My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

It is easier since it is already a Hybrid Graphics driver. The 189.92 drivers that I previously posted are still newer though.

Something interesting to note is that these are in the 189 series of drivers. Dell has tenancy to post some of the latest drivers available for a notebook. I can assume the Vostro 3700 (which these 189.90 drivers are from) has Intel HD graphics like your z11/12. It seems like all notebooks with Hybrid Graphics and Intel HD are stuck at the 189 series due to driver bugs.

When using drivers above the 189 series on the Vaio Z11/12 or other Hybrid Graphics notebooks with Intel HD it gives a black screen.

This is similar to the black screen that happens with Hybrid Graphics notebooks that have a Intel GMA 4500MHD like the old VGN Vaio Z. The Hybrid Graphics notebooks with Intel GMA 4500MHD can use the latest Nvidia drivers but when trying to update the Intel drivers to anything past 2020 they give a black screen.

Black Screen issues have been reported to Intel and the latest drivers posted by them includes a fix for many of the black screen issues on various other notebooks. To quote Robert_U on the Intel forums "This driver provides a work around for an issue found with the EDID on specific LCD panels commononly used on mobile systems and rarely, desktop displays." Latest Intel 2182 with EDID fixes (64bit).

I have to assume the black screen issues that we are seeing are some sort of EDID issue. I have tested these latest drivers on my VPC Vaio Z with Intel GMA 4500MHD and still have the black screen issue. AFAIK these have not been tested on the Z11/12 yet.

 

newer for nvidia(189.92) site but older for intel(2104) side...
if possible can you mod 189.92 with intel 2119?

 

double post...

 

Why not jump all the way to 2182 which are the latest. You should be able to just replace the files with the ones from 2182 and it should work. Doing this may make the certificate unverifiable and the drivers may need to be signed after in order to work though.

If you wait a little bit, I am writing up a Modding 101 on how to create what I call Hybrid Graphics Separates. Hybrid Graphics Separates are basically the Nvidia and Intel drivers split properly back in to two driver sets. The largest benefit to doing it this way besides much easier upgrading and modding is that driver signing SHOULD no longer be required. The biggest issue with installing Hybrid Graphics Separates is that they will not function until BOTH drivers are installed. Hybrid Graphics Separates will make it so you can try whatever version of the Intel drivers with whatever version of the Nvidia drivers you'd like.

 

will the switch or hotkey work if you do this?

 

It should. The drivers are different, but the settings should stay the same.

 

Yep, the Intel side of Hybrid Graphics is pretty straight forward. The settings rarely if ever change so upgrading can be as simple as just switching files and installing. The only issue with switching files is that it breaks the signature certificate so the drivers will need to be signed if doing this.

My Hybrid Graphics Separates technique should eliminate the need for signing because each driver package has its own certificate.

If you want to test an Intel Hybrid Graphics Separates package of your own do the following:
WARNING: This specific method is currently untested and could cause unforeseen problems. Use at your own risk.

1.) Download the zip version of the Intel drivers you want to test. (In this example I will use 2182.)
2.) After downloading unzip the drivers open the INF.

3.) Find the following section

and comment out the lines using a semicolon like this

4.) Now find the following section

and comment out only the following lines with a semicolon

You can ignore the others as they are not used.

5.) The final modification is to find the following section

and change it to

Congratulations you have just created an Intel Hybrid Graphics Separates package. You should now be able to save the INF and install the drivers. Since I have not yet explained about the Nvidia Hybrid Graphics Separates, this method should be used to upgrade the Intel drivers only and not for a fresh install. To do this make sure you have a Hybrid Graphics driver already installed and then install the Intel driver you just modified over the existing Hybrid Graphics driver. DO NOT UNINSTALL FIRST. It may say something about the existing driver being newer, this is due to the fact that the Hybrid Graphics driver erroneously uses the Nvidia version for both drivers.

