I am completely stumped.

My friend bought a new 6600 gt AGP (thanks to my good advice).

He installed it and it worked fine. However, when it came to running nvidia demo's and doom 3, it would slow down to 2-3 fps. The problem is of course quite obivous, his AGP aperature is set too low. A quick google search confirned my  suspicisions with many forums reporting that low AGP aperatures means low performences in Nvidia demo's and some newer games.

I tested his card in one of my systems (about the same spec, but his comp had 1gig less memory). The card performed well.

I eventually found out that his AGP aperature size was 32 mb, far too small. Unfortuately, the mobo seems to have no way of upping the AGP aperature.

Until now, I have never seen a mobo without an AGP aperature option. Does anyone know how to change the AGP aperature size on a Asus P4S533VL? (I've never even heard of such a mobo model and according to asus's website, neither has asus)

Sony Viao right?

It's a special board for them...apparently it has a locked BIOS from what I can tell in my researches, much of the BIOS settings (especially adjustments for overclocking) are not normally available.

I did find a forum where someone claimed to have overclocked a board like this after starting the BIOS in "Safe Mode".

Beats me...but maybe it will lead you somewhere.

http://forums.overclockersclub.com/?showtopic=34103

Hrmmm sometimes when a need to clear my CMOS (due to my overclock/tweak adventures) I forget to set aperature size so it stays at default 64 megs, and  sw no difference, I actually heard it was better if you didint have a lot of system ram? How does that work no clue, but I see no difference in performance right off the bat. But if its Sony Viao ten yes im sure it has a kncoked down BIOS and wont happen in the BIOS. Prolly need to find a Win program to do it?

Doubt there are jumpers, I dont see why it would be hidden either but I guess its on their book of "Average Joe should not mess with book" I know it will prbably work if the board was on ASUSes web ste and they had BIOS you could flash the old shiite bios right out but it looks like SONY has tinkered with the board too.

Sounds to me like you need a new BIOS update, I'd be surprised if theres no later BIOS that'll address the AGP appeture issue.

That said, I've struggled to find anyBIOS files for that board on the Asus website, no doubt there somewhere! 

Well he told you theres a "special mode" so search google, use a p2p program, there must be the info there somewhere. I used to have a VIAO, that thig was the slowest computer I have ever wned and then te screen died...

Or press F8 wich is alot better for your system....

Well F8 is default to enter the boot menue, when the system randomly looses power it does it naturaly to "assist" you in fixing the problem. There is a way to enter safe mode even on the Viaos im sure, how do you plan to ncrease the aperature size from there though ???