win8pro dell 7970m configure switchable graphics doesnt open at all

Hello

I have a serious problem. After installing dell stock drivers for 7970m on win8pro (Gfx_AMD_A01_9.002_CFJ0W_setup_ZPE.exe) i cant run "configure switchable graphics". Catalyst Control Center is opening normally, i can set all available options but when i choose switchable graphics the panel is gone. After that i cant even run catalyst control center again - it keeps crashing all the time and i have to restart PC. It doesn't work from right click menu on the desktop as well. This option is not even working without opening catalyst control center as first. Newest catalyst beta downloaded directly from amd site doesn't work as well - configure switchable graphics window just doesn't want to come up. I had same problem on win7 with one small difference - it was working fine on dell stock drivers but I couldn't make it work on any newer version of catalyst - tried 12.10, 12,11 and all possible 12.11 beta versions. This is a nightmare. I thought that this is some kind of win7 issue and installed win8 to check. I have to say that im looking for solution since couple weeks now, drivers were installed on fresh windows 7/8 installation, with/without updates, on fully configured/raw system, i was using driver sweeper and ccleaner after every drivers uninstall, with fw/av software on and off, tried install intel and amd drivers separately - no luck. Im running out of ideas and starting to think that this can be some serious hw issue, maybe some kind of problem with vbios or something. Please help!

 

Hi utumkodur,

Did you install the Alienware OSD program after you installed Windows 8? This utility allows you to enable or disable switchable graphics. If you did, and have switchable graphics turned on (FN + F7 I believe), did you install both the 7970 driver AND the appropriate Intel HD driver? Both must be installed, and the Intel driver must be signed by AMD for switchable graphics to work. If you downloaded non-AMD signed Intel drivers, you can get all sorts of problems. Since I first installed Windows 8, Dell has updated the drives on their website, but I am using the beta Enduro drivers based on 12.10, and they work fine (so far at least). This package contains the necessary Intel driver as well as the AMD driver. Good luck!

Rich S.

 

Hi LinkRS, drivers were downloaded directly from dell website so i believe that everything is set correctly by alienware enginers. Whats more, when im installing newer catalyst version on top stock dell intel/amd combo drivers with keeping stock intel drivers it doesnt work as well. As i wrote above all necessary alienware software was installed correctly. Everything else is working fine and enduro is on. I never heard anything about intel drivers signed by amd. Where can i find it? Dell website? Already did and it doesnt work as well

 

I don't know about the ATI cards, but the nvidia card on my m17x running windows 8, you have to install the integrated drivers first before you can install the nvidia drivers.

Get the latest intel drivers direct from the intel website. Install them, then restart, then install ati drivers (latest from dell), then restart then install the latest amd drivers 12.11? as an upgrade.

Don't clean install them, just make sure you have completely removed all GPU drivers before installing intel ones. THere should be a built in intel one as well, but by default it carries no control panel, you have to use the drivers from intel to get the integrated graphics control panel to work.

 

Intel drivers from dell website+dell 7970m drivers= doesnt work, im sick and tired, can anyone from alienware support help or i have to call dell support and ask for swap this piece of crap ??? I didnt pay over 2k euros for dealing with crappy/buggy drivers, i could buy much more cheaper acer or something and enjoy gaming as it supposed to be, this was my first and last mobile radeon garbage

 

I have no problems, but my intel hd was already turned off before installing windows 8

 

Hi utumkodur,

Uninstall both the Dell Intel HD drivers as well as the Dell AMD drivers. Then try these: http://www2.ati.com/drivers/other/AMD_Catalyst_Enduro_9.01.exe These are the latest Enduro "Performance" driver I have been able to find so far. This package contains both the necessary Intel driver as well as the AMD driver. Uninstall the current drivers, and let Windows 8 pick its default drivers before installing these. I hope that newer drivers get released soon, but these work well for me so far. Good luck!

Rich S.

 

This is actually the best route to take in this scenario. Sorry about the inconveniences.
Also you can try disabling secure boot in the BIOS.

 

contacted dell, waiting for new card due to other issues as well (black thin lines on dark backgrounds when enduro is off), this notebook is a nightmare, never ending problems since bought, other thing i have noticed - support plate is glued to card - cant take it off, never ever saw things like this. I'm starting to think that i got some piece of garbage instead of 2k+ euros, high performance gaming machine.