W500 switchable graphics problem

I reinstalled windows 7 on my W500, and whenever I switch from intel to ati, windows disables aero:


I also can't switch back to the intel graphics. if i stop the service in the picture above, aero turns back on, but I still can't switch graphics. i tried the newest drivers from lenovo's site and they didn't fix the problem.

 

I can't say I've had this particular problem, but I'd try completely uninstalling and reinstalling the drivers. I've moved a drive from my X200 to my T500 a few times(being the experimentalist geek I am) and here's what has worked for me to get the graphics cards running and happy:

1. Uninstall the ATI Catalyst software.
2. Shut down the computer, restart in safe mode(F8 while Windows boots).
3. Go into Device Manager in the Control Panel, and disable both the FireGL and the Intel GPU in the Display Adapters section. Make sure to check the box that asks you if you want to delete the driver software if it gives you the option.
4. Shut down and boot into regular windows. You'll be running a very low-res desktop; this is normal. Don't restart when Windows prompts you to; it's loading very rudimentary drivers for the graphics cards that you don't want to be stuck with.

5. Instead, install the latest display drivers you've downloaded from Lenovo. Should still be on your machine under C:/Drivers/Win/Video/setup.exe. Let the ATI drivers install, then reboot. your normal display res should come back up and hopefully everything will be working correctly.

I haven't tried this on a W500, but this has worked a few times with my T500 with absolutely no problems with switching GPUs.

 

well at least switchable graphics works now thank you.
when i switch from ati -> intel -> ati, aero breaks along with some of the "fancy" windows effects like drawing all the window contents when you minimize/maximize a window. apparently aero is broken until i end the AMD external events service, or reinstall the drivers.

I'm reinstalling windows to see if it's just a bad install. on a random note, my disc drive is insanely loud and makes a buzzing noise whenever the disc is spinning at full speed. I have the drive set to "normal" speed, and the only way to make it quiet is by either changing the setting to "quiet" or pushing up on the drive. should i ask lenovo for a new drive? or would that not fix the problem.