Switchable Graphics no longer working

Ok so I can no longer switch between IGPU and DGPU. It still gives me the yes/no box when I push FN+F7, but it does nothing, I've rebooted as well. It was working fine a few days ago and now squat.

Any clue what I should do?

 

Is the card recognized in BIOS and device manager?

 

Nope, on the 6970 now and it is showing up fine in the device manager, but the IGPU is nowhere to be seen.

I'm in class right now taking notes so I cant check bios ATM, but I will in a bit.

 

I have been trying to get a resolution from dell for over 2 months over the same issue. If you call support, they will swear up and down that the ATI cards do not support graphics switching, and then in the same breath they will offer to fix it if you send it in to the depot.

They eventually admittted to me that some motherboard revisions switch fine and some don't (my problem started after a warranty replacement of my motherboard) and the only way to resolve the problem is to use an nVidia card.

The AWCC supervisor agreed to send me a 580m to fix the issue, yet here I am months later with still no fix. They just let it sit for a few weeks in the service request queue and then they cancel or close the case.

Best of luck dealing with Dell if you decide to pursue it. Just stick to your guns and don't let them make you send it to the depot.

 

You haven't used any modified bios or anything have you?

 

Nope, everything is downloaded from the Dell website - never messed with any of the settings in bios other than to enable USB charging while on battery.

I use this primarily for school, and I just got the monitor replaced about a week ago due to a brown spot.

I'm not sure if I checked it since then, but it seems that maybe that caused the issue.

I was there with the tech tho and he did nothing other than remove old and plug new one in - I also have to get yet another fix, because he didnt secure the cable properly and now the monitor will sometimes go green/yellow/red/blue as if the cable was half plugged in.

 

Ok so I have checked everywhere in the BIOS, there is nothing involving the graphcis cards that I can see.

So to update - Only 6970 showing up in dev manager

I just recently updated to the A08 bios from the dell website - and had my monitor replaced, one of the two of those removed my ability to switch GPU's.

Anyone have any suggestions before I submit a ticket to Dell?

 

try reflashing the bios and reinstalling the chipset drivers.

can u get to the switchable graphics center in ccc.

 

I cant seem to find switchable graphics anywhere in CCC

 

Which display drivers are you using, and when were they installed?

 

try right clicking the desktop, configure switchable graphics should be an option.

 

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 10/4/2011, 17:09:25
Machine name: BUTT-WHISPER
Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.110622-1506)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Alienware
System Model: M17xR3
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version 1.0 A08
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2720QM CPU @ 2.20GHz (8 CPUs), ~2.2GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8174MB RAM
Page File: 3035MB used, 13310MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
System DPI Setting: 120 DPI (125 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode

------------
DxDiag Notes
------------
Display Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 1: No problems found.
Sound Tab 2: No problems found.
Sound Tab 3: No problems found.
Input Tab: No problems found.

--------------------
DirectX Debug Levels
--------------------
Direct3D: 0/4 (retail)
DirectDraw: 0/4 (retail)
DirectInput: 0/5 (retail)
DirectMusic: 0/5 (retail)
DirectPlay: 0/9 (retail)
DirectSound: 0/5 (retail)
DirectShow: 0/6 (retail)

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: AMD Radeon HD 6900M Series
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: ATI display adapter (0x6720)
DAC type: Internal DAC(400MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6720&SUBSYS_04901028&REV_00
Display Memory: 1765 MB
Dedicated Memory: 2030 MB
Shared Memory: 3830 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: unknown
Monitor Id: LGD02DA
Native Mode: 1920 x 1080(p) (60.012Hz)
Output Type: Internal
Driver Name: aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx64.dll,aticfx32,aticfx32,aticfx32,atiumd64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atidxx64.dll,atiumdag,atidxx32,atidxx32,atiumdva,atiumd6a.cap,atitmm64.dll
Driver File Version: 8.17.0010.1077 (English)
Driver Version: 8.851.2.0
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 7/28/2011 16:19:14, 795648 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp:
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-2460-11CF-AD77-9A24BEC2C535}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x6720
SubSys ID: 0x04901028
Revision ID: 0x0000
Driver Strong Name: oem102.inf:ATI.Mfg.NTamd64.6.1:ati2mtag_Vancouver_PRAI:8.851.2.0 ci\ven_1002&dev_6720&subsys_04901028
Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C
Deinterlace Caps: {6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YUY2,YUY2) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(UYVY,UYVY) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(YV12,0x32315659) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{3C5323C1-6FB7-44F5-9081-056BF2EE449D}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{552C0DAD-CCBC-420B-83C8-74943CF9F1A6}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,2) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{6E8329FF-B642-418B-BCF0-BCB6591E255F}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,1) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_PixelAdaptive
{335AA36E-7884-43A4-9C91-7F87FAF3E37E}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY DeinterlaceTech_BOBVerticalStretch
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(NV12,0x3231564e) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=VideoProcess_YUV2RGB VideoProcess_StretchX VideoProcess_StretchY
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC1,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC2,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC3,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(IMC4,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S340,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
{5A54A0C9-C7EC-4BD9-8EDE-F3C75DC4393B}: Format(In/Out)=(S342,UNKNOWN) Frames(Prev/Fwd/Back)=(0,0,0) Caps=
D3D9 Overlay: Not Supported
DXVA-HD: Not Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled


