dv6t-61XX / dv7t-61XX Switchable Graphics Discussion

So, all of a sudden people no longer have the option to manually switch graphics on their new DVxT's. When I ordered my dv6tqe I asked on this forum many times and people said you just right click, configure switchable graphics, and you can choose which card to use. Now it seems that the newly arrived quad editions only have dynamic switching. Whats up with that? How can you get manual switching back?

UPDATE: The issue has been fixed. HP compiled BIOS F.1A on 7/22 and it was released to the public on 8/1. Click here to get it for the dv6t http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-96635-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4063&product=5111980&sw_lang= and here for the dv7t http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/softwareDownloadIndex?softwareitem=ob-96635-1&cc=us&dlc=en&lc=en&os=4063&product=5112006&sw_lang= Once updated, go into BIOS and you will have the option to switch to fixed as opposed to dynamic. You can now switch on the fly and use the dGPU whenever you feel like it. Apparently openGL works fine now as well.

 

Try installing the drivers from the HP website. Hopefully it's software related only, and not hardware. I seriously did not expect HP to get rid of manual switching because it's one of the best things about the laptop. GL

 

Is this true??? Dynamic Switching? I heard that it had been implemented on the new Dell Vostro, but did not hear anything about it on the new DV6t...

Update anyone?

 

Yes it is true, sadly.

 

that is sad indeed. Hopefully HP will release some drivers that will re implement the feature.

 

Anyone had any luck with the 11.5b driver? Does that help? What i'm confused about is: is this only a problem with the new crop of dv6t's with the fhd screens or are the months old one also having this problem due to some driver update?

 

My dv6t was produced on May 2 and I'm running the latest driver (May update) and not having this problem. I did not install the 11.5b driver.

 

A few of us knew it was coming for few months but didn't know when.

It's great they are pushing it out now. Eventually, we don't have to depend on HP for stable graphic drivers for switchable models.

It would really blow if it only applies to the 61xx or higher.


http://www.stylestrends.com/laptops...con-the-optimus-competition-test-in-practice/

 

On the one hand, it's good to see they introduced dynamic switching. I tested out the graphics switching before I returned my first dv7tqe and it seemed pretty awful if you asked me.

However, I am definitely a power user, and I can't imagine why they got rid of the option to switch manually. To those with the new BIOS update, is there a way to disable the Intel GPU in there?

 

Wuuut? I bought my dv6 a week ago and i have manual switch. I want dynamic one! , i wish its software thing and bios/driver update will add dynamic switch.

 

That funny because I want manual switch lol. I guess dynamic is better but it is a pain trying to run benchmarks and such without manual. I also cant update to the latest driver because i cant seem to get ATI to recognize I have the right hardware to do so.

 

Yes, because hybrid cards need driver from laptop manufacturer. That's a fail.

Well, you'll be doing this just one time.

 

fiveoneooo, if you still have the hp oem drivers installed(stock), then you can at least apply the latest "11.5b hotfix" if you haven't already. Go to this link ( AMD Catalyst 11.5b hotfix) choose your OS and download away.

*Don't uninstall your current drivers!
All thats needed is to install the hotfix over the stock ones. When your prompted on how to install, express or custom, choose express*

To verify that it installed correctly, go to your CCC --> information --> software, if it says "Catalyst Version 11.5", your golden.

Apply the hotfix and you should see a little performance boost, couple frames here and there. But hey, in my opinion, just installing an update to gain a couple fps is worth it to me, somethings better then nothing.

Cheers, GL

 

when i run dxdiag, mine shows up as intel HD Graphics... is there a way to change that to AMD HD 6770M? (I'm a newbie so i have no clue about this )

 

Thank a lot man this appears to have done the trick, I am now running 11.5, now the question is to overclock or not to overclock?

 

So did the 11.5b hotfix re-enable manual switching, or at least prioritize the Radeon? Or did it just increase performance a bit and fix the problems noted in the changelog?

 

yes, i would like this answer as well. Also, you said re-enable. We havent ascertained what it was that disabled it in the first place. That is the purpose of this post. C'mon ya'll, lets figure this out!

 

I have read this thread with great interest, because just yesterday I sent back a DV6quad (with the gorgeous HD screen) because neither I, nor HP could get the Radeon graphics to "kick in". I also had an earlier DV6 with the Radeon 6770m card, and it switched just fine--manually. I spent over 4 hours with HP trying to get this fixed. The Catalyst drivers straight from ATI will not work--they won't install. We have to use those provided by HP. I tried getting the older drivers that work with the earlier DV6, but it will not install. Despite setting power settings to max performance and setting the executable for certain apps to the good graphics option, the new DV6 refused to switch away from the Intel. No auto switch and no manual switch. I VERY RELUCTANTLY sent it (and the earlier DV6) back for a refund.

