                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x1 {09 07 44 15 00 00 01}
0x3E765                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x2 {09 07 45 15 00 00 02}
0x3E76C                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x3 {09 07 46 15 00 00 03}
0x3E773                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x4 {09 07 47 15 00 00 04}
0x3E77A                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x5 {09 07 48 15 00 00 05}
0x3E781                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x6 {09 07 49 15 00 00 06}
0x3E788                 Option: Unknown Device, Value: 0x7 {09 07 4A 15 00 00 07}
0x3E78F             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E791         End If {29 02}
0x3E793         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E795             Variable 0xDD4 equals 0x0 {12 06 D4 0D 00 00}
0x3E79B             Numeric: Brightnesst Setting (8142508615912128371-8142508615912128371) , Variable: 0xFC3 {07 9A 37 15 38 15 10 28 01 00 C3 0F 04 12 00 00 00 00 FF FF FF FF 01 00 00 00}
0x3E7B5                 Default: 32 Bit, Value: 0x0 {5B 09 00 00 02 FF 00 00 00}
0x3E7BE                 Option: Brightnesst Setting, Value: 0x0 {09 0A 37 15 22 02 00 00 00 00}
0x3E7C8             End {29 02}
0x3E7CA         End If {29 02}
0x3E7CC         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3E7CE             Variable 0xDD3 equals 0x0 {12 06 D3 0D 00 00}
0x3E7D4             Setting: BIST Enable, Variable: 0xFC7 {05 91 39 15 3A 15 11 28 01 00 C7 0F 14 10 00 01 00}
0x3E7E5                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 9A 00 30 00 00}
0x3E7EC                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 99 00 00 00 01}
0x3E7F3             End of Options {29 02}
0x3E7F5         End If {29 02}
0x3E7F7     End Form {29 02}


0x3EEAD     Form: Switchable Graphics, Form ID: 0x282D {01 86 2D 28 71 16}
0x3EEB3         Grayout If: {19 82}
0x3EEB5             Variable 0x517 equals 0x4 {12 86 17 05 04 00}
0x3EEBB                 Not {17 02}
0x3EEBD             End {29 02}
0x3EEBF             Setting: SG Mode Select, Variable: 0xFD7 {05 91 73 16 74 16 BA 04 01 00 D7 0F 10 10 02 02 00}
0x3EED0                 Option: Muxless, Value: 0x2 {09 07 75 16 30 00 02}
0x3EED7             End of Options {29 02}
0x3EED9         End If {29 02}
0x3EEDB         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3EEDD             Variable 0x517 equals 0x4 {12 86 17 05 04 00}
0x3EEE3                 Not {17 02}
0x3EEE5                 Variable 0xDD1 equals 0x0 {12 06 D1 0D 00 00}
0x3EEEB                 Or {16 02}
0x3EEED             End {29 02}
0x3EEEF         End If {29 02}
0x3EEF1     End Form {29 02}


0x402BF         Ref: Graphics Configuration, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 3A 05 3A 05 02 05 00 00 FF FF 00 38 27}