A note about Intel Hybrid Graphics Separates: You are basically creating a broken driver using this method. The reason this broken driver works with Hybrid Graphics is because Hybrid Graphics uses Nvidias CoInstaller and Service instead of Intels. The Nvidia drivers install the proper CoInstaller and Service so it is not really needed to be installed again on the Intel side. This is also the reason both drivers need to be installed before anything will work.

The Nvidia side of Hybrid Graphic Separates is a bit more complicated so it will take more time to explain.

 

Post it at the front page when finished please.

 

New test driver for Z11/12 users only.
[Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2182 - 64bit]
Advanced users only. Use at your own risk.
Chances are they will not work unless the Intel 2182 drivers fixed something. Please let me know what happens with these. Make sure to sign these as they do not have a proper certificate.

 

Hello Nautis,

just wanted to say that the link for your newest driver to test is not correct.

 

Hah oops try it now.

 

it's fine now

T H X

 

Before installing [ Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2182 - 64bit ], I did not uninstall my original driver.
If I switch to SPEED mode, the installation completes with nothing changes.
If I switch to STAMINA mode, the installation completes but the SPEED mode does not work.
So I reinstall back the original driver.

 

Giving the new driver a try, i'll edit my post how it works and all.

 

I forgot to mention that they of course need to be signed.

 

Hmm does that work, can't seem to get them to install at all :S. Probably doing something wrong here, but since i'm not sure xD.

 

Let me look over the INF to see what I screwed up. I am sure I messed up something, it was another late night mod.

 

Ok changed a couple things which could be causing the install issue. I am reuploading the full package now. For those who have already downloaded it the updated INF is here. Sorry bout that guys, I cant really test these because I have a older VGNZ.

 

giving this inf update a try, an post edit in 5mins if this works or not hehe.
----------------------------
//edit

Good things:
Drivers works
Switching kinda works

Bad things:
switching works, but no image on vaio screen on intel (only on the VGA display)
no control panel intel

Nothing further. So still the ''black screen'' issues. My guess is something on the intel side isn't loading correctly.

 

Interesting.. I have updated the INF a little further and posted a version 2 up here. I am not updating the main package again until I get feedback on this INF.

Version 2 Update Info
This time I took a few key things from the Intel side of the 189.92 packages INF and changed around a few small things.

Thank you for testing this stuff.

 

Sorry for cross-posting this, Nautis did you see this post (and a number of subsequent posts):
http://forum.notebookreview.com/son...7-official-owners-thread-683.html#post6572639

Someone downloaded an Nvidia driver and everything seems to work okay. (!!!!) I must be missing something?

Edit: Okay I guess it's not Optimus, but still, an updated driver that works without hacks (!!!!)

 

Too bad, was hoping you we're the master of the universe. But it didn't work .

What i did:
- removed old drivers
- installed this one (tried both v1 and v2 inf's)
- enabled test mode before reboot (and rebooted)

What works:
-the switching itself
- HDMI output
- Picture on intel card with VGA output

Issues
- No intel icon in tray (aka not able to reach settings), so not installing properly i guess.
- getting picture with intel when booting up in ''intel mode'' but no picture after going to nvidia and back to intel after that.

 

Most likely the drivers did not update or something in the update went wonky and it is still using the others drivers. It would be best for him to [open control panel -> device manager -> display adapters -> NVIDIA GeForce... -> Driver Tab -> Driver Details button] and check the file version listed on each of the files.

Ok, yeah. I figured as much just wanted to make sure I didn't stumble upon a magic setting with the 189.92 drivers.

What seems to be happening is that the Hybrid Graphics functionality in the newer Nvidia drivers seems to be causing the Intel drivers not to detect the screen properly. So who is at fault there, hard to say. Seems to me this is probably related to the Intel EDID and detection problems, some of which they fixed in 2182.

I am going to install 189.92 on my VGN-Z to see if I can get updated Intel drivers working. I want to see if I can replicate the same issue you giys are having on the VPC-Z.

 

I asked him a screenshot of NVIDIA inspector, that should show the driver version...

