DIY eGPU experiences

Set JP4 so that 3.3V is supplied from the expresscard slot to power the video card. This is necessary for the DC jack. The floppy molex connector differs in that it will supply 5V which is regulated down to 3.3V.

If you don't have the expresscard connected to your system via the mini HDMI cable, then yes, the fan will barely spin indicating it's not getting 3.3V to drive the video card.

 

Oh cool. Ok it is recognized now and the driver is installed. Now it is giving me code 12 so I guess it's time to remove some ram or maybe vidock setup...

 

Glad to see people trying their hand at modding with the help of my instructions.

I have been hard at work today with Alienware M11xR2 members of this community and it appears that we may have gotten 265.90 working with Optimus. 265.90 includes many internal changes for Optimus and includes a fix for punkbuster protected games. After a bit more testing I am going to mod it up for Optimus Retrofit use with DIY ViDock.

 

HP ELITEBOOK 6930p T9400 ICH9 DISCRETE ATI 3450
DIY Vidock PE4H+EC2+ATI 6850+PSU 500W

Thanks2 Nando, I finally configured the DIY VDock bios. I couldn't use imdisk but clicking on startup.bat automatically loaded it in V: , and I could copy the devcon file in config.
PC's with integrated Intel graphic...
I tried The PE4H on a friend's Lenovo x61 and an INVIDIA 6800 GS
No DiyVdock, at first no Invidia Driver. Not even Optimus, It was not for me..
It immediately switched the graphic to the ext monitor. Performance was very poor at 1x with no Optimus; ~1200 3Dmark06.
With Invidia driver ~2400 p. and no DIYV.
I would have liked to try on a Vaio with switchable graphic button on keyboard ... that is goooood...... but no express card...

(In the meanwhile we tested the 6850 with new DirectX11benchmark on a
desktop i7quad975k machine and performed at 3533 p. , average FPS was 16~18; the 5750 performed at 2260 p.) ( So it works!!)

My HP 6930p + Invidia 6800... success! 3dmark 06 at 3876.
Everest reckon the Invidia immediately, than after driver installation (Install Do not run if the card is not recognized ) Second monitor switch with my desktop on.! So Happy !!!!

Question: HOW TO SWITCH TO 2nd CARD; my system don't show the 6850
( DIY Vidock seems to work fine, both cards are shown )

1) ATI 6850 not recognized by Everest, but yes in System devices. although with no resources assigned. I disabled the 3450 from windows, memory resources were reassigned to the 6850... popup error code 10... ATI catalyst was already installed...

In DIYVidock menu, in VIDEO CARD STATUS, it shows NVIDIA -nflash and ATI ... with the 6800 i could see her status. But from ATI I am not sure.
Sure is in the Menu as Vid-2 port3x2. Other thing I don't know if important is IGP [OFF] DISCRETE [ON]; it was like that with 6800 working
(that was automatically switching); Clicking there it gives me a cmd line
*setpci -s 0:0.54.b=0:2* and it freezes the menu I must reboot.

Should I edit somethingelse? Startup config file? put that line somewhere there???? Thanks for the great help.

 

HI NAUTIS, I was wondering if you could give me some help. Do you think it would be possible to have your mod working with ATI also?

Given an HP elitebook business PC with ATI discrete 3450HD and DIY connecting an external ATi 6850, would it be possible after configuring
the INF file for me to choose which graphic adapter
to use? IN THEORY?
I'm stuck... the Nvidia I tried at least was running...

 

Doubtful. AFAIK ATI does not have a solution like Optimus. Optimus is primarily software with a specific component built into newer Nvidia GPUs. Very little specialized hardware is needed for Optimus switching.

The fact that Optimus is primarily a software technology is both its strength and its weakness. It allows for cutting edge things like DIY ViDock because there is less reliance on specialized hardware, but it is also very locked down to only work in ways Nvidia intends. Optimus has potential way beyond what purpose Nvidia is using it for now and it is unfortunate that it is as locked down as much as it is.

 

I reinstalled the same drivers and did the benchmarks again:

3DMark06: 10,648

RE5, variable, 1280x800 32bit: DX9: 83.4FPS DX10: 76.3FPS

RE5 benchmark is way better. The 3DMark06 score is still kinda low. Why does it show 0 MB of memory on my GTX460?

 

For some reason 3dmark (2006 and vantage) cannot get the video card info thru 258.96 driver, but everything is working on 260.99.