0x404B9     Form: Graphics Configuration, Form ID: 0x2738 {01 86 38 27 3A 05}
0x404BF         Subtitle: Graphics Configuration {02 87 3A 05 00 00 00}
0x404C6         End {29 02}
0x404C8         Subtitle:  {02 87 02 00 00 00 00}
0x404CF         End {29 02}
0x404D1         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x404D3             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x4 {12 06 AD 0D 04 00}
0x404D9             Numeric: Graphics Turbo IMON Current (8142508615912128371-8142508615912128371) , Variable: 0x7C1 {07 91 3B 05 3C 05 0F 05 01 00 C1 07 10 10 0E 1F 01}
0x404EA                 Default: 8 Bit, Value: 0x1F {5B 06 00 00 00 1F}
0x404F0             End {29 02}
0x404F2         End If {29 02}
0x404F4         Setting: Skip Scaning of External Gfx Card, Variable: 0x85A {05 91 3D 05 3E 05 10 05 01 00 5A 08 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40505             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x4050C             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x40513         End of Options {29 02}
0x40515         Subtitle:  {02 87 02 00 00 00 00}
0x4051C         End {29 02}
0x4051E         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40520             Variable 0xD67 equals 0x1 {12 86 67 0D 01 00}
0x40526                 Not {17 02}
0x40528                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x1 {12 06 AD 0D 01 00}
0x4052E                 Not {17 02}
0x40530                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x5 {12 06 AD 0D 05 00}
0x40536                 Not {17 02}
0x40538                 And {15 02}
0x4053A                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x2 {12 06 AD 0D 02 00}
0x40540                 Not {17 02}
0x40542                 And {15 02}
0x40544                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x3 {12 06 AD 0D 03 00}
0x4054A                 Not {17 02}
0x4054C                 And {15 02}
0x4054E                 Or {16 02}
0x40550             End {29 02}
0x40552             Setting: Primary Display, Variable: 0x7BA {05 91 34 05 35 05 11 05 01 00 BA 07 10 10 00 04 00}
0x40563                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x3 {09 07 8E 00 00 00 03}
0x4056A                 Option: IGFX, Value: 0x0 {09 07 36 05 00 00 00}
0x40571                 Option: PEG, Value: 0x1 {09 07 37 05 00 00 01}
0x40578                 Option: PCI, Value: 0x2 {09 07 38 05 00 00 02}
0x4057F                 Option: SG, Value: 0x4 {09 07 39 05 30 00 04}
0x40586             End of Options {29 02}
0x40588             Setting: Select PCIE Card, Variable: 0x7BB {05 91 3F 05 40 05 12 05 01 00 BB 07 10 10 00 02 00}
0x40599                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8E 00 30 00 02}
0x405A0                 Option: Elk Creek 4, Value: 0x0 {09 07 41 05 00 00 00}
0x405A7                 Option: PEG Eval, Value: 0x1 {09 07 42 05 00 00 01}
0x405AE             End of Options {29 02}
0x405B0         End If {29 02}
0x405B2         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x405B4             Variable 0xD67 equals 0x2 {12 86 67 0D 02 00}
0x405BA                 Not {17 02}
0x405BC                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x1 {12 06 AD 0D 01 00}
0x405C2                 Not {17 02}
0x405C4                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x5 {12 06 AD 0D 05 00}
0x405CA                 Not {17 02}
0x405CC                 And {15 02}
0x405CE                 Or {16 02}
0x405D0             End {29 02}
0x405D2             Setting: Primary Display, Variable: 0x7BA {05 91 34 05 35 05 13 05 01 00 BA 07 10 10 00 04 00}
0x405E3                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x3 {09 07 8E 00 00 00 03}
0x405EA                 Option: IGFX, Value: 0x0 {09 07 36 05 00 00 00}
0x405F1                 Option: PEG, Value: 0x1 {09 07 37 05 00 00 01}
0x405F8                 Option: PCI, Value: 0x2 {09 07 38 05 00 00 02}
0x405FF                 Option: SG, Value: 0x4 {09 07 39 05 30 00 04}
0x40606             End of Options {29 02}
0x40608             Setting: Select PCIE Card, Variable: 0x7BB {05 91 3F 05 40 05 14 05 01 00 BB 07 10 10 00 02 00}
0x40619                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8E 00 30 00 02}
0x40620                 Option: Elk Creek 4, Value: 0x0 {09 07 41 05 00 00 00}
0x40627                 Option: PEG Eval, Value: 0x1 {09 07 42 05 00 00 01}
0x4062E             End of Options {29 02}
0x40630         End If {29 02}
0x40632         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40634             Variable 0x513 equals 0x4 {12 86 13 05 04 00}
0x4063A                 Not {17 02}
0x4063C             End {29 02}
0x4063E             Numeric: SG Delay After Power Enable (8142508615912128371-8142508615912128371) , Variable: 0x7BC {07 94 43 05 44 05 15 05 01 00 BC 07 00 11 00 00 E8 03 00 00}
0x40652                 Default: 16 Bit, Value: 0x8 {5B 07 00 00 01 08 00}
0x40659             End {29 02}
0x4065B         End If {29 02}
0x4065D         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x4065F             Variable 0x513 equals 0x4 {12 86 13 05 04 00}