I have practically BEGGED the techs and the case manager that SOMEONE at HP contact the factory in Shanghai to find out if ANY of the DV6's coming off the line now have got the switchable graphics FUNCTIONAL. they refuse (or are unable) to contact the factory. So here I sit with a bunch of new software that will not run on my older PC's or laptops until I get another i7quad computer.

I eagerly await a resolution of this issue, as it is a total showstopper.

A second graphics is this: has anyone ever seen a modern day Windows machine that can't switch to portrait mode?? The two DV6's that I got won't. HP confirmed that is "the way they are". Are they kidding?? Even my netbooks can do portrait mode. Can someone confirm if they also have an HP laptop made in the last 30 days that has no orientation option?

 

Just a thought, you're issue seems pretty extreme. Switching is working on other people's, not completely broken. Your's seems to have been totally defective. Sucks,hope you find a new rig soon.

 

thanks, yes, the only answer HP had for me was to send it in for repair. I wasn't about to send in a one day old laptop, however. I am reluctant to order again, as I ordered the first laptop on April 19th, and now we are at June 3, and I still don't have a useable laptop. the first one was the only one that HP said they had gotten a call about failure of the Intel My Wifi to work. I and they spent MORE than 6 hours working on THAT issue. sigh. I've had a bad run of luck lately--I even got a defective Nikon camera about the same time. thankfully I have a replacement that is A-OK.

I tried to get HP to commit to building another laptop QUICKLY and sending it via the fastest method possible. They declined. In the meantime, my Amex has been charged over $2,500 for the two defective units. they bill the minute an order is made, rather than billing when the custom item is shipped. Very bad policy, IMO. I asked if they did that for non-custom orders and they responded "yes".

 

No I dont not believe that the manual hotfix had enabled any manual graphics, or at least I have not been able to find it.

 

As long as HP continues to provide only so-called "auto switching" they aren't getting my business. The autosensing is clearly not working as well as the older manual method.

 

Would mine (which was ordered on the 22nd) come with manual switching or auto switching?

 

it will be auto. keep your fingers crossed that it at least works. mine didn't switch to Radeon under ANY condition or with any driver that would install on that hardware. HP even flashed the BIOS when they were dialed in to my laptop. many hours down the drain in a fruitless attempt to make it work.

 

Yeah I placed my exchange order on the 22nd as well and it just shipped yesterday. It will definitely have the auto-switching. Dave, I am just as frustrated as you since I do a lot of graphics-intensive things and have no use whatsoever for the onboard GPU. However, I'm pretty sure that the only possible solution to this is another HP driver update that re-enables manual switching. I have no idea why they removed it. From the sound of your time with tech support, neither do they.

 

Can someone tell me how to check that both gpus are working? Idliketo check that at least even if it auto switches based on load.

 

I mean pretty sure mine is working because starcraft 2 on medium-high settings is running fine. I dont think it would on the integrated graphics.

 

The Intel HD 3000 runs fluidly on medium settings for sc2. Try running all on High. Your 6770 should handle very well and pushing average above 50 fps.

 

If one owns FSX, it takes all of about 10 seconds to load FSX and go to the Customize Display screen and see which video card is active. Also, if the Radeon isn't active, you won't see an option for DirectX 10.

 

That make no sense, all intel gma starting from x3100 and on, supports dx10. Doesn't mean that it would run well. Then again I haven't played or install FSX in a long time so my memory of the configuration is fuzzy.

I don't remember if the HD3000 support dx11. Yep, it doesn't support dx11.

----
Complain to AMD and HP to provide a gadget that which app is using which card. Make no sense that they didn't provide it, yet Nvidia had theirs for a long time.

 

So are you saying, using the driver that HP sent, if you open CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power, there still isn't a switchable Graphics option ... or just that the option is missing from the desktop->right_click menu???

 

I have had the same experience with HP. My first laptop was pretty much screwed. So much for HP quality! Just after a day of using it, I was told to send it in for repairs. Unlike you, I was foolish enough to agree and asked for the box. Then it hit me that warranty is supposed to be on problems AFTER using it, not out of the box :|. Obviously, the only option left was an exchange.

After cancelling the repair order, I talked to 2-3 HP reps, trying to get them to get to the bottom of my problem. I thought that if I reordered the same thing, it would be the same price. Luckily, the price had gone down and I got it $50 cheaper, even after the 2-day shipping. Plus, as a bonus, it arrived within 2 weeks.

However, that being said, as a returning customer I was pretty pissed off with their service and customer support this time around. I'm pretty sure I won't be recommending HP to anyone in the near future. Heck, I was in half a mind to return this one too and go for a Dell XPS, which would have cost me $200 more, but currently I'm a bit tight on resources, so this will have to do for now. If you can shell out the dough, I would seriously suggest going for an XPS. I'm not a big Dell fan either, but they are the possible alternative I would turn to after HP.