 

DIY ViDock Setup 1.0e6 released with new atiflash and nvflash supporting HD68xx and newer Fermis.

Code:

1.0e6 (2010-12-10)
  setup:   Increased 80x50 Status->startup.bat window from 23 to 24(max) lines.
           Fixed pci_written flag to work correctly with "Using startup.bat".
           Added a '!Edit pci.bat' menuitem for advanced users.

  iport:   Added noreset option to 'iport x4'

  Changed disk image install destination from DIYVDOCK to DIYViDock
  Updated nvflash 5.100.0.1, atiflash 3.84 to support new HD6xxx+Fermis.
  Updated pci.ids to 11-24-2010 snapshot.

Something not right there. Your [email protected] should get 3dmark06=~13k, RE5.dx9 var=~95.

 

I have a question. Why is my gfx card so BAD LOL! Wtih integrated gfx on lowest settings for everything my laptop can pull off a steady 30fps. With my GTS450 PE4L the fps on the same settings jumps from red to green (~10 - ~100) like it just cycles up and down many times a second so my game ends up super laggy anyways. I have the vidcard displaying to an external monitor. what could be the problem?

Oh btw this was CounterStrike Source

 

nando, thank you for the updated toolkit!
I have a question - I'm still trying to get my vaio z13 working with gtx 460 without switching the laptop to the sleep mode. I've used RW-everything to get a memory dump from the working video card, the dump is 4kb only. If I'm getting the dump using the memory address proposed by DIY Vidock Setup, the RW tool always returns random data. So I loaded the normal dump, nvflash was able to detect the video card, but windows still freezes and shows the blank screen. I've tried the pci compaction (several ways, but I don't think it's really useful in my case) - no luck
What I'm doing wrong?

 

I'm have no idea why my benchmark scores are so low. 3GB vs 4GB RAM? Windows 7 Enterprise 32-bit? Is there any info I can post that might help diagnose it?

Regardless, I'm happy now that Optimus works. Without it my 3DMark06 score is only 5156

 

Natuis, for some reason when I restart the laptop, almost all elements from the NVidia Control Panel main menu (like PhysX, etc.) disappear. But PhysX is still working, the video card performance is always same... I have the full main menu when the 260.99 driver just installed (did it several times to make sure this is not a coincidence), but everything except of 4 major items will be gone as soon as I boot the laptop next time. Not sure why? Have I forgotten something in the INF file?

 

I edited the last !edit config on grub4dos to change my disk partition root, i just edited the very last line, i think it's alright cause it actually lets me chainload to windows but i'm really having hard time trying to chainload to w7 when i do the 256mb allocation.

Can anybody offer some advice?

Also my System recognizes the gpu NVdia 460 either booting the computer normally or standby/plugging it. However it does show the dreaded "code 43" which nando thinks it's actually because i can't chainload properly.

UPDATE: I tried 32-bit allocation with external graphics ignored. SUCCESS it chainloaded perfectly and i can now play games with Internal LCD with Optimus drivers 258.96 Now i need to do more repetitions on it to see if it always chainloads and figure out how to use my external monitor.

 

This could be problems I have been stating about stuttering. Seems to be Driver issues. Pretty much for me All source games are unplayable. Run MSI Afterburner, Confirm that it is low GPU usage... COMPLAIN TO NVIDIA. Also try running at higher settings to have higher GPU usage.
Try the Quadro 265.90 drivers from laptopvideo2go website. Made BC2 playable, also made Heroes of Newerth 60 Fps with no more drops with V-sync on.

gtx gpu usage - Google Search

According to some people on this Forum they do not have any of these problems. I believe this has been mentioned before, but some people do not have problems with their GTX 460. Any tips?

 

In the NVidia Control Panel -> Power Management, change from "Adaptive" to "Prefer Maximum Performance" to see if it makes any difference. You are also running an AMD chipset which might have some bearing on your results.

 

I will check out your INF to see if I notice anything out of place.

I have 265.90 64bit Universal Optimus/Optimus Retrofit ready for testing. If anyone wants to try it PM me.

 

I'll download the tests, and should have some benchmarking later today/early tomorrow about my implementation on Acer Aspire 6930.

Do i have to make changes on setup 1.x everytime i power the computer on? cause it doesn't seem to be working when i save it to the startup.bat file. I might find a way later, but now i'm just stress testing this thing out haha.

Thanks to Nando who did a little troubleshoot for me when i started this out yesterday!

