My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

I have an ACER H5360 projector. I forgot to mention it. 3D works over both HDMI and VGA ports.

 

Hi,

I have some problems with my VPCZ11 and my Dell 2711. The Dell have the resolution 2048x1152@VGA (works with Intel like a charm) and the 2560x1440@Dulalink DVI to use this. it is possible to integrate these two resolutions out oft the box in the nvidia drivers? Yes I can add custom resolutions but when I go to hibernate the DVI Port didn't work anymore Only thing that helps is a new installation of the drivers. So I hope if I can add these resolutions I did not have these Problems anymore...

 

Hi All,

I have the new Z13 series & when it switches from stamina to speed or vice versa, a messages appears requesting I click okay to make graphic changes (it complains about msnmsgr.exe & skype.exe etc)

I know this has been asked about before & response is those apps hook to the graphics & hence message on screen & thefore closing these apps would remove the message.

However, my question is - is there a REGisty change we can apply to force the graphics change, as it is annoying to have to keep clicking okay to continue after each grpahics switching ?

Thanks,
T

 

2202 test canceled.
i will be using 2266 since 2254 also didn't work.
nvidia 267.xx is out, may want to try.

 

267.05 runs just fine on my system, Again with BIOS hack and Intel gpu disabled.

I actually thought about making a new thread for modded drivers for people with this setup (Intel gpu disabled) if people are interested?

 

it is a good idea to make one,
but you must warn people that modifying bios is very dangerous
beside you need to learn how to modify new inf instead of using the old one, sometimes you even need to change the original code into something older or newer.

edit:
news - Intel 2291 is out.

edit2:
STRICTLY DO NOT TRY 2291! you will end up with BSOD including Safe Mode!
29705 have the same problem with the previous 26666 the screen is blank even worse can't load nvidia driver at all.

 

Hi, I have tried the 2266 in hybrid mode, and everything works out fine.
I'm going to try out the 2291, and let all of youo know.

 

Well technically you may be right, the inf should be written from scratch for every driver, but frankly I really don't think it matters THAT much. Hence all the drivers I have tweaked actually works... flawlessly which is all both I and people need.

And no, I'm by no means encouraging people to hack their bios, but some people already have and I could give them the option to have constantly updated Nvidia drivers too.

Anyway, I will look into it.

 

DO NOT TRY 2291 YOU WILL END UP WITH BSOD WITH SAFE MODE ERROR

I can help you with the inf. but i am only available on Saturdays or Sundays.

 

Thanks a lot for the offer! Very nice of you.

I will keep you updated maybe clean up the inf file i use now and then you can have a look to see if you find anything "messy". Yet again I can confirm that they work like a charm, but of course ideally they should be clean too.

 

Glad to help.

For all:
I just tried 263.15 with Intel 2266 and it's working well in my VPCZ1
I am uploading Nvidia 263.15 - Intel 2266 for VPCZ1 in 2 parts this may take 5 - 6 hours. I will pass it for testers first, if no complain i pass it for public.

 

Description:

Code:

This is the latest working hybrid graphic driver.
The inf is build by me with help from Nautis.
26314 from nvidia works very well.
2266 is the last build that work perfectly and 2281 works with some errors.
Nvidia 26130 from microsoft is the last build from microsoft that included 3 hybrid graphic files.

installation windows vista and 7:

Code:

1. select speed mode
2. boot safe mode for windows 7
3. uninstall sony driver
4. reboot to normal mode
5. install my signed driver (you will get warning this is normal)
6. restart

installation windows 8:

Code:

check my signature

Supported Notebook:

Code:

Sony Vaio VPCZ1
Sony Vaio VGNZ

FAQ & Troubleshooting:

Code:

Q: how to permanently enable test mode?
A: Open a command prompt as an admin and type:
1."bcdedit -set loadoptions DISABLE_INTEGRITY_CHECKS"
2."bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING ON"

Q: how to revert back from permanent test mode?
A: Open a command prompt as an admin and type:
1. "bcdedit /deletevalue loadoptions"
2. "bcdedit -set TESTSIGNING OFF"

Q: How to sign driver?
A: look at the first page.

Q: How to uninstall the driver?
A: This is the best way to uninstall:
1. Boot windows in safe mode using 'F8' button while booting
2. Select admin account
3. Open programs and features.
4. Look at Nvidia driver and double click.
5. Restart.

Q: I am using optimus driver, how do I install hybrid graphic driver?
A: You will need to uninstall optimus first

Q: I am using dedicated driver and having intel graphic disabled, how do I install hybrid graphic driver?
A: you will need to uninstall nvidia enable back both graphic card, then you can install hybrid graphic driver

Q: VPCZ1 shows weird resolution during startup, If you check driver manager you'll find 2 warning sign(an exclamation mark inside a triangle)
A: have you sign the driver and run your computer in test mode?

