Help with no detection of Nvidia GeForce Go 7400

Hi

I am really new trying to solve this kind of issues in computers, so I need some help with a problem that I have with the Nvidia Card.

I have a Vaio VGN-SZ340FP recently I realized that the led that indicate the mode of the graphic card was always in STAMINA mode, even when the switch was in speed mode. So I reboot the laptop but the led remains in STAMINA, I check in the control panel and the nvidia control was there, but when I tried to access an error pops up and the computer rebooted then the Nvidia control panel disappears. I check in the Hardware administrator and I only can see two Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family card.

This computer have Hybrid Graphics System
NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7400 with TurboCache™of 128MB (extern) and Intel 950GMA de 128MB (shared)

I try different drivers but some of them told me that Nvidia can not found compatible drivers for the current hardware.

What can it be? How can I solve this?

Thank you for any answer.

 

Nobody!!!

I have looking for everywhere and I could not found any solution to this Issue !! I sent an email to Software support of Sony and they told me to downgrade to XP!! I did it, but it does not works!!

Thank you

 

XP does not support two graphics drivers running concurrently, so sony rep was talking BS. Please try following:

Download AIDA64 here
Downloads | AIDA64

This is a tool for checking your hardware components. It is able to find out wether your NVidia card is present or not independent of properly installed drivers. If not, I suspect that either the switch or the GPU itself is broken which may lead you into a service case.

Please report back what you find so we can try to help out more.

 

What OS are you running? Reinstall the Nvidia driver.

You can install the latest driver found here 27x Series GeForce Driver release - LaptopVideo2Go Forums
You should download the appropriate driver for your OS and the modded inf.

 

Pyr0

Thank you for your answer...

Look this is the report that AIDA64 gives me.

Motherboard:
CPU Type Mobile DualCore Intel Core 2 Duo T5600, 1833 MHz (11 x 167)
Motherboard Name Sony VGN-SZ340FP
Motherboard Chipset Mobile Intel Calistoga-GM i945GM
System Memory [ TRIAL VERSION ]
DIMM1: Kingston 9905293-014.A00LF 1 GB DDR2-533 DDR2 SDRAM (4-4-4-12 @ 266 MHz) (3-3-3-9 @ 200 MHz)
DIMM3: Kingston 9905293-014.A00LF [ TRIAL VERSION ]
BIOS Type Phoenix (04/12/07)
Communication Port BT Port (COM15)
Communication Port BT Port (COM16)
Communication Port BT Port (COM17)
Communication Port BT Port (COM18)
Communication Port BT Port (COM19)
Communication Port BT Port (COM20)
Communication Port BT Port (COM21)
Communication Port BT Port (COM22)
Communication Port BT Port (COM6)
Communication Port BT Port (COM7)

Display:
Video Adapter Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (256 MB)
Video Adapter Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (256 MB)
3D Accelerator Intel GMA 950
Monitor Monitor PnP genérico (120014)

Multimedia:
Audio Adapter SigmaTel STAC9225 / CXD9872RD/K @ Intel 82801GBM ICH7-M - High Definition Audio Controller [B-0]

Storage:
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801G (ICH7 Family) Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 27DF
IDE Controller Intel(R) 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7-M Family) Serial ATA Storage Controller - 27C4
IDE Controller Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Integrated FlashMedia Controller
Storage Controller ALJ97VJT IDE Controller
Disk Drive MemoryStick0 Device
Disk Drive SD1 Device
Disk Drive TOSHIBA MK1234GSX ATA Device (120 GB, 5400 RPM, SATA)
Optical Drive MATA UJ-842D ATA Device (DVD+R9:2.4x, DVD-R9:2x, DVD+RW:6x/4x, DVD-RW:6x/4x, DVD-RAM:3x, DVD-ROM:8x, CD:24x/10x/24x DVD+RW/DVD-RW/DVD-RAM)
Optical Drive SNOF MJKHURGT SCSI CdRom Device
SMART Hard Disks Status OK

In the display section you will see two Mobile Intel(R) 945 Express Chipset Family (256 MB)....and I do not know why... I read in somewhere that this are integrated chipset or Embedded Chipsets something like that.. also this computer have a switch in front panel where you can change from Nvidia and GMA, but even when I move it, always stay in STAMINA mode.

Currently I am runing Windows 7

This is the specifications of the computer.

LCD
Screen TFT de 13.3”(1280x800) with technolgoy
XBRITE™
Video Card
Hybrid Graphics System
NVIDIA® GeForce® Go 7400 con TurboCache™de
128MB (extern) y Intel 950GMA de 128MB
(share)
The documentation is in spanish: http://www.docs.sony.com/release/specs/VGNSZ340FP_mksp.pdf

Thank you also coolguy...

I already try with differen versions of drivers but no one works.

So what your think?

 

The SZ series introduced the concept of switchable graphics, which modern mainstream computers have now, but the difference is that to switch requires a reboot of the system (Nvidia's new Optimus technology allows switching without a reboot).

