M14x GT 555m - Never Recognized, Always Integrated

Hello everyone.

This issue has become increasingly frustrating the last few weeks; Dell wants to charge me upwards of $100 for "software support" not covered under my advanced hardware warranty to help me resolve this. I thought I would try these forums first.

I can't remember when the problem started but NO games recognize or run with the GT 555m; they all run with the Intel Integrated Graphics 3000. I have tried the following with no success:

1. Clean install update to latest Beta Driver 304.48
2. Clean install back to latest driver from Dell site 296.something
3. Ran Nvidia Control Panel and set custom profile for Skryim Launcher and Skyrim.exe (easiest game to test) to run on Nvidia Graphics Processor; still only recognized Intel HD Graphics 3000
4. Ran Nvidia Control Panel and set Global Setting to run High end Nvidia Graphics Processor; games still run Intel HD Graphics 3000 and GPU Usage remains at 0%.

The only time the Nvidia GPU is actually being used is when I connect the laptop to an external monitor or TV via HMDI. This leads me to believe the GPU isn't damaged, but Optimus is completely broken. Whenever the laptop display is in use no application acknowledges the GPU.

Any help you can provide would be tremendously helpful; my next course of action will be to run this laptop over with my car, since THAT is apparently covered under my warranty. Go figure.

 

Have you tried plugging it into a T.V. via HDMI and running a game like that?

Apparently that forces the laptop to use the graphics card to produce HDMI level quality. That might be a temporary fix perhaps?

 

Yes, I think I mentioned it above that I did; this method does force the laptop to use the GPU for all applications, but is impractical at best.

Is there any way to force Nvidia whitelists to work?

 

My bad I was in a hurry for college I must've missed that bit.

Well, I'm not sure, but it's a pretty common issue it seems.

 

Did this happen when you updated drivers?

I'm still using 295.73 and have no issues.

 

I "fixed" the problem by formatting and reinstalling Windows. Seems to have done the trick, no idea what software I had that essentially broke Optimus.

Only problem I have now is the Radio Control options (Fn + F3) are all grayed out including WiFi. I can still turn on WiFi by hitting Fn + F3 but I can't check the WiFi box on or off despite installing all drivers.

Anybody have any suggestions? I'd rather not start a new thread lol.