Q: I am installing the driver without having the old hybrid graphic driver uninstalled, now I am having black screen?
A: you need to wait 2 minutes, press keyboard 'down arrow' key and press 'enter'.
If you are lucky enough the screen will come back. And you just need to sign the driver.
But if you are not lucky then you need to uninstall the driver from safe mode, and install the driver again.

Q: I have my hybrid graphic driver installed but I can't see nvidia graphic and the control panel doesn't work
A: this happen because you installed hybrid graphic driver in stamina mode, you will need to uninstall and restart before installing

Q: I installed hybrid graphic driver and experience lag in first boot, is this normal?
A: this is not normal, you will need to uninstall and restart your computer before installing new one

Q: will Special Features 1 and Special Features 2 available in package?
A: no, it will be available in .inf so you only need to change the .inf

Q: when will Special Features 1 and Special Features 2 .inf available?
A: available with all package except Nvidia 26315 - 2266 Megaupload, because this driver failed to work.

Q: how do i use rotate display?
A: go to control panel > display > adjust resolution > rotate

Q: will cuda reload after changing back from intel to nvidia?
A: cuda will not reload, but if it reload you will get cuda memory leakage and you will have to reinstall your driver.

Q: where is Nvidia 26315 - Intel 2266 Megaupload package?
A: since it failed to work, it is deleted but not from the source. 26x NBR stats(39x megaupload).

Q: how to get signed custom hybrid graphic driver?
A: use intel catalog instead of nvidia.

Q: so do i need to be in test mode to try signed driver
A: no you don't need to be in test mode because it is signed

Q: i used your signed driver but windows detected that your driver are not signed
A: this happens because your computer detected 2202 driver before installing my hybrid graphic, please reinstall.

Q: i can see a lot of bars before changing from nvidia to intel with 26314 2281
A: this only happened to 2281 please choose 2266 instead.

Q: i get bsod while loading
A: go to safe mode with networking and uninstall my hybrid graphic and reinstall.

Q: how to go to safe mode
A: press F8 before you see windows logo.

Q: where is the Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 Megaupload
A: Discontinued since signed version is out. latest stats 52 NBR

Q: where is the VGNZ Nvidia 26308 - Intel 1994 beta signed Megaupload
A: Discontinued since it is not working. latest stats 16 NBR

Q: where is the VGNZ Nvidia 26308 - Intel 1994 beta 2 signed Megaupload
A: Discontinued since it is not working. latest stats 17 NBR

Q: where is the VGNZ Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2281 signed Megaupload
A: Discontinued since it is not working. latest stats 5 NBR

Q: where is the latest VPCZ Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2281
A: Discontinued.

Q: how many downloads are there in total?
A: 103,000+

Q: where are the special features?
A: Discontinued. Will be documented later.

Q: what are the special features?
A: Standard Features:
-rotation disabled
-hybrid ui disabled
--transition timer off
--taskbar graphic card selector off
--manage blocking program on(off due to hybrid ui off)
-vpcz1 default color

Special Features 1:
-rotation disabled
-hybrid ui enabled
--transition timer off
--taskbar graphic card selector off
--manage blocking program on
-vpcz1 default color

Special Features 2:
-rotation enabled
-hybrid ui enabled
--transition timer off
--taskbar graphic card selector off
--manage blocking program on
-vpcz1 default color

Q: will you make special features available again?
A: yes, if requested.

ignore the following line

if you want unsigned driver and you are currently using SONY Hybrid graphic driver:
1. Make your computer run in test mode(look from faq)
2. restart
3. Switch to speed mode(Nvidia)
4. uninstall sony hybrid graphic driver
5. restart
6. install the new hybrid graphic select advance, tick perform clean install.
7. sign the driver.
8. restart.

old
Installation from old hybrid graphic:
if you want unsigned driver and if you are from Nautis Hybrid graphic driver:
1. make sure your power button function is to shutdown your computer
2. Make sure you are in test mode
3. Switch to speed mode(Nvidia)
4. Uninstall the old hybrid graphic
5. your computer will end up with some bsod(please use a stopwatch and time exactly 3 minutes)
6. press the power button(shutting down)
7. power on again
8. Install the new hybrid graphic select advance, tick perform clean install.
9. Sign the driver

latest available driver

Code:

latest working for hybrid graphic
Intel 2266 for intel hd graphic and second generation sandy bridge.
Intel 2281 for intel hd graphic and gma 4500
Nvidia 26314 from gainward
Nvidia 26130 from microsoft
Nvidia 26308 1994 from dell.
Intel 2020 from msi

Current Status:

Hybrid graphic driver "Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 signed" is up (don't need to sign), Special features 1 and 2 included in packages.

New VGNZ Hybrid graphic driver "VGNZ Nvidia 26308 - Intel 2020 signed" is up (don't need to sign), Special features 1 and 2 not included in packages. For flickers issue:failure13's post

Special Thanks:

Code:

Nautis for inf modification help
Killerzac for advice using intel catalog and 2281
samurri for the mirror.
and all others who have contributed but the nickname not listed
failure