 

Reporting another result:

Lenovo X201 i5 M520
4GB ram
Asus GTS450
x1 with Optimus

3dmark06 = 11835

**Strange problem**
After installing the optimus drivers provided here, I can't enable aero when running off the card. Any others with this symptom?

 

Dell Latitude E43xx/E64xx/E65xx owner's request

It's been noted here that 36-bit PCI compaction has not been successful on these systems. My previous IGP relocation success was with Win7/32. So I've just loaded Win7/64 on an 4500MHD equipped 4GB Inspiron 1440, finding the following sequence would enable 36-bit allocation of the 4500MHD. Can an owner of one of these systems please test this sequence and report if this works for them?

1. Boot Win7/64.
2. Uninstall the 4500MHD or Intel HD driver
3. Boot Setup 1.x
4. create pci.bat containing the following line which does a 36-bit relocation of the 4500MHD/HD to the 12GB boundary.

Code:

setpci -s 0:2.0 18.l=c 1c.l=3 

5. Run pci.bat and chainload win7

Code:

call pci.bat
call grub4dos w7

6. Allow Win7/64 to PNP the 4500MHD/HD.
7. Reboot, again running Setup 1.x, doing steps 3-5 above.
8. Confirm 4500MHD/HD is allocated to 36-bit space as shown.

 

It isn't working. Even if setup found and compact IGP to 36bit, after chainloading and booting it 'reset' to previous state (32bit).

 

Please try the pci.bat given above rather than using compact's pci.bat. The one above is very simple. Ensure too you do the whole process.. ie: uninstall the 4500MHD. I needed to go through this process to get the 4500MHD in the Inspiron 1440 allocated to 36-bit space.

Consider too rolling back the 4500MHD or Intel HD driver back to the Win7 default.

 

Will the new Sandy Bridge cpus have pci-e2.0 or 3.0 ? Do our current DIY vidocks work with increased bandwith or do we need new hardware to support it?

 

Tried, still nothing. I've noticed that compact's pci.bat has the same setpci's entry.

 

Any ideas on how to boost gpu usage to maximum. I put it on performance setting and ran it through CSS NFSMW CA and all of them showed only utilization of about 30-40% of the gpu. However, with PerformanceTest6, the graphics hit 90-100% on the intensive 3D tests. I am aware of the fermi problems, but they don't apply to all games do they?

 

it's hard to find a mini hdmi to mini hdmi cable here (malaysia). i want to ask is it possible if i use mini hdmi to hdmi cable and then connect via mini hdmi to hdmi adapter to the PE4L?

+

 

Yes you can do that workaround. In fact I plan to use a Flat Mini-HDMI to HDMI + adapter to test out a x2 link via mPCIe which would need to sit underneath my computer semi-permanently

As a suggestion i would connect the end of the cable with the adapter to the PE4L, since it could possibly clog your ports for usb/esata etc. since the adapter looks a little bit bulky.

 

I think there's another problem. When I plug in my card, a "process" called interrupts goes from nothing to around 40-50% cpu usage. its killing my second core. Any idea how to get rid of this? Is it a bad driver, or is the card just too powerful for my cpu?

 

I had very similar issue with XBOX 360 wireless controller. Actually the cpu usage increase means a conflict (in my understanding) between the video card and any other device in your system. I would recommend to disable or unplug the usb devices, network adapters, etc. Let's see if it helps...

 

Yesterday I've found an issue in the latest 1.4.8.5 RW-Everything. I tried to get a memory dump from the working video card. I did it several times and each time RWE created a dump with totally random content, sometimes even without the Vendor ID at the beginning. But the PCI device dump from worked well (but it's 4KB only). Then I ran 1.4.7, it worked perfectly, no issues at all. The difference between those 2 versions: the new version support 64bit addresses (and it's kinda buggy). So folks beware - I'm not sure how the new ver works under Win x86, but on x64 I would recommend to use the previous version.

 

Hello everyone, first post. I've been following this thread closely for some time while waiting for a PE4H2.4 + EC2C kit to arrive. Testing the 1GB GTX 460 with a T9400 cpu yielded ~5200 3DMarks, which appears to be on par with other non-Optimus Nvidia setups. I'd like to contribute some Optimus data but had a question concerning Nautis' 'universal' drivers. Specifically, are there any other requisites or driver modding that I would need to perform prior to installation? Or are they actually universal?

