A method for setting the operating state for a graphics processing unit coupled to a self-refreshing display device, the method comprising: performing at least one operation to set a first portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit; determining whether a signal has been asserted indicating that the graphics processing unit should perform a warm-boot operation; and if the signal has been asserted, then performing the warm-boot operation to set a second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit, the warm-boot operation comprising: reading one or more values from a non-volatile memory coupled to the graphics processing unit; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device, or if the signal has not been asserted, then performing a cold-boot operation to set the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit, the cold-boot operation comprising: receiving one or more values generated by a software driver associated with the graphics processing unit via a secondary communication bus; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device. performing at least one operation to set a first portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit; determining whether a signal has been asserted indicating that the graphics processing unit should perform a warm-boot operation; and if the signal has been asserted, then performing the warm-boot operation to set a second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit, the warm-boot operation comprising: reading one or more values from a non-volatile memory coupled to the graphics processing unit; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device, or reading one or more values from a non-volatile memory coupled to the graphics processing unit; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device, or if the signal has not been asserted, then performing a cold-boot operation to set the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit, the cold-boot operation comprising: receiving one or more values generated by a software driver associated with the graphics processing unit via a secondary communication bus; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device. receiving one or more values generated by a software driver associated with the graphics processing unit via a secondary communication bus; loading the one or more values into one or more registers associated with the graphics processing unit; and setting the second portion of the operating state for the graphics processing unit to enable the graphics processing unit to receive graphics data and instructions via a primary communication bus and to generate video signals based on the graphics data and the instructions for display on the display device.