A video controller having a processor for processing executable instructions and associated data and a number of data ports, a method of acquiring extended display identification data (EDID) by a requesting one of the data ports is described. When on-board power supply is activated, an off-board power supply is deactivated and then the now active on-board power supply provides power to a memory device used to store the EDID and the executable instructions and associated data and to an on-board clock circuit capable of providing a high frequency clock signal. The on-board clock circuit, in turn, provides the high frequency clock signal from the on-board clock circuit to the memory device and if a memory read operation had been in progress when the on-board power supply was activated, then the memory read operation is completed.