0x40665                 Not {17 02}
0x40667             End {29 02}
0x40669             Numeric: SG Delay After Hold Reset (8142508615912128371-8142508615912128371) , Variable: 0x7BE {07 94 45 05 46 05 16 05 01 00 BE 07 00 11 00 00 E8 03 00 00}
0x4067D                 Default: 16 Bit, Value: 0x64 {5B 07 00 00 01 64 00}
0x40684             End {29 02}
0x40686         End If {29 02}
0x40688         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x4068A             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x4 {12 86 AD 0D 04 00}
0x40690                 Not {17 02}
0x40692             End {29 02}
0x40694             Setting: Primary Display, Variable: 0x7BA {05 91 34 05 35 05 17 05 01 00 BA 07 10 10 00 04 00}
0x406A5                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x3 {09 07 8E 00 00 00 03}
0x406AC                 Option: IGFX, Value: 0x0 {09 07 36 05 00 00 00}
0x406B3                 Option: PEG, Value: 0x1 {09 07 37 05 00 00 01}
0x406BA                 Option: PCI, Value: 0x2 {09 07 38 05 00 00 02}
0x406C1                 Option: SG, Value: 0x4 {09 07 39 05 30 00 04}
0x406C8             End of Options {29 02}
0x406CA         End If {29 02}
0x406CC         Ref: External Gfx Card Primary Display Configuration, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 6A 00 6A 00 18 05 00 00 FF FF 00 03 28}
0x406DB         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x406DD             Variable 0xD66 equals 0x20 {12 06 66 0D 20 00}
0x406E3             Setting: Internal Graphics, Variable: 0x7C0 {05 91 48 05 49 05 19 05 01 00 C0 07 10 10 00 02 00}
0x406F4                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8E 00 30 00 02}
0x406FB                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x40702                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x40709             End of Options {29 02}
0x4070B         End If {29 02}
0x4070D         Setting: GTT Size, Variable: 0x6F7 {05 91 BE 05 BF 05 1A 05 01 00 F7 06 10 10 01 03 00}
0x4071E             Option: 2MB, Value: 0x1 {09 07 C0 05 00 00 01}
0x40725             Option: 4MB, Value: 0x2 {09 07 C1 05 00 00 02}
0x4072C             Option: 8MB, Value: 0x3 {09 07 C2 05 30 00 03}
0x40733         End of Options {29 02}
0x40735         Setting: Aperture Size, Variable: 0x6F8 {05 91 C3 05 C4 05 34 27 01 00 F8 06 14 10 00 0F 00}
0x40746             Option: 128MB, Value: 0x0 {09 07 C5 05 00 00 00}
0x4074D             Option: 256MB, Value: 0x1 {09 07 C6 05 30 00 01}
0x40754             Option: 512MB, Value: 0x3 {09 07 C7 05 00 00 03}
0x4075B             Option: 1024MB, Value: 0x7 {09 07 C8 05 00 00 07}
0x40762             Option: 2048MB, Value: 0xF {09 07 C9 05 00 00 0F}
0x40769         End of Options {29 02}
0x4076B         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x4076D             Variable 0xD66 equals 0x20 {12 06 66 0D 20 00}
0x40773             Setting: DVMT Pre-Allocated, Variable: 0x795 {05 91 0C 05 1F 05 1B 05 01 00 95 07 14 10 00 FE 00}
0x40784                 Option: 0M, Value: 0x0 {09 07 0D 05 00 00 00}
0x4078B                 Option: 32M, Value: 0x1 {09 07 0E 05 00 00 01}
0x40792                 Option: 64M, Value: 0x2 {09 07 0F 05 30 00 02}
0x40799                 Option: 4M, Value: 0xF0 {09 07 10 05 00 00 F0}
0x407A0                 Option: 8M, Value: 0xF1 {09 07 11 05 00 00 F1}
0x407A7                 Option: 12M, Value: 0xF2 {09 07 12 05 00 00 F2}
0x407AE                 Option: 16M, Value: 0xF3 {09 07 13 05 00 00 F3}
0x407B5                 Option: 20M, Value: 0xF4 {09 07 14 05 00 00 F4}
0x407BC                 Option: 24M, Value: 0xF5 {09 07 15 05 00 00 F5}
0x407C3                 Option: 28M, Value: 0xF6 {09 07 16 05 00 00 F6}
0x407CA                 Option: 32M/F7, Value: 0xF7 {09 07 17 05 00 00 F7}
0x407D1                 Option: 36M, Value: 0xF8 {09 07 18 05 00 00 F8}
0x407D8                 Option: 40M, Value: 0xF9 {09 07 19 05 00 00 F9}
0x407DF                 Option: 44M, Value: 0xFA {09 07 1A 05 00 00 FA}
0x407E6                 Option: 48M, Value: 0xFB {09 07 1B 05 00 00 FB}
0x407ED                 Option: 52M, Value: 0xFC {09 07 1C 05 00 00 FC}
0x407F4                 Option: 56M, Value: 0xFD {09 07 1D 05 00 00 FD}
0x407FB                 Option: 60M, Value: 0xFE {09 07 1E 05 00 00 FE}
0x40802             End of Options {29 02}
0x40804         End If {29 02}
0x40806         Setting: DVMT Total Gfx Mem, Variable: 0x796 {05 91 20 05 21 05 1C 05 01 00 96 07 10 10 01 03 00}
0x40817             Option: 256M, Value: 0x2 {09 07 23 05 30 00 02}
0x4081E             Option: 128M, Value: 0x1 {09 07 22 05 00 00 01}
0x40825             Option: MAX, Value: 0x3 {09 07 24 05 00 00 03}
0x4082C         End of Options {29 02}
0x4082E         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40830             True {46 02}
0x40832             Setting: Intel Graphics Pei Display Peim, Variable: 0x6FB {05 91 E4 05 E5 05 1D 05 01 00 FB 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40843                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x4084A                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x40851             End of Options {29 02}
