Abstract: A method and apparatus for booting up a computing system having enhanced graphics and increased boot up speed begins by obtaining header information from a graphics controller. The header information includes a ROM signature, initialization size of the boot up algorithm, an entry point for the boot up algorithm, and at least one extended mode identifier. The processing then continues by interpreting the header information to determine whether the graphics controller is to boot up in an extended operating mode. When the graphics controller is to boot up in the extended operating mode, the processing continues by allocating memory for storing a boot up algorithm of the graphics controller. Next the processing continues by providing an address pointer to the graphics controller, where the address pointer points to the memory where the boot up algorithm is stored.