I have hybrid graphics on board (HD3470/GMA4500), these are the steps I have gathered:

1// Install universal 258.96 drivers with 64-bit Optimus .inf in installation folder
2// DIY ViDock Setup 1.x > Disable dedicated graphics > chain-load W7
3// Boot with GTX 460 'on', but without expresscard plugged in
4// Plug in expresscard after Windows boots
5// Test

Is there anything missing from this?

Also, if anyone has a PM3N for sale I'd be happy to buy it. I believe a neat cabling solution is in order for the T400/T410 that would negate having to remove the keyboard for testing.


Lenovo ThinkPad T400 | Win 7 x64
T9400 @ 2.53 GHz | 4 GB RAM
Radeon 3470 GPU / Intel GMA4500
Nvidia GTX 460 1GB (EVGA SC)

 

HP ELITEBOOK 6930p t9500 ICH9 Discrete ATI 3450
XP/w7/DIY Vidock 1.0e6
PE4H-500W PSU/ ATI HD 6850

HI, thanks Nando for the New Setup Version; Now the status is displayed in Show VideoCard State> atiflash.
It displays the right PCI and SSI ID, the Bios, a Bart..
I Noticed the Startup.bat to Edit file is changed, now it diplays a bunch of setpci cmd lines... and the huge shell in the win folder...
also a nice display switcher app... all ok..
...I can't get the chainload work the right way...

New dilemma...
The chainload boot to XP, not W7 as supposed... same trying to use autostartup.bat. Wrong Os. (Than XP Freezes)
I deleted the 1.0e5 V. from mbr and Win, and installed 1.0e6. anyway.

Booting with no Chainload it gives me:

Loading w7 after reboot from DIYViDock (Hotplugged) Everest See the 6850 but not in the main VIDEO/PCI/AGP panel..... in devices do.
The Sys gives the 6850 Bus n.4/0/0 and Port 3. ;IRQ and Memory seems to be ok.
I-m looking forward to intercept the first Nvidia I Can to Test something else today... any Ideas how to fix the chainload? The 1.0e5 Chainload was working... Help plz..

 

Does anyone have any issues with their ATX switch from HWTools?

It worked for a couple days, then all of a sudden stopped. The PSU doesn't turn on at all if using the switch. I now have to use a paperclip to turn the PSU on to power the PE4H 2.4. This works, but I'd much rather have a working switch!

I contacted BPlus support, and they suggested a higher wattage PSU. I'm using an Antec Basiq 500W, and as I said, it works with the paperclip.

Any thoughts?

 

Got Optimus working on my system and answered my own questions. 3DMark06 score of 11883. The one step I didn't add was to select preferred 'integrated' graphics in the Nvidia control panel. So the setup would be this:

1// Install universal 258.96 drivers with 64-bit Optimus .inf in installation folder
2// DIY ViDock Setup 1.x > Disable dedicated graphics > chain-load W7
3// Boot with GTX 460 'on', but without expresscard plugged in
4// Plug in expresscard after Windows boots
5// Select preferred 'integrated graphics' in Nvidia panel.
6// Test

Thanks Nando, Nautis et al for your hard work. Will try x2 testing soon if a PM3N pops up!

 

NVidia have neutered the Optimus performance tweak to only work when a x1 link is detected. Meaning then your x2 setup would be non-Optimus. Performance of x1.Opt versus x2 here shows them quite similar with x1.Opt bettering x2 in 3dmark06 and 3dmarkvantage.

Use a small precision screwdriver to enlarge the SWEX pins that the paperclip operates on. The pins may be damaged or are not making correct contact.

There has been no change to the grub4dos chainloading \config\menu.* config files b/w version 1.0e5 to 1.0e6.

I would dearly like to see your T9500-2.6 HD6850@x1E benchmark results. The 6930P does use expresscard slot 3 so could do a x1E link.

 

Hi, I tryed harder and I got near a solution, ( I hope to )... and sorry, probably I was messing something yest, today chain works.
compiling config/startup like so:

call iport x2 3
call waitvid...timeout id...
call witvid load -d ...id..
call iport restore
call iport dedicated off
call pci
call grub4dos w7

In Dos the HD6850 is being recognized, A:.....bin missing use gt470.bin dump save successfull... when the call iport dedicated off start
(SETPCI =.0.0...... ) it freeze.... I will try more config... if anyone had this problem and got through it... thnx anyway.