0x40853         End If {29 02}
0x40855         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40857             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x4 {12 06 AD 0D 04 00}
0x4085D             Setting: Gfx Low Power Mode, Variable: 0x6F4 {05 91 0E 06 0F 06 1E 05 01 00 F4 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x4086E                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x40875                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x4087C             End of Options {29 02}
0x4087E         End If {29 02}
0x40880         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40882             True {46 02}
0x40884             Setting: ALS Support, Variable: 0x6F1 {05 91 04 06 05 06 1F 05 01 00 F1 06 10 10 00 02 00}
0x40895                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 02}
0x4089C                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x408A3             End of Options {29 02}
0x408A5         End If {29 02}
0x408A7         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x408A9             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x4 {12 06 AD 0D 04 00}
0x408AF             Setting: VDD Enable, Variable: 0x6F9 {05 91 06 06 07 06 20 05 01 00 F9 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x408C0                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x408C7                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x408CE             End of Options {29 02}
0x408D0             Setting: HDCP Support, Variable: 0x6F2 {05 91 08 06 09 06 21 05 01 00 F2 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x408E1                 Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x408E8                 Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x408EF             End of Options {29 02}
0x408F1         End If {29 02}
0x408F3         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x408F5             Variable 0x521 equals 0x0 {12 06 21 05 00 00}
0x408FB             Setting: Algorithm, Variable: 0x6F3 {05 91 0A 06 0B 06 22 05 01 00 F3 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x4090C                 Option: One-time, Value: 0x1 {09 07 0C 06 30 00 01}
0x40913                 Option: Periodic, Value: 0x0 {09 07 0D 06 00 00 00}
0x4091A             End of Options {29 02}
0x4091C         End If {29 02}
0x4091E         Setting: PM Support, Variable: 0x6FA {05 91 E6 05 E7 05 23 05 01 00 FA 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x4092F             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x40936             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x4093D         End of Options {29 02}
0x4093F         Setting: PAVP Enable, Variable: 0x6FC {05 91 E8 05 E9 05 24 05 01 00 FC 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40950             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x40957             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x4095E         End of Options {29 02}
0x40960         Setting: Cdynmax Clamping Enable, Variable: 0x6FE {05 91 EA 05 EB 05 25 05 01 00 FE 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40971             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 30 00 01}
0x40978             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x4097F         End of Options {29 02}
0x40981         Setting: Cd Clock Frequency, Variable: 0x30 {05 91 EC 05 ED 05 26 05 01 00 30 00 10 10 00 03 00}
0x40992             Option: 337.5 Mhz, Value: 0x0 {09 07 EE 05 00 00 00}
0x40999             Option: 450 Mhz, Value: 0x1 {09 07 EF 05 00 00 01}
0x409A0             Option: 540 Mhz, Value: 0x2 {09 07 F0 05 00 00 02}
0x409A7             Option: 675 Mhz, Value: 0x3 {09 07 F1 05 30 00 03}
0x409AE         End of Options {29 02}
0x409B0         Setting: IUER Button Enable, Variable: 0x860 {05 91 53 07 54 07 27 05 01 00 60 08 10 10 00 01 00}
0x409C1             Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x409C8             Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x409CF         End of Options {29 02}
0x409D1         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x409D3             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x4 {12 86 AD 0D 04 00}
0x409D9                 Variable 0x4AF equals 0x2 {12 06 AF 04 02 00}
0x409DF                 Not {17 02}
0x409E1                 Or {16 02}
0x409E3                 Variable 0x2814 equals 0x0 {12 06 14 28 00 00}
0x409E9                 Or {16 02}
0x409EB             End {29 02}
0x409ED             Ref: LCD Control, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 47 05 47 05 28 05 00 00 FF FF 00 43 27}
0x409FC         End If {29 02}
0x409FE         Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x40A00             Variable 0xDAD equals 0x1 {12 86 AD 0D 01 00}
0x40A06                 Not {17 02}
0x40A08             End {29 02}
0x40A0A             Ref: Intel(R) Ultrabook Event Support, Variable: 0xFFFF {0F 0F 40 07 40 07 29 05 00 00 FF FF 00 44 27}
0x40A19         End If {29 02}
0x40A1B     End Form {29 02}

