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    HELP! Laptop won't boot - Can't switch to intergrated graphics.

    Discussion in 'Alienware 17 and M17x' started by GeForce Junky, Sep 27, 2012.

  1. GeForce Junky

    GeForce Junky Newbie

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    Hello, proud new Alienware owner here that is no pc expert.

    I have a new m17x R4 with the 660m and it restarts trying to load windows. I was having problems that 660m was never being used, only the IntelHD, so I pressed Fn F7 to put it into dedicated graphics mode. This made games run much better. I then made the mistake of updating the nvidia software via the nvidia control panel. It downloaded the latest version then crashed mid install. If I go into bios I do not have a 'graphics' setting under the advanced menu, so how do I switch the laptop back to integrated graphics mode. Under the bios there is currently no integrated graphics detected. Bios is version A08.

    Cheers for any help.

    EDIT:
    Ok right, I've managed to reinstall the nvidia drivers via safe mode and restart the laptop normally and reset the laptop into dual graphics mode so the question now is why do I not have the option for hybrid graphics etc under the bios menu?
     
    GeForce Junky, Sep 27, 2012
    #1
  2. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    i believe hybrid graphics are blocked under the bios


    COMMENT EDITED DUE TO WRONG BIOS PROVIDED
     
    martin541, Sep 27, 2012
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  3. Sam_A_1992

    Sam_A_1992 Notebook Evangelist

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    Op have you tried re installing your intel graphics driver? It could be that the latest nvidia drivers you installed doesnt support optimus. Try updating it via alienwares site.
     
    Sam_A_1992, Sep 27, 2012
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  4. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    martin541, Sep 27, 2012
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  5. James D

    James D Notebook Prophet

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    Won't it brick laptop??? He has R4, not R3
     
    James D, Sep 27, 2012
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  6. airacutie

    airacutie Notebook Consultant

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    He has R4 so cannot update to this BIOS ;-)
     
    airacutie, Sep 27, 2012
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  7. GeForce Junky

    GeForce Junky Newbie

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    I downloaded the latest via the Nvidia Control Panel which was 306, should I revert back to the 296 version listed on the Dell site? At the moment everything seams to be using the integrated graphics unless I put the laptop into dedicated graphics only mode.
     
    GeForce Junky, Sep 27, 2012
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  8. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    OH CRAP I DIDN'T REALIZE Disregard THAT POST !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    please disregard my post about flashing the bios that's the wrong bios !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
    martin541, Sep 27, 2012
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  9. GeForce Junky

    GeForce Junky Newbie

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    Yeah I realised that! At the moment I'm using rFactor 2 to gauge performance which seams a bit poor. What good graphics testing programs are the that can give me an idea if everything is working properly?
     
    GeForce Junky, Sep 27, 2012
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  10. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    OK found the issue with 306 drivers hybrid is NOT supported

    "Exceptions:

    Notebooks supporting Hybrid Power technology with Intel chipsets are not supported (NVIDIA Optimus technology is supported)."

    took straight off there website
     
    martin541, Sep 27, 2012
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  11. GeForce Junky

    GeForce Junky Newbie

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    Ah brilliant, reverted back to the old version as you suggested and the FPS on the same race in rFactor jumped from 13 to 39 so much better.
     
    GeForce Junky, Sep 27, 2012
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  12. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    Great don't know why they dropped hybrid support
     
    martin541, Sep 27, 2012
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  13. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Wondering if you are confusing hybrid with optimus? Hybrid was a technology for machines with an NV chip on-board (iGPU) as well as an NV add-on card. I believe early M17x (R2) had this and the removal of hybrid is causing problems for true SLI users on these machines.

    Hybrid SLI technology This is what NV no longer support on the latest drivers...
     
    MickyD1234, Sep 28, 2012
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  14. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    i know what optimus is ( auto gpu switching) does but am a little lacking on the knowledge of hybrid ( untill recently i was a die hard amd user) but the guys issues have been fixed as he noticed fps improvements ever since he re installed old drivers i think hes getting confused himself as the r4 doesnt have 2 dedicated GPUs but an IG gpu and a dedicated this you know
     
    martin541, Sep 28, 2012
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  15. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Yeah, and the iGPU has to be an Nvidia. Since the market for low end mobile chips has almost disappeared with the on-board CPU's taking over, they dropped the support/development...Messes up people with older machines looking for new drivers...
     
    MickyD1234, Sep 28, 2012
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  16. martin541

    martin541 Notebook Consultant

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    ok i get it now the thing is i really should of known am doing alot of Microsoft certifications and a Technicians course atm lol so basically this guy didnt have an issue at all really because he would of never needed hybrid technology in the first place LOL :confused:
     
    martin541, Sep 28, 2012
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  17. MickyD1234

    MickyD1234 Notebook Prophet

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    Without researching it specifically it just sounds like optimus but yes, it never arose in this case.

    Good luck with the certifications. been some years since I went through all that (MCSE NT4 among others :eek:). Easier in management, I just need to study the resumes :rolleyes:
     
    MickyD1234, Sep 28, 2012
    #17