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    M11x R1 switchable graphics problem

    Discussion in 'Alienware M11x' started by exProphecy, Dec 12, 2011.

  1. exProphecy

    exProphecy Notebook Consultant

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    Hello mates! I was wondering if anyone else was having problems with switching from Intel to nVidia and from nVidia to Intel? I'm using the official Dell driver 263.08. I used to be able to switch back and forth but all of a sudden when I restart my laptop, the nVidia symbol (symbol for switching graphics) is gone. I went into my Device Manager and it detects the 335 card.. but it has a warning sign on it. I went ahead and disabled then reenabled it and it works again. Although, I'm not able to switch from Intel and nVidia. I've attempted to reboot over and over but it still shows a warning sign on the nVidia card. All I can do now is either change the BIOS option for the card to discrete or reenable the nVidia card in Device Manager every boot up. But my ability to switch is no longer working. I've tried to reinstall the drivers as well but it still does it after the next boot up. Has anyone had any problems like this before? >_<

    Also, when I boot up in discrete mode and I plug in my HDMI port to my TV, the sound come from the TV. It comes from my laptop. I've gone into the settings to look for the usual option for it to come from the TV but they aren't there. If I use switchable mode and reenable the nVidia card in Device Manager, it works but still the problem with the switching is there... =[
     
  2. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Try rolling back to this driver. The newest ones from dell can be buggy for some people. I cant use them on either of my m11x's due to this same problem.
    Drivers and Downloads | Dell [United States]

    I too came accross this problem when I was trying to watch a movie with the wife on the TV. for whatever reason when you set the computer to discrete, it only outputs sound to the headphone jacks and the internal speakers. I spent a few hours trying to figure out why, ended up going back to the switchable drivers because of this. I know when you have switchable enabled, there is a setting to change the sound output, but when in discrete, you dont get that option anymore :(
     
  3. bittercold

    bittercold Notebook Enthusiast

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    Definately try rollingback or reinstalling the drivers.
     
  4. TnTonly

    TnTonly Newbie

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    Hi, I've just come across this topic. I've encountered the same problem since I installed the new driver from Dell. When I'm starting my m11x with the NVIDIA graphics everything's fine, I can even switch between Intel and NVIDIA when using. But if I start the laptop with Intel graphics when I shut down, I can't switch between NVIDIA and Intel. However, if I start NVIDIA Control Panel (while still in Intel graphics), the ability to switch between NVIDIA and Intel appears. I think it's just some start-up problem. Can anyone have a look at your start-up settings to see any NVIDIA related entry and tell me about that? Thanks in advance
     
  5. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    To keep the switchable grafix you need to use the dell drivers. The ones from nvidia will not allow switching to work correctly.
     
  6. TnTonly

    TnTonly Newbie

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    Yes, I have clearly said that it is Dell driver. And I'm able to switch graphics (by running NVIDIA Control Panel), I just want it to be auto-started (just the tray, I don't want to run the whole control panel everytime)
     
  7. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Ah, right. I know for some people (like me) the newest dell drivers dont actually work. I had to roll back to the one I linked to at the top of the page.
     
  8. mephiska

    mephiska Notebook Geek

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    Try uninstalling all drivers, all nvidia drivers, and if you have an intel GMA driver listed in the add/remove programs uninstall that as well. Then reboot.

    After you reboot windows will look for a driver for the intel. It will probably connect to windows update to do it. Once that installs, re-install the Dell 268.08 drivers.

    If that fails repeat the above but before you reinstall the dell drivers download driversweeper and clean out any intel or nvidia drivers, reboot, let windows install the default intel driver, then install the dell drivers.
     
  9. TnTonly

    TnTonly Newbie

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    Yeah, I have done the same thing. Probably just because of the new Dell driver. I may rollback to the old driver if the start-up problem isn't fixed. Currently I will stick with the new driver because I can't run RAGE with the old driver.

    For now, would anyone mind go to 'msconfig' and see if there is any Nvidia related entry there? There is nothing in my case.
     
  10. ejohnson

    ejohnson Is that lemon zest?

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    Just a FYI
    Per Dell, there will be no future r1 driver updates for the gpu. Nvidia has stopped supporting switchable graphics and is focusing on optimus.