please help - just bought m11x - graphics card question

I just bought an m11x.
here are my specs:
intel su7300 1.3ghz, 4gb DDR 1066Mhz, 1GB Nvidia Geforcen GT 335M, 320GB SATAII 7200 RPM

my issue is I dont see my graphics card detected anywhere????

on the device manager, it says intel 4 series express chipset
i can't find anywhere on the computer/ where it says I have an Nvidia geforce card.
i installed the latest drivers

How can I tell if I have the right graphics card?

Thanks!

 

Thats the only card it comes with, so it should be on there.. did you check if its activated? You need to hold down the FN key, and switch to the nvidia graphics.

 

You have to switch to the 335 manually. It's like FN+F6 or something. The function key should say binary gfx or something gfx. The intel gma is there for longer battery life and such.

 

read the manual

 

Ya, you may have to reinstall the default graphic drivers.

The M11x has an intergrated Intel and a discrete Nvidia graphics card in it. Through FN+F6 you can switch between them on the fly for powersaving.

Because it is a hybrid system, the original graphic drivers are the only thing allowing you to switch between them with no problem atm.

Edit: I am actually surprised someone bought the M11x without realizing it has this feature. Was it just advertised poorly?

 

1. Press FN +F6 --> Does anything display on your screen when you press these buttons? If not, press FN + F7 --> Does anything display on your screen when you press these buttons? If you answered "No" to both, you will need to reinstall the software that controls your keyboard shortcuts. To download them, follow these directions: Go to dell.com --> For Home --> Support & Drivers --> Drivers and Downloads --> Choose a model --> Laptops --> Alienware Laptop --> M11x --> Confirm --> Download and install both the top two Alienware Applications

2. Close all programs except this web browser. Click your Start Menu --> Right click Computer --> Click Manage --> In the box on your left, click Device Manager --> Expand the display adapters list --> What do you see here? If you only see Intel, press FN + F6 on your keyboard. Your screen will flicker, the Device Manager will refresh, and finally the NVIDIA Geforce GT 335M will appear under your display adapter list.

 

There was a rumor that Fn+F6 to disable the Nvidia graphics did not remove power from the card (and thus the impact to battery life) until the M11x was rebooted? Is this accurate?

 

i have had it happen to me once, it is not an often occurrence at least for me

 

Thanks, I thought it was OK for me, but I didn't want to bet extra charge/discharge cycles on it.