HP Zbook 17 hybrid graphics problem

Hi to ya'll I prepped the Zbook for a client. First problem occurred when their graphics software did not want to run properly on Windows 7. I tried to install Windows 8, to see if the problem is OS related, but encountered the following error: Error Code 0xc0000017, "There isn't enough memory available to create a ramdisk device", which was resolved by disabling the Hybrid Graphics option in BIOS. By coincidence, that also resolved the problem with the graphics software. Only problem remaining now is that when the lappy boots, the screen is blank (black) and you have to press Win-P to first project to an external monitor, and then back to the main screen. Any ideas?

 

Are you not able to re-enable hybrid graphics in the bios after windows 8 is installed? If you are using a docking station you might try re-installing the video driver without the machine docked. It can interfere with what the driver's detection routine as it is setting up the default devices.

 

Thanks @win32asmguy for the reply, if I re-enable hybrid then the client's software doesn't work. The problem occurred before the lappy was docked. The best HP support could do is to suggest that the graphics module be replaced, which is apparently possible on this model, don't think that will resolve the issue, it obviously uses the Intel graphics while logging on, that's why the blank screen.

 

Have you tried making an application profile for the client's software in the nvidia control panel? Set it to high performance, so it will always run on the nvidia GPU. That did the trick for me when setting up Adobe applications to work with hybrid graphics.

The issue with the driver could be that if Windows for some reason thinks that an external display is the default display, then upon bootup it will only use that display until you do something to cause it to redetect all displays. Try booting up with something plugged in to the VGA port. If it switches over to the external monitor as soon as you get to the login screen, then you probably just need to re-install the nvidia driver.

 

I have dual-boot with Windows 7 and 8.1 and the problem occurs on both, so doubt that it can be a faulty driver. In any case, thanks for your help and interest, the client reckons that it is a security feature, not a glitch

 

I have a ZBook 17 , with the Optimus . I didn't need to disable Hybrid Graphics to get to Windows 8.0/8.1 . I have a previous post which explains the Legacy/UEFI boot change required, but you're in a dual boot .

Optimus / Dual Graphics is still a bit flaky . I don't have the ability to 'run time' select via the context menu . I have been able to get most of the Applications I want or need to run under the Quadro to do so , but it seems to ignore my customizations via nVidia for some apps ( Adobe Lightroom, Canon Digital Picture Pro) , even though they're not 'blacklisted' in the nVidia application list . Curious if you have context menu capability , or any stubborn apps that revert to the Intel ?.
Optimus has always been stubborn - I'd love to find the secret to having it always run the applications I want on the premium graphics I paid for

 

@snoylekim thanks for the heads-up to the Legacy/UEFI boot, will have a look at that when the next Zbook comes in. The problem app is high-end geological mapping software, don't know if I can force it to run on the Nvidia card.

 

I've been able to get most of what I need to run on the Nvidia ..exception is Lightroom . There are some applications that are forced to integrated via Nvidia profiles , but these seem to mostly be media players and Microsoft IE and Office stuff . Optimus does seem to have a mind of its own . Good luck .

 

I'm glad I found this thread.
After my 8770 Elitebook had a second mobo failure and died, the onsite tech killed the video, so HP sent me a Zbook as a replacement.
It has
I7-4900QM, 17" FHD anti-glare 1920x1080, 32GB Ram, 512GB SSD main HD, 500GB 2nd HD, Intel hd4600 onboard and the Nvidia K5100w.
Running Win 7 64.

To the Zbook 17 problem...
When I first set it up the screen had pixelated garbage on screen in 3 of the 4 corners. The HP tech thought it might be a bad mobo but I thought drivers.
The drivers for both graphics adapters were pre-installed and showed up in device manager.

First I disabled the Intell but the screen went black, if I put the PC into sleep mode and then came back out of sleep mode the screen would come back.
Every time I restart the system I get the black screen as soon as windows loads.

I talked to HP and they said to keep the Nvidia as primary disable the Hybrid graphics in the Bios, I did and ended up with the same black screen. if I enable Hybrid no black screen and the pixel garbage went away.

I had also reformatted and reinstalled the OS and upgraded the BIOS and all software and drivers to the most current available.
Note, Nvidia drivers are v332.65, the newest I could find from HP.

I want to benefit from the $2K graphics in the system but not have a black screen every time I boot..

Any ideas to help fix this issue?

 

Same problem, but no pixelation in the corners, just black screen on boot, which I can get out of by putting it to sleep and then waking with power button. Cumbersome workaround, for sure. I may try re-enabling the Hybrid graphics, since I'm not routinely doing graphics intensive stuff.

Also tried reinstalling the nVidia driver while the machine was not docked or connected to any external monitor, as was suggested, but no change. Irritating.

Have zBook17 with i7 4800MQ, 16GB RAM, 128GB SSD, 1 TB HDD, nVidia Quadro K610M running 333.11 driver, which nVidia's website identified as correct driver by scanning system.

 

@OlorinTharkun, You can also press Win-p to to bring up "Project to a connected screen", press left arrow once and press enter. Then set it back to PC screen only, it works even if you don't have an external monitor connected. Quite ridiculous that one should have a work around though

 

Thanks, WM. I did end up reenabling hybrid graphics, but it seems to still blank out occasionally. Maybe less frequently, not sure yet. But the Win-P, Left, Enter sounds easier than "Sleep" button, wait, power button.

 

More strangeness... shut the laptop down at the end of the work day, took it home, never turned it on. When I put it back in the docking station this morning (Advanced 230W docking station, p/n NZ223AA#ABA), I got black screen on my dual 27" monitors (both are HP ZR2740w), opened the laptop screen, also a black screen. Tried the Win-P, no response at all, tried the Function key combo that's "Sleep". No response on either.

Pressed the power button once, which put laptop to sleep. Waited, pressed power button again, laptop display showed Windows login "Press Ctrl+Alt+Del" to Login". BUT....... no response to CTRL + ALT + DEL from laptop keyboard or Logitech MK700/710 keyboard. Had cursor response from trackpad and wireless mouse (Logitech M705), but no keyboard response at all.

Removed from dock somewhere in all that mess, not sure when. After hard reboot, keyboard function was restored.

At this point, I'm asking myself "Can't they just build a computer that works? Plain and simple just works?"

By the way, is there any docking station for this laptop that has USB 3.0? The docking station I have I ordered with my old HP 8560p laptop and all 6 USB ports seem to be USB 2.0.

 

Yes, HP has a new docking with USB 3.0. It looks almost identical like your current one. Just all 4 USB ports are all 3.0. It was released in 2012.

 

Thanks, Tseng. I see the HP 2012 230W Advanced Docking Station. On Newegg.com I see 3 different items at 3 different prices... link

Model #s are:
A7E38AA#UUF $179.99
A7E38UT#ABA $194.99
A7E38AA#ABA $314.99

That's a pretty wide price variation for what looks like the same thing!

 

UPDATE: Black screen issue solved after updating to NVidia 340.52 drivers for my Quadro K610M card. Set up is hybrid graphics enabled, and I can now dock and undock without black screens and having to sleep & wake up to use my laptop.

Now if only our IT department was smart enough to put something larger than a 128GB SSD as the primary drive I'd be good to go. But of course not, so next step is replace the 128GB Samsung 840 Pro with a 512GB Samsung 850 Pro SSD drive.