Back on to the topic, initially I considered that automatic switching would be great. However, after seeing how much interference switching causes with the work, I think doing it manually would be the best. My drivers crash 3/10 times when I switch, so unless I'm away from a power source for long durations, I always keep the discrete card running. Plus, a 9-cell battery helps

 

I just took a look at the XPS 15. Unfortunately, both video cards available for that model are far below the performance of the radeon 6770m. But thanks for the idea. I'm open to investigating other options to getting another lemon from HP.

 

Yes, owners of the newest DV6/7, which comes with the 1080p screen option, are reporting that they can't find a way to switch between graphics mode.

 

that's precisely my issue. I had a 1366 screen unit, ordered April 19--graphics switched just fine. then I ordered the HD screen model, which shipped out may 27th--no way in hell to get it to use the Radeon card. HP spent many hours dialed into my PC to try to figure out what the heck to do. No joy.

 

does this mean that there is no way to make use of the 6770m? it's just a sitting duck in other words? ..This is bad news

 

so CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power->Switchable Graphics option doesn't exists anymore?

 

the 6770m WORKS ... you MAY not be able to force it on the battery ... that has YET to be ABSOLUTELY verified ... but might very well be true ... I don't know

 

well that's a relief.. I have no plans of playing games in battery.. I hope it really does work

 

I'm saying that I, personally had a very recently built DV6 (with HD screen) that would not use the Radeon card. Having said that, I had an earlier DV6 (made a few weeks earlier, without HD screen) that worked FINE on the Radeon. the only differences were: 1) the drivers--December 2010 for the early unit, 2) the screen, 3) 1GB memory on first DV6. Second DV6 had HD screen, newer drivers, 2GB GPU memory. HP had no clue how to make my second unit switch to Radeon graphics.

 

what about when playing games while plugged in? it still won't switch?

 

What is the Power Options [Profile] set to??? (right click on the tray battery/Plug ICON?? Is it set to High Performance???

and you still haven't replied to:
"so CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power->Switchable Graphics option doesn't exists anymore?"

 

of course. I didn't just fall off the turnip truck! LOL! Both I and HP spent hours trying to get it to work. every option and driver was tried. there was nothing anyone could have done. it didn't work from the minute I took it out of the box, until 2 days later after many hours of trying to salvage it so that I wouldn't be without the laptop. Pretty much, I know more (literally) than HP tech support personnel, when it comes to resolving PC issues. I've been using PC's since '85, worked in repair, s/w, training.

In other words, don't be so presumptuous as to think I didn't know how to use the switchable graphics. HP has got a major snafu on it's hands...

 

Yea I dont know about a major snafu lol, I just think you ended up with a lemon sadly, most people on here has their sswitchable graphics working such as me. I do wish I had the option to switch it myself or use dynamic switching but my computer uses the dynamic just fine. When playing starcraft 2 it is obviously on the ATI card, I do wish I could get it to work when running benchmarks just for the sake of seeing the numbers but hey what can you do

 

As long as one is at the mercy of the "auto switching" I am not happy, even if it switches most of the time. One should be able to keep the card enabled as with the earlier drivers.

 

Well now I am really confused?!? First you definitively state that the Radeon doesn't work ... and now you back off and say you are upset that you don't have complete control ... Pretty different declarations! ... but then again, that turnip truck isn't that far off in the distance...

 

get with the program. I never said it doesn't work for ANYONE. I said HP couldn't make the unit I have work. People like you irritate the heck out of me for their lack of reading skills and smart-assed comments. Pay attention to what I wrote before you shoot your mouth off.

[looking around for the "Ignore" button...] ah. found it!

 

That's not what he's saying. He's stated that the switching didn't work on his at all, and that on top of that, he is returning rather than exchanging because he doesn't want the dynamic switching at all. And personally, I agree with him. I ordered a high-end computer because I wanted one of the best CPUs on the market, plus one of the better mobile GPUs out there right now.

And now they introduce this graphics switching that effectively removes that GPU for at least half the things I use a computer for. And for what? To save power? That's great when you're on battery, but 100% useless when on AC. Call me old-fashioned but I'd rather have my electric bill go up by 3 cents than add in the headache of having to specify which apps I want to run on the Radeon, and then having to troubleshoot some of the ones which don't respond.

 

Precisely! You pretty much echo my exact sentiments on this consumer-confounding so-called "auto-switching" graphics. The old drivers worked GREAT (even on a laptop built in early May).

 

Well, I was having some driver issues before I exchanged mine, but they probably would have been fixed eventually. Now who knows how long it will be until the problems with this get smoothed out, if ever.

As an aside, I know you are in the market for another laptop, but I honestly don't know what options are out there now. I talked to a Dell rep today about the XPS 17 and they said that Nvidia's Optimus technology works the same way, and can't be disabled, and Dell has no BIOS option to disable the onboard GPU. I'd wager that ASUS and MSI probably have much deeper BIOS, and possibly a Clevo from one of those smaller resellers if you are willing to roll the dice on them.