 

It should, assuming it doesn't pull the version number from the DriverVer string in the INF. (I would hope a program as advanced as NVIDIA Inspector doesn't.) There are circumstances where a new INF is used but the driver files get rolled back or where a few files will get copied but not all.

The only circumstances I can see that the standard Verde package would be working with the VPC-Z are:
1.) if it was forced and it is using Optimus.
2.) by some freak happenstance that some of the Verde driver files got copied and/or the DriverVer was used from the Verde INF. (In this case I cant see it working very well, if at all.)

 

If one of you VPC-Z users really want to be adventurous you can try using the DTD Calculator to try to make the Intel drivers work around the EDID bugs.

 

Tried it out, although i just used the timings and all found in the EDID of the display, stil no news. Gonna check again in a while, but don't think that fixes things >_<

 

i missed a lot of posts...
anyway Nautis, seems it is impossible to update to latest Intel... 2119 is the latest for hybrid graphic...
so what about the idea from the page before to upgrade them separately?
you haven't explain nvidia site...
and also if possible please make Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2119.
Thx

 

Yes it is much more important for me as the latest CUDA can be obtained.

 

Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020 will not work for the VPC-Z it only works for the older VGN-Z. Nvidia 189.92 / 2182 will most likely work for the VPC-Z. I am going to contact Intel about the issue and urge the OEMs to do the same.

For the VPC-Z if you need updated Nvidia drivers your best bet is to disable Hybrid Graphics and run the discrete GPU solo.

I am working on the Hybrid Graphics Separates and Nvidia instructions. Most of the relevant information is in the first post. I have a lot of projects underway and get to what I can when I can. This hobby tends to take up all my spare time. I try to post a lot of the most useful information to my "Nautis1100 Hybrid and Optimus Drivers" section at LV2G.
You will find three sections on LV2G relevant to Hybrid Graphics:
Hybrid Graphics Master Set Drivers
Latest OFFICIAL Drivers for Hybrid/Switchable Graphics & Optimus
Modding 101 - The Basics and Hybrid Graphics.

 

@nautis:
which is the latest driver for the old VGN-Z that you have?

 

...

freilassing, the driver is linked in the post right before yours: Hybrid Graphics Master Set Drivers - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

It is the 258.49 driver, but that one may have issues with the screen flickering. If it does, please report as such, and you can try use the 191.97/191.90 drivers instead.

 

I have Nvidia 258.96 / Intel 2020 posted there which supports the VGN-Z not sure it is working very well though.

For the VPC-Z I am looking at a new 198.99 / 2141 set from Dell.

EDIT:Also taking a look at 259.31 (Developer) drivers.

I also recommended checking out PowerMizer Manager which now works with Hybrid Graphics notebooks.

 

Great, the PowerMizer Manager solved the screen flickering problem on 258.96. Going to give a hard time to GPU with Mafia II

 

Nautis it seems you are my last hope. I´m writing my degree dissertation and the only reason i bought a vaio was cuda and the large battery life. I wanted to work and test code when i am not on my fermi workstation. That cuda does not work on this notebook pisses me realy off .
The pack from yesterday didn´t work an my notebook. A resolution above 1280x1024 was not possible, changing graphic modes was not possible.
I have a Sony Vaio VPCZ12C5E if it help i enlist as tester.

 

Latest VPC-Z11/12 Hybrid Graphics Drivers
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2141 - Beta1 - 64bit]
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2141 - Beta1 - 32bit]
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2182 - Beta1 - 64bit] Note: This one needs to be signed see instructions in first post.

I have added a couple of new settings to these that are more consistent with what I have seen from other recent Optimus/Hybrid Graphics notebooks with a 330M and Intel HD. I have also changed and removed a few things. Please test these throughly; does the nvidia gpu turn off, sleep/hibernate, brightness, etc.

Those wanting guaranteed stability might want to hold off on these until they are tested.

I also recommended checking out PowerMizer Manager which now works with Hybrid Graphics notebooks.