UPDATE 2:
I can confirm that disabling the "Internal Graphics" results in a non usable system (internal laptop display black, and external display also not working). The system itself seemed to be ok as I was able to recover it without any screen.

Code:

setup_var 0x7C0
setup_var 0x7C0 0x0
setup_var 0x7C0

Luckily I practiced doing bios recovery with full reset without a screen before hand so I can provide the instructions here. It requires you to copy the latest bios image file to a FAT32 formatted USB key after renaming it to " BIOS_IMG.rcv". (for some reason recovery from HDD didn't work for me but USB did). Then you need to click the following keys to fully reset your bios settings. tab,down,space,tab,left,enter,enter

Code:

(*) Recover BIOS
( ) Reset BIOS Settings to Default


           CONTINUE   ( *EXIT* )

tab,down,space,tab,left,enter

CONFIRM

           [*OK*]
           CANCEL

enter

wait 3 mins (updating ec bios)
reboots
starts windows

If anyone wants to try setting any of the other hidden bios values or wants to make a suggestion of setting multiple bios values at the same time, please do and I may try again as I don't think it could yield a more unrecoverable state than the one I already encountered.

 

Why?

 

Yes do not disable integrated graphics. Our display and HDMI are linked with processor and not with NVIDIA dedicated GPU. In GSYNC display, NVIDIA gpu runs display so there intel integrated graphics are disabled.

So if you disable integrated graphics, display and HDMI both goes down with it.

 

Hey Guys,

The reason why is because nvidia doesn't support 3d vision through "Optimus". Basically they claim they can't push the signal through the intel chipset because it can't support 120hz at 720p which isn't true, there may be another technical reason but they haven't been forthcoming about it as far as I can tell. So the only way to get it to work would be to connect the 120hz 3d capable display directly to the nvidia dedicated GPU and cutting the intel chipset out of the loop. Unfortunately nothing I've tried appears to work.

I tried tweaking the value of the "Primary Display" through various values but it didn't have any positive effect (one setting completely disabled the nvidia GPU it would seem).
0x40563 Option: Auto, Value: 0x3 {09 07 8E 00 00 00 03}
0x4056A Option: IGFX, Value: 0x0 {09 07 36 05 00 00 00}
0x40571 Option: PEG, Value: 0x1 {09 07 37 05 00 00 01}
0x40578 Option: PCI, Value: 0x2 {09 07 38 05 00 00 02}
0x4057F Option: SG, Value: 0x4 {09 07 39 05 30 00 04}

0x7BA=>0x4
0x2 (didnt do anything obvious)
0x0 (killed the nvidia card entirely so windows didn't see it (first reboot also failed with no boot device, second boot was ok))
0x1 (nvidia card shows in device manager but doesn't work properly (tried a clean install of drivers didn't seem to get them running, and intel graphics was still visible))
0x3 (nvidia card shows in device manager but doesn't work properly (tried a clean install of drivers didn't seem to get them running, and intel graphics was still visible))
0x4 (put it back to original value, restarted and card showed in device manager but didn't work properly (tried a clean install of drivers, told me it needed to restart, restarted and card worked again))
0x1 (nvidia card shows in device manager but doesn't work properly (code 43) (tried a clean install of drivers didn't seem to get them running, and intel graphics was still visible))
0x4 (put it back to original value, restarted and nvidia card was working the same as regular (no driver re-install required this time))

I put the details below about the various graphics related default values.