 

You only need:

Code:

call iport x2 3
call waitvid [VID:DID of HD6850] 60
call pci
call grub4dos w7

Doing 'iport dedicated off' will freeze your system. That is because it will disable your HD3470, which is your primary video card. That command was designed for disabling the *secondary* video card in a hybrid graphics system to free up resources or reduce the setup complexity.

 

i have a aspire4520G laptop and PE4H+EC2C. Just brought a gtx465 last week and 550w psu. when i plug in the video card throught expresscard adapter, i can find the GTX465 in device manager and everest. but i couldn't choose it as a main display. i tried to update expresscard driver and VGA driver(forceware260.99) but still not working. it's like the display setting is locked only for the use of originally display card(Geforce 8600M GS)
is anyone there can help me out
thanks a million


PS: sometime i can choose gtx465 adpater on "screen resolution" menu. but thing is all the icons,shortcuts and start menu all disappeared. all the cables and wires has been connected properly.

 

Try Disabling internal video card

 

Anyone know if Sandy Bridge have more bandwidth on the Express slot (Like 2.0 for double bandwitdh)

Also do the current devices we have bought support pcie 2.0 ? (IE we only need to update our laptop)

 

thanks for the reply.
i did try to disable the internal video card but what happened is the 8600M gs is like lose it's driver and display in a low resolution. i still couldn't prioritize GTX465 as a main display device. Wasn't sure if this problem has something to do with system setup or the motherboard is not design for external graphics use. i got the latest Bios into motherboard last nite and did not fix the problem.
couldn't think of anything else is wrong.
Anyone here got a clue? i will be much appreciated

 

The hwtools PE4L/PE4L and interconnects support the pcie 2.0 electromagnetic specification. You can verify by viewing the PE4H-HP4A product used to externalise a desktop pci-e slot. So yes, just need the notebook to support pci-e 2.0 5Gbps link speed.

Rumour has it the new mobile chipsets released with Sandy Bridge may support pci-e 3.0. Will have to wait and see if Intel rurther delay pci-e 2.0/3.0 on their x1 ports.

It is not possible to disable the primary video card using Win7 native drivers. Doing so results in, as you note, VGA mode with the secondary card not available.

I'd suggest mod the desktop or Optimus drivers' INF to contain a 8600M entry, test to confirm it does work, then attach your desktop video card. In that way one driver will be used for both your internal and desktop video card. It can work - there is an confirmed Dell M1330 with a similar 8400M+GTX460 setup on the first page.

 

Hope its true, should give a big boost. And just having the new sandy bridge cpu with its new GPU should also be a big boost, so would be a big upgrade even though my current laptop is only ½ a year old
But it really depends on how cheap I can get an upgrade, if I can upgrade with a loss less than 500$ (Sell my current and buy the new one) I think I will do it

 

deleted...

 

Hello together,

first a big praise for the work you are doing here, I really appreciate that and thank you a lot, I read carefully through all the explanations. Sadly I am still not able to get the DIY ViDock working, perhaps someone can help me…

System: Dell Latitude E4300, P9600 @ 2.53 GHz, 4 GB Ram, Mobile Intel 45 HD Express Chipset
ViDock: PE4H from HW Tools
Graphics: GeForce 8800 GTS
OS: Windows 7, 64bit

Ok, what did I try so far:

1. At the first time, I shut down my notebook, inserted the EC adapter, booted -> bluescreen.
Ok, EC adapter off, booting Win7 normal, in Windows I inserted the EC adapter, Windows recognized the 8800GTS and installed drivers.
8800GTS was available in the device manager, but of course the error 12 “not enough resources” problem occurred.

2. I than used the 258.96 drivers and the modified INF for driver installation, the same way AzzMan described here.
Installation works, NVIDIA drivers are on it and the 800GTS uses the drivers, but still error 12.
I am still not able to boot with inserted EC adapter, always bluescreen. So I am only able to plug in the EC adapter in running Win7 system.

3. Ok, I than got Setup 1.x, mounted it on the USB, booted the graphical menu, internal and external graphics are recognized:



Than I tried “Compaction” and “disable internal graphics” without any success, I will describe them in detail, because perhaps I am making some fundamental mistakes in using Setup 1.x:


3.A) Compaction

- Configure -> PCI config space -> run compaction [ignore: none][method: bridge] -> This leads to a pci_written: yes
- Than: Apply config -> Using startup.bat ( Question: Is this the step where the new startup.bat is generated or is something additional necessary?)
- Than: Reboot.

