Hello,

I have 2x EVGA GTX260 Core 216 in SLI ( 896-1255-A1 and 896-1255-AR ).

Im having some issues with a specific OS that doesn't support SLI. Whenever I want to boot into it, I need to go through a boring process of removing my 2nd gtx260 and boot into it.

Upon attempts to modify it to support (or at least ignore the 2nd vga and just boot), I thought I got a good hack, but in fact, I had the power cables of my 2nd gtx260 unplugged by accident. When I plugged them back, it stopped booting.

The question is: Can I keep my SLI configuration and just remove the 2x 6 pins power plugs for the 2nd gtx260 (which, from what I understood, "turns off" my 2nd card?) whenever I want to boot into the other OS ? Obviously, I will just unplug it with the pc turned off.

Is there any chance of damage? (I'd like some kind of proof or reply from someone from EVGA... just an "I guess so" isn't enough, considering I wont be able to buy another vga anytime soon where I live.)

Thanks in advance! :)

The question here is "Is it really disabled/turned off since I removed the extra power supply?" - If it gets totally disabled and no damage can occur to let it unpowered, that should be enough for me. Removing one of the VGAs everytime is boring and dangerous.

Anyway:
- ASUS Maximus III Formula
- Intel Core i5-750 Lynnfield
- G.SKILL Trident 8GB (4 x 2GB)
- EVGA 896-P3-1255-AR GeForce GTX 260 Core 216.
- CORSAIR CMPSU-750TX 750W

I need to disable the 2nd VGA card entirely. If SLI was the problem, I could just remove the bridge connecting both cards ;)

The question still remains: With the pc turned off, if I remove both power plugs from the 2nd VGA card, turn on the pc and use it for hours, can any damage happens to any of the VGA cards?

Well, not from what I noticed, stupid enough I got an P5Q-PRO mobo wich only supports crossfire, not sli and I left my cards plugged in, (gtx 280 EVGA and GTX 280 XFX) And I was like "Oh well, all right, I guess it's working now" however, no damage at all have occured to the second card, altho it was plugged in it has been unplugged  while playing on the other card only, when I wanted to save some heat problems in my room, it didnt affect my perfomance (as it just sat there and didnt connect SLI, lol! )

Take my case ofc as an "maybe just luck" as I got no clue. I just tell you about my experience. all that happens is that your card will blurp red instead of green. I think the fan will spin.. but I guess that's just good? if I would be you I would spend some money on another OS, as almost every OS works with SLI. ;) as one said above, wich os?

Actually it's a pretty common OS. But making SLI working in it needs tons of hacks.

I may tell you the system once I have proof it doesnt' damage the VGA (or maybe after I burn it by attempting tomorrow or later :P )

Yeah, Windows 98 totally... lol

Ok, here it goes, the OS is Snow Leopard.

Now, can I have uber secret inside info about my question? If I remove both power plugs from my 2nd GTX260 VGA, is there possiblity of damaging it, or it will be "turned off" and no damage will occur ? (which means, only the 1st VGA will be working?)

I think you will be ok with just unplugging the exrtra power cables.  I believe these cards need that extra juice to be running.  Its not like they are there just to run the fan. but even so, leaving it in without the extra power shouldn't damage anything.
PS I am interested in doing the same thing since my Dad swears by his mac. :P

@dwoodward

Two important points here:

1st) I didn't illegally download and crack anything. I think it's a good behavior to first ask then, maybe later, point your finger at other people.

2nd) I'm politely asking if removing the power cable from my 2nd VGA damages it, not "OMG HELP ME WITH MY NUB SYSTEM PLOX!!!1 one".

Again: All I was interested is to know - about a *supported system*, which is a standard PC, as you can see on my system specification, running Windows 7 (guess what? OH, a supported OS!), if removing the power cable would damage my VGA.

Pay attention if it wasn't clear enough yet: Im interested only to know about my VGA, and only that. I didn't ask how to boot anything, crack anything or travel to mars.

Btw, if you're still not convinced, I'm a indie game developer, and I could totally be willing to disable one of the VGAs for test purposes, and be seeking a better way than removing it from my PC. And by disabling, I mean, hardware disable.

God, I don't know what else I can do to have my real question be answered, instead of having people speculating on why I'm willing to do that. *sigh*

Just in case someone finds this in Google, and it's left without a conclusive response: I've been doing this for quite some time, and it doesn't damage the 2nd SLI VGA.

Important: SLI VGA Models are 896-1255-AR and 896-1255-A1, which are both GTX260 VGA Cards. Just in case it may damage any other older VGA.