At this point I'm basically done unless anyone has any additional ideas.

Code:

0x40832            Setting: Intel Graphics Pei Display Peim, Variable: 0x6FB {05 91 E4 05 E5 05 1D 05 01 00 FB 06 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40843                Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x4084A                Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x40851            End of Options {29 02}

0x6FB=>0x00

0x406E3            Setting: Internal Graphics, Variable: 0x7C0 {05 91 48 05 49 05 19 05 01 00 C0 07 10 10 00 02 00}
0x406F4                Option: Auto, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8E 00 30 00 02}
0x406FB                Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 00 00 00}
0x40702                Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x40709            End of Options {29 02}

0x7C0=>0x02
0x0 (caused both internal and external screens to be no signal)

0x404F4        Setting: Skip Scaning of External Gfx Card, Variable: 0x85A {05 91 3D 05 3E 05 10 05 01 00 5A 08 10 10 00 01 00}
0x40505            Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 90 00 30 00 00}
0x4050C            Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 8F 00 00 00 01}
0x40513        End of Options {29 02}

0x85A=>0x00

0x35E9B        Setting: PEP Graphics, Variable: 0x15 {05 91 06 01 07 01 A0 01 01 00 15 00 10 10 00 01 00}
0x35EAC            Option: Disabled, Value: 0x0 {09 07 04 00 00 00 00}
0x35EB3            Option: Enabled, Value: 0x1 {09 07 03 00 30 00 01}
0x35EBA        End of Options {29 02}

0x15=>0x01

0x2F548            Checkbox: Enable Switchable Graphics, Variable: 0x105D {06 8E 13 18 12 18 CC 00 01 00 5D 10 10 00}
0x2F556                Default: Other {5B 85 00 00 08}
0x2F55B                    Value {5A 82}
0x2F55D                        64 Bit Unsigned Int: 0x1 {45 0A 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00}
0x2F567                    End {29 02}
0x2F569                End {29 02}
0x2F56B            End {29 02}

0x105D=>0x00

0x40520             Variable 0xD67 equals 0x1 {12 86 67 0D 01 00}
0x40526                 Not {17 02}
0x40528                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x1 {12 06 AD 0D 01 00}
0x4052E                 Not {17 02}
0x40530                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x5 {12 06 AD 0D 05 00}
0x40536                 Not {17 02}
0x40538                 And {15 02}
0x4053A                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x2 {12 06 AD 0D 02 00}
0x40540                 Not {17 02}
0x40542                 And {15 02}
0x40544                 Variable 0xDAD equals 0x3 {12 06 AD 0D 03 00}
0x4054A                 Not {17 02}
0x4054C                 And {15 02}
0x4054E                 Or {16 02}
0x40550             End {29 02}

0xD67=>0x00
0xDAD=>0x00

0x40552             Setting: Primary Display, Variable: 0x7BA {05 91 34 05 35 05 11 05 01 00 BA 07 10 10 00 04 00}
0x40563                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x3 {09 07 8E 00 00 00 03}
0x4056A                 Option: IGFX, Value: 0x0 {09 07 36 05 00 00 00}
0x40571                 Option: PEG, Value: 0x1 {09 07 37 05 00 00 01}
0x40578                 Option: PCI, Value: 0x2 {09 07 38 05 00 00 02}
0x4057F                 Option: SG, Value: 0x4 {09 07 39 05 30 00 04}
0x40586             End of Options {29 02}

0x7BA=>0x4


0x40588             Setting: Select PCIE Card, Variable: 0x7BB {05 91 3F 05 40 05 12 05 01 00 BB 07 10 10 00 02 00}
0x40599                 Option: Auto, Value: 0x2 {09 07 8E 00 30 00 02}
0x405A0                 Option: Elk Creek 4, Value: 0x0 {09 07 41 05 00 00 00}
0x405A7                 Option: PEG Eval, Value: 0x1 {09 07 42 05 00 00 01}
0x405AE             End of Options {29 02}

0x7BB=>0x2

UPDATE 4:
It looks like this may be tied to the "Switchable Graphics" setting.

