HP Envy dv7-7300 Windows 8 Graphics card problem

Hello -- I am hoping someone can assist me with this issue. I have been on chat with HP for hours with no success. I recently purchased an HP Envy dv7-7300 with Windows 8. It has an i7 3630, 8GB RAM, and a Geforce 635M graphics card. I only need basic graphics, and understand this isn't top quality, but is sufficient for my needs.

The problem I am having is it seems Windows 8, or any programs I try running will utilize the 635, it will only work off the HD 4000 integrated graphics. I have updated drivers, been in the nvidia control panel, and set my preferred graphics processor to the 635M, but the programs still only use the HD 4000, and I get poor results. In researching online, it seems this could be a problem with Optimus on the card and Windows 8, but I don't know how to resolve it so the programs and Windows will utilize the 635M when necessary. Any suggestions, or references to where I may be able to get this resolved?

 

I'm assuming that rightclick the particular application and clicking "Run on dedicated card" (or something similar) doesn't work?

 

I don't see that option when I right click on the application. I have tried right-clicking in the Start menu, pinning it to taskbar and right-clicking, and right-clicking in Windows Explorer, but don't see that option (or any similar option). Not sure what I am doing wrong, but it just doesn't seem that Optimus is ever switching to the discrete card. Thanks for your help.

 

the Envy d7 is primarily reliant on the intel HD4000 chip for its graphics. That said the right-click method should work if you have the driver installed for the nvidia 635M "auxilliary" chip.
My experience (and an annoying experience it has been I might add) is that windows 8 somehow crashes out the the nvidia driver and goes on to deactivate it such that a simple restart will not suffice to reengage the driver. The only way you can bring the driver back online is to reinstall the nvidia graphics driver that came with the system, you can do this using the HP restore system tool (win8>search [type]"recovery"> HP recovery manager>Drivers and Application reinstall > nvidia HD driver.>(restart).
Unfortunately this isn't a permanent fix .seemingly because once the driver starts to crash out (usually after an attempt to upgrade to the latest nvidia driver) it will continue to crash out periodically and deactivate requiring you to reinstall the driver repeatedly. short of a system renitialization/refresh. I am not aware of another work around.