[M17X R4] GPU AMD 7970 (not working) X Intel HD Graphics 4000?

Help guys, I'm going really nuts here. I've recently got an Alienware M17X, actually it arrived yesterday, and I'm having a serious problem here.

When I first bought this, I bought it because I needed a good video card and a portable computer. Here is the problem... My computer was supposed to have an AMD Radeon™ HD 7970 and it actually has, but it seems it is not working (not saying it's broken, that's for sure).

When I tried to run Flight Simulator (the only game I've installed so far) the computer is using Intel HD Graphics 4000 video card, and apparently not only this application is using this video card,but the whole system is.

Well, of course I wanna change the video card, I wanna use the one I actually paid for. I tried the FN + F7 thing but than when the computer restarted it was like it had no driver installed. I don't have idea on what to do. Can anybody help me out here?

 

Did you try re-installing the drivers now that the HD 4000 is off ?

To be sure, go into your control panel , device manager to see which card are on.

If you're on 7970, re-install the driver.

 

Well, where do you think I should download the driver from? AMD or Dell?

 

reinstall the dell Video card driver for your 7970m from the dell driver disk (that came with your laptop)

You can update after, but lets get it going first

 

Ok... I'm doing it.

Done! I installed the driver but I don't know how to change to the 7970. How do this? = /

 

FN+F7 is the magic key.
reboot required

 

Look at SlickDude's signature on a 7970M install, you should follow it, the R3 and R4 is quite similar (I guess)

 

do me a favor, run a 3dmark11 and post your score...this will tell you if you are on the 7970m

 

I got that working. Actually what you have to do is:
(Beginning from the factory settings)

1. Press FN + F7 and reboot;

2. Everything will be messed up so just adjust your secreen resolution in Windows Control Panel, as normal;

3. At any given time a message will pop-up saying that you don't have any AMD driver installed for your video card, so what you have to do is download and install the driver from Dell. Just use your Service Tag to locate your computer and the drivers you should have. Or you can also get the driver from the Resource DVD that came with your M17X R4.

4. After installig the driver the program should ask you for reboot the system. If it doesn't, just do it manually;

5. When you finish rebooting, the default video card should be your AMD HD Radeon 7970. If it is not, just press FN + F7 again, reboot and enjoy it!

Thank you guys! = )

 

Have a problem here.

When i am trying to switch from Intel HD Graphics 4000 to AMD 7970 using Fn+F7 on the reboot the screen goes radiant green and stays like this even when loged into Win. Whatever i do afterwards doesn't help to change my display to the normal colors. The problem resolves when i go back (Fn+F7) to Intel HD card.

Might it be the problem with AMD 7970 card or my drivers are corrupted? currently on the Dell offical driver. Thanks

 

dangarov did you ever sort your green screen issue, was it the card?

 

Hey guys,

I have a problem/question very similar to the original post here. I just got my alienware m17x r4 with amd 7970m. Now trying to run Black ops 2 the game freezes and literally takes 20 minutes to load a map. I figured I have to do the FN+F7 and figure out my driver updates etc... After rebooting.. and using the resource dvd that came with my laptop.. It shows 4 drivers under Video drivers:
Nvidia geforcce 675m
IntelR HD graphics 400
NV n13E-GE
Wimbeldon XTA
Now why would I have the nvidia geforce 675m driver if I paid and have the 7970m from AMD??
I dont know what driver I should install or what to do.. I am just average with PCs. I need help as soon as possible please. IDK why I would have a nvidia driver and not AMD?

 

The resource DVD has all the drivers needed for the M17x R4 but that doesn't mean you have to install them all. You just need to install the drivers of the parts you ordered, same goes for the network card.

You can download the updated versions here, just make sure you download them for the OS you ordered (Win 7/8)