On page 22 of the following TB16 docking station document it says.
http://downloads.dell.com/manuals/all-products/esuprt_electronics/esuprt_docking_stations/dell-thunderbolt-dock-tb16_user's guide_en-us.pdf

Code:

NOTE: ** Configuration supported with AMD and Nvidia in discrete-only mode or special-graphics mode. Dell Precision 7510/7710 models will require disabling switchable graphics for discrete-only mode or enabling special-graphics mode when Switchable is enabled.

Code:

0x3EEAD    Form: Switchable Graphics, Form ID: 0x282D {01 86 2D 28 71 16}
0x3EEB3        Grayout If: {19 82}
0x3EEB5            Variable 0x517 equals 0x4 {12 86 17 05 04 00}
0x3EEBB                Not {17 02}
0x3EEBD            End {29 02}
0x3EEBF            Setting: SG Mode Select, Variable: 0xFD7 {05 91 73 16 74 16 BA 04 01 00 D7 0F 10 10 02 02 00}
0x3EED0                Option: Muxless, Value: 0x2 {09 07 75 16 30 00 02}
0x3EED7            End of Options {29 02}
0x3EED9        End If {29 02}
0x3EEDB        Suppress If: {0A 82}
0x3EEDD            Variable 0x517 equals 0x4 {12 86 17 05 04 00}
0x3EEE3                Not {17 02}
0x3EEE5                Variable 0xDD1 equals 0x0 {12 06 D1 0D 00 00}
0x3EEEB                Or {16 02}
0x3EEED            End {29 02}
0x3EEEF        End If {29 02}
0x3EEF1    End Form {29 02}

Seems like the only option is Muxless unfortunately.

I tried setting Enable Switchable Graphics, Variable: 0x105D to 0x1 but on reboot it gets reset to 0x0.
I also tried setting SG Mode Select, Variable: 0xFD7 to various values 0x0 through 0x3 but it had no effect.

Looks like even the precision notebooks have some issues with switchable graphics.
http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19667233

Seems that if you login to windows and sleep your PC then wake it up again it has the potential to re-engage the video directly from the nvidia gpu. Not sure if this only applies to Precision notebooks or if the hidden XPS bios option may also work this way.

I will try disabling the interalnal graphics again and giving the computer more time to boot up screenless and trying to recover it from within windows, by sleeping waking up etc. It's a shame I couldn't re-install the video drivers headless as I suspect that might get things working (at least in windows).

 

Thanks Bhanvadia, I'de read that elsewhere, but I wasn't 100% convinced that there wasn't some way around it. As some IBM Thinkpad notebooks have a bios setting that allows the system to disable the integrated graphics chipset and route the nvidia chipset directly to the displays.

https://superuser.com/questions/282734/how-to-disable-nvidia-optimus-on-a-dell-xps-15

Code:

@Fopedush - Then you're probably out of luck, I know of no other way to do it, and I spent a lot of time researching this for a particular compatibility problem we had with a video peripheral we sell. (Luckily, the Thinkpads that we're selling it with DO have this option in the BIOS.) – Shinrai May 12 '11 at 20:17

This implied to me that it wasn't a hardware limitation. Unless of course the XPS 9560 has implemented this restriction in the hardware.

I just came across some more posts about Optimus that make you think it's hardware related. I really would like to know how those alleged Thinkpads provide a bios option to disable Integrated graphics.

http://3dvision-blog.com/5532-nvidi...and-3d-vision-dont-go-well-together/#comments

However I linked this above, it looks like DELL Precision notebooks offer switchable graphics which does precisely what I want. As such I'm still not convinced this is a hardware limitation.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/laptop/f/3519/t/19667233

UPDATE:
The following thread makes it sound like the older machines had hardware MUXES but the newer ones may not have them. If that's the case it would explain everything.
http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/gsync-optimus-questions.801926/

 

Repeating what has been said, should you manage to disable the intel card then you will have a very expensive doorstop.

 

Unlike some other notebooks, the HDMI port in the XPS 15 is not directly connected to the 1050. I actually like this.