EDIT:
189.99 Beta2 INFs
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2141 - Beta2 (INF Only) - 64bit]
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2141 - Beta2 (INF Only) - 32bit]
[Nvidia 189.99 / Intel 2182 - Beta2 (INF Only) - 64bit]
Note: Right Click and Save As.

 

There are only really 3 options for VPC-Z users wanting the latest up-to-date drivers with cuda, opencl, etc.


1.) Single GPU Mode - This essentially forces the Vaio Z to only see the Discrete GPU which is the NVIDIA GeForce 330M. With this you can install and use the latest standard Nvidia drivers. The only way to get this VGA Switching Policy option is through the Advanced Menu in the BIOs. You will find instructions on enabling the Advanced Menu in the BIOs here. After enabling the Advanced BIOs you will want to set VGA Switching Policy to Static. This will be your best and most reliable option but it involves BIOs editing and enabling of features that can cause your machine to no longer boot.


2.) Optimus on Hybrid Graphics - This is essentially loading standard Intel and Nvidia drivers on your notebook with Optimus enabled. The drawback here is that there is a large overlay on the screen unless an external monitor is plugged in and the Nvidia GPU is not powering down fully. Optimus on Hybrid Graphics may be your easiest method though I am not sure how reliable it is or how well it will work. You can find Optimus on Hybrid Graphics instructions here and here and the latest drivers here.

3.) Use the 258.96 Hybrid Graphics drivers keeping it switched to SPEED. The Intel drivers/Stamina will not work with these, it gives a black screen and only outputs anything on Stamina when connected to VGA. Windows needs to be put into test mode and these drivers must be signed, you can fins instructions on the very first post of this thread on how to set test mode and signing. I don't recommended this choice since the Intel side does not work and the Nvidia side may be buggy.

Screenshots by ZoinksS2k

 

Thanks nautis, giving these 189.99 a try, i'll edit my post with ''how it works'' and all.

Edit 1:
z11/z12 - nvidia 189.99 - intel 2142 x64 build
What works
- Switching works all 3 ways (incl. auto mode)
- nvidia card turns off when switched to intel
- both control panels reachable
- HDMI output (with nvidia ofcourse)

Minor issues
- nvidia kernel driver crashes (and recovers) when switching sometimes, but it's working perfectly anyways.

Edit2:
Same results as the one above. Sometimes a random nvidia kernel thingy crash, but it all works perfectly tho (since it recovers itself right after switching).

 

Crashing huh.. thats never good.

Two of the new settings are:
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Hybrid",SkipIntelUmdCapella,%REG_DWORD%,1
HKLM,"Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Hybrid",BlockTransitionWithDGPUOnlyHeadsEnabled,%REG_DWORD%,1
we also have
HKR,,FastResume,%REG_DWORD%,0x1

The crashing may be related to one of those, most likely SkipIntelUmdCapella or FastResume. I assume BlockTransitionWithDGPUOnlyHeadsEnabled blocks switching when something like HDMI is used since it only works with the Nvidia GPU (dGPU).

Looks like I also missed a couple of settings that I meant to copy over:
HKR,,RMCacheLoc,%REG_DWORD%,0
HKR,,RMDisableInst2Sys,%REG_DWORD%,1

If you want you can open regedit and go to
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\NVIDIA Corporation\Global\Hybrid to edit the settings above.

The missing settings go in
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Class\{4D36E968-E325-11CE-BFC1-08002BE10318} (or whichever one is Display Adapters) under 0001 or 0000 (whichever is Nvidia).

Make sure to reboot after adjusting any settings in the registry. That is about it. I am going to revise the INFs to see if I can rid that crashing.

EDIT: Beta2 INFs added. Changelog: Added missing settings, thats about it.

EDIT2: The nice thing about this 189.99 set (once I stop breaking it) is that it comes from an official hybrid graphics set for the Dell Vostro 3700. The Dell Vostro 3700 has a NVIDIA GeForce 330M and Intel HD just like the VPC-Z does so it will be a good one to keep an eye on.

 

Tried beta 2 inf, same results.