3.A1) If I reboot without inserted EC adapter, I boot Setup 1x. and select “Automated startup via startup.bat”, Win7 starts, I insert the EC adapter, BUT 8800GTS is not recognized and not in the device manager ( why that?).

3.A2) If I reboot with inserted ED adapater, again select startup via startup.bat, I get a bluescreen “System Service Exception”.



3.B) Disable onboard graphics

- Configure -> PCI config space -> disable port -> p2@x1
- Than: Apply config -> Using startup.bat
- Than: Reboot.

3.B1) If I reboot without inserted EC adapter, I boot Setup 1x. and select “Automated startup via startup.bat”, Win7 starts, I insert the EC adapter, BUT 8800GTS is not recognized and not in the device manager ( why that?).

3.B2) If I reboot with inserted ED adapater, again select startup via startup.bat, I get a bluescreen “Bad Pool Caller”.


So far to Setup 1.x… perhaps I am doing something wrong here, because I do not Chainload or whatever (honestly I am not so familiar with this stuff and what it does mean, so I would appreciate any step by step explanation).

I know about nando4’s described problem with Dell Latitude here.

But I am not quite sure what this means, is there a way to get the DIY ViDock running with a Latitude 4300 or perhaps not?
Nano4 there suggested to reduce RAM to 3 GB, does this work? And can I do this with a software or do I have to take out the RAM from my hardware? How to proceed than?

I just want this *** external graphic to work, if I could only use 3 GB, or not the internal graphiy anymore, it does not matter... I am looking forward to every idea, thank you!

 

You could try uninstalling all video drivers and then install a WIN XP driver for 8800 and disable intel 4500 in device manager and then go from there

 

I have a Toshiba A505-S6033 = i7 720QM + nvidia 310M

I need suggestions for the most ideal DIY Vidock Setup that the system wouldn't bottleneck. Also, is it plug and play with my laptop or would it require special booting steps? Thanks!

 

Dell Latitude series are having problems with memory allocation. Explanation can be found here. Problem listed on point 7. Troubleshooting Vidock Setup 1.x for reference.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

I finally found time to post my Setup Results so here we go:

Acer Aspire 6930,
T5800 2.0 Ghz,
4GB ram,
Mobile Intel GMA 4500MHD
MSI N460GTX HAWK 1GB
x1 with Optimus Drivers 258.96
Windows 7 64bit

3dmark06 = 9006 link
RE5 DX9 = 49.5 FPS link

3dmarkvantage = P6693, GPU10083 link
DMCV4 scene 4 = 94.80 FPS link

So it looks like my system compared to similar ones, looses performance because of the cpu. Tried 260.99 and 265.90 Opt. beta drivers without success, i MIGHT try to do my own inf file.
I still haven't performed a x2 non-Opt. link to compare, will do when i have the time. What drivers would i need for it though?

Once again I would like to thank all the persons involved in this wonderful project and a BIG special thanks to Nando, for all the time and dedication that he puts into helping people out, and updating content.

 

Thanks Rizzet, I read about that, but as I wrote:

I am not sure how to solve this with the RAM, and how to proceed afterwards, I think I am perhaps still using Setup 1.x wrong as explained...?

Is it enough to use /bcdedit {} truncatememory 0xc0000000 or do I have to take of the hardware? And than what to do with Setup 1.x?

 

It is not possible to disable the primary video card using Win7 native drivers. Doing so results in, as you note, VGA mode with the secondary card not available.

I'd suggest mod the desktop or Optimus drivers' INF to contain a 8600M entry, test to confirm it does work, then attach your desktop video card. In that way one driver will be used for both your internal and desktop video card. It can work - there is an confirmed Dell M1330 with a similar 8400M+GTX460 setup on the first page.[/QUOTE]

Hello, Nando
Sorry for bothering u again
Still the same problem. i did follow ur steps and downloaded Optimus,INf from page 172. the driver is 258.96 support both gfx card. then i turn GTX465 on before i turn on the laptop like what has been posted by Flaunt in Page 173.
maybe i am just havn't got used to the way Win7 is
first i click detect and find out the Gtx465, then turn on this device. for some reason "resolution" option shown grey after that.
In the" multiple displays" option they have "extend", "show desktop only on 1" , "show only on 2"
if i choose "entend", nothing been displayed on disktop
"show only 1"(8600M gs). i can see windows, icons and start menu
"show only 2" no start menu and windows.
i atttached few photo on "screen resolution menu" and driver inf.
i don't know what i should do now. i am hoping u will be able to help with that.