I've never run into this error, but to check it out the possibilities as Pyr0 suggests, check the switch for a hardware fault. Does it feel the same s the wireless switch in moving back and forth? If not, you'll have to open the machine up a little - there are guides in the SZ Owner's forum, but the things to do are (forgive me if I sound a bit simplistic!):

1. Switch off, remove battery, hold down power button for 20secs.
2. Remove the screw in the middle of the bottom in the deep hole - this holds the keyboard in place.
3. Above the keyboard, above F1 and Insert keys are 2 little tabs that need to be gently pushed upwards with a small screwdriver. The releases the keyboard but you will need to remove a couple of ribbons. Ease the little catches on the sides of the big ribbon outwards to release the big ribbon, and the other one just requires a gentle pull to release.
4. Unscrew the screws that are hidden beneath the battery - these hold that strip of plastic above the keyboard in place.
5. There are a series of little latches in the strip that need to be teased out - I don't think there are any screws on the top but I'm writing this from memory so might be wrong! If you feel resistance don't pull hard - you can normally figure out where the screw holding the piece is.
6. This should allow you to lift the plastic up and you'll be able to see the two plastic nubs that sit under the two switches - make sure they are in the base of the switches correctly... if so, that means it is either a software or a GPU problem.

Software - driver issues, Nvidia software, the list of possibilities is long! As suggested above, download the drivers from Nvidia (or from the various threads here) and try reinstalling them. If error messages come up, post them and <generic search engine name> them.

GPU problems - if the 7400 has failed, then the machine may only be able to use the integrated Intel graphics. There are stories of the GPU failing as in the infamous Nvidia problem of overheated GPUs cracking their solder balls connection to the motherboard, though officially I don't think these are meant to be part of the problematic set. My SZ runs very hot at times but the GPU is still working. There's no real way to fix this - you'll find suggestions on "reflowing" the solder but that is only a temporary measure and the machine becomes a ticking timebomb waiting for it to happen again. If this is the case, then the Intel graphics are the best you'll be able to get I'm afraid.

So, after the wall of text, I can suggest to check the switches - only open the thing up if the switch feels wrong if you aren't confident of it. Other than that, try the reinstallation of drivers, etc. There are many threads here to deal with dismantling the SZand troubleshooting problems - Good luck!

 

Thank you for your advice Irishhumo I really I appreciate it.

The switch seems to be in good way... at least when I move it, it does not feel loose.

I have try with different Drivers, from Nvidia, from laptopvideo2go.com, and direct from Sony, but no one works. When I install the drivers from Nvidia an error comes up saying that Can't find the correct drivers for my hardware. If I use the option to load the driver from a disk in Administration panel, I get to install Nvidia 7400 but it say that can not load the device because there is a problem with the driver.

My SZ sometimes get very hot... arround 76 °C this was the last measure that I take using software speedfan.

GPU:76 HDO:44 Temp1:74 Temp2:61 Temp3:66 Core0:74 Core1:77 Core:70 ambient: 0

Well,,, thank you again for your help, I will check both options and see happen.

 

Regardless of drivers, you should see it in Device manager.
The Intel, should show as Intel. Nviudia as vga device or something similar.

If you only see the Intel in Device manager, then either the switch is bad or the card is bad, either way, no driver is going to work until you get it to show in device manger, and you won't see it in device manger until that light comes on on.

Unlike newer systems, this was controlled through the bios, hence the need to restart and also why i say you need to get that to trigger first.

 

The SZ is one of the hottest running machines I've ever used - it was one of the first thin'n'light laptops designed and the cooling system was a bit inadequate for when it was under load. Mine was running up into the 90s Celsius under Vista, though I found that Win7 runs substantially cooler, incidentally even more so that Ubuntu, though Linux Mint seems to be about the same.

One of the best bits of advice is to open it up and replace the cheap and nasty thermal paste on the CPU with something decent. To do this, remove the 4 screws holding the strangely shaped panel underneath and then the two holding the heatsink at the end of the heat pipe. The CPU will most probably be under a massive mess of pink gloop that should be carefully removed with q-tips (cotton buds over this side of the Atlantic) and rubbing alcohol used sparingly. Then get something like Arctic Silver and drop a little blob in the middle of the mirror finished part of the chip and spread it into a paperthin layer evenly. Before replacing the pipe bit, I normally give the radiator a good blast of compressed air and also blow some over the fan, holding it in place first. Remember to clean the pink gloop off the top part of the heatsink as well (attached to the pipe).

If you are feeling brave, open the machine up fully to repeat this on the GPU, but that requires almost a fully dismantling... definitely not for the faint of heart!

PS. I'd listen to what leslieann says when it comes to the SZ - she is the veritable font of all knowledge on it! Of course, many others here are also very good at giving advice (before I offend anyone and get flamed! )

 

Yes, you can drop a LOT in terms of heat by redoing that. It's been a while, but I would say 10C.

Seriously, it made a big difference, even on idle, and my machine wasn't as old as yours when I did it. Even while just lazily browsing and even sitting on the bed (BAD IDEA), my fan barely spins. It's nice and silent.

Yes, listen to me, the one who ripped parts off her motherboard. I do destructive testing so you don't have to!

I mostly just do what many do on other systems and I'm not afraid to try something with it is all. I have been doing this a long time, and while the SZ is a special, wonderful, unique machine, it's just another computer. Don't be too afraid to tear into them. These are good machines, but even those can be improved.

 

Ok, Thank both for your advices.

Well as leslie told, the light of the Nvidia card is off and swith seems to be working, so should be the card that probably is broking or carbonized..jejeje.. well, I will take courage and I'll try to open the machine...jejeje.. If I can get enough courage I'll patiently wait until whole computer explote...jejeje

Again Thank you both for take your time to helping me with this.

 

I have a PDF of how to disassemble an SZ series laptop - PM if you want me to send you copy. My advice is to have a sheet of paper and draw maps of where screws come out of: for the SZ I normally have one for the bottom view, top view and inside case view. Whatever you do, don't sneeze on this bit of paper or it's a long task trying to work out where the screws came from!