Quick question. Why do these drivers work (18x series) and the 19x and 25x series don't? Are the inf files that much different?

Things to know about 189.99 / 2141 driver:
- new switching graphic, looks much more ''switchable graphics''
- switching seems faster
- gaming performance is about the same (although i have the feeling it's a little bit less fps in UT3, CoD6)
- sometimes crash/recovery on nvidia driver kernel

 

It has something to do with the way 189 handles Hybrid Graphics. Its not an INF thing it has something to do with the way the 189 series interacts with the Intel driver internally. There is a lot different internally in the drivers so it is extremely difficult to pinpoint. The 189 series is quite strange because it is a rather new series with a low version number. Most of the drivers released in the 189 series are either Hybrid Graphics or Optimus. It seems like the common bond is Intel HD.

Thanks for more testing and info. Can you get any screenshots or anything of the new switching graphic? Beta 3 coming soon with things hopefully fixed this time. Rolling back some of those new settings.

 

I mean this graphic when your switching

left intel / right nvidia (performance)
I think it looks pretty nice, and gives a more hybrid graphic feeling to me. The old one just ''switches'', this let's you now to what it's switching >_<

Ok , great news, i'll gladly test the beta3 out ^_^

EDIT/

Some new things
- After some more testing: fps in games is about the same (about 1fps difference sometimes)
- Color settings get remembered tho (that's a better thing)

 

Hello,

Sorry for my ignorance but I came accross this topic while looking for an issue I have with my Vaio Z12 and I think the people on this thread should be able to give me a definitive answer.

The issue I have is that I use my vaio notebook as workstation replacement at my office and I would like to run an extended desktop over two 22" external monitors over sony VGA and HDMI port. At the time it's not possible, only one external monitor (either DVI or VGA) can be activated even if both are detected

Is the constraint hardware based or driver based ?

Thanks for your hints.

Gilles

 

Are you sure, i thought i've read somewhere here, that this is possible with the nVidia-GPU, because the intel-cpu can't touch the HDMI-Port.

 

What settings did you change?
Edit: Got it, works great

 

Currently with the nvidia gpu i can use integrated screen + external display on vga or integrated screen and external display on hdmi but not both external display.

The three screens are available in nview but when I try to activate both external displays I receive a message saying that the graphic controller can only manage one display at the time.

If you know how I could achieve to use 2 external displays it would be a relief

 

The only way to drive 2 external monitors from the Z is with an external video card driving one of the monitors. You can go high-end like the viDock, or lower-end like the viBook - users have gotten both to work (I personally use the viBook). There are pros and cons with both (price, size, and performance are the main distinguishers).

-Peter

 

Nautus, any updates on the inf for 258.96 to fix not being able to enable multiple displays?

 

You can go really low-end with a USB DisplayPort video adapter. I'm using the Diamond BVU-195. This is not a high-performance setup, but it is inexpensive and very easy to install.

 

Dual External Monitor Setup;

I have Z, 2 x 24 inch LCD. I researched this subject a lot and finally bought a Kensington USB to VGA adapter 3 months ago. Overall I'm satisfied with it but I do have a couple issues. I can run both monitors on 1920 x 1080 res.

1. First time I tried, there was a lot of stutter on the USB to VGA screen but since I downloaded and installed latest drivers from DisplayLink it works a lot better except video performance. I can still watch Youtube but not in full screen mode. It's somewhat expectable from a cheaper solution.

2. For me the most annoying thing is when there is a lot of (or some) activity on the second screen, DisplayLinkManager.exe starts eating on average of 10% CPU. If you have Aero turned on, it somewhat aggrevates DWM.exe which also starts eating up around 10% so here comes the fan noise without doing much. I ended up turning Aero off which helped but it still is very annoying.

3. When the laptop is running and connected to the two external monitors, if decide to unplug screens and use laptop by itself, the laptop screen doesn't turn on and fn change display key doesn't work. Sometimes I reboot it and the screen still doesn't come on, like it's stuck. Finally I found a work around that before unplugging I turn the laptop off and unplug it then restart.