Latest catalyst drivers from Dell website - installed maybe a week and a half ago

 

Nope, its not there :/

 

try reinstalling the oem dell ati driver again.

 

Oy, do you know of a link where I can DL it? I will have to go out of town to my parents house to get to the box it came in (has all the cd's/paperwork etc)

*EDIT* I'm gonna try dling the Intel 3000 series driver from dell and see if that does anything first.

 

I ran into this issue after I accidentally left the LCD ribbon unplugged after my LCD mod. IGP disappeared and only the dedicated was detected in BIOS and Device Manager. All I had to do was pull the battery and the CMOS battery for 2 minutes and that solved the problem. You'll get beeps upon boot up after this but just hit the power button to shut down and restart the system. Enter BIOS and check if the IGP is back.

EDIT: Oh yeah the CCC didn't have the option of switching during this time either. Seemed the BIOS was just confused cause of the mistake I made. Good Luck!

EDIT2: You have to hold the power button down when the batteries are out, for like 20 seconds but leave they batteries out for 2 minutes or so. Simply pulling just the main battery and doing the standard power drain does NOT solve this problem, CMOS battery has to be pulled and BIOS cleared.

 

So there is a chance that the guy they had replace my monitor left it unplugged as well?

Also, you're saying that flashing the cmos might fix it without having to take the laptop apart?

*EDIT* I had also mentioned in another thread how my new replacement monitor seems notably darker than my last. Its still brighter than most others laptops in my classes - but it is definitely darker.

Could this be related?


*EDIT2* I should also mention that the replacement parts sent out were the new monitor, the camera to go in the monitor, and a chip that he thought was a fingerprint scanner. I looked up the part number and it was actually the WiHD transmitter - even though that was not included in my laptop on purchase.

He told me that there was no place to plug the WiHD chip in to the motherboard, so he sent it back with the old monitor.
Was he supposed to install that with the monitor?

I already have to call them out again, as I requested a new bar (the one with the volume controls etc) due to scratching from poor joint design between monitor/keyboard. They said they were going to send it the first time and they did not. I've also had issues with the monitor losing color bands since it was replaced last week. This requires me opening and closing the monitor several times to get it back to normal. This is obviously the repair man's fault; he did not secure the cable properly.

 

Yes it is definitely related, I can almost guarantee it. My B+RGLED was noticeably darker when the IGP was missing, you can read about it in my guide below. After it was sorted out, all was well. I don't let techs work on my things for obvious reasons but if you feel up to it you can always double check your connection, it might be loose and caused the BIOS error and missing IGP.

To access the CMOS battery just remove your bottom service panel and pull out the round battery. That's it, no flashing of anything. Pulling this and your main battery for about 2 minutes will completely drain the system of all setting etc from the BIOS. This is how I fixed my issue anyway, hopefully it'll work for you as well.

 

I'm sure I wont have any problem fixing it with a guide; will it void my warranty?

 

Not at all, just don't break anything lol. You can use Dell's service manual to do it, it's detailed. Just take your time and be organized and you'll be fine.

 

Ok thanks, I've got a crapton of homework due over the next few days on top of midterms this week and next so I might not get to it until friday or saturday, but I'll update when I do.

+rep

 

Cool, good luck! If anything you can try to fix the brightness/IGP issue in the meantime. If you loose the IGP again it'll definitely confirm the cable is loose.

 

A clean installation of the Dell August drivers may very well resolve all of your issues. Drivers and Downloads.

Do not download and install the separate Intel Graphics driver. Those are intended for use with Nvidia cards. The drivers for the Intel IGP when used with an ATI/AMD card are included in the Catalyst driver set.

 

Yet another update.

I just noticed today that there is a small (1x1 inch) portion near the middle of the screen that appears as if there is something pushing against it.

It has the odd contrasty look an LCD screen does when you push on it, but it looks like its coming from behind.

I'm going to have to contact them Friday and have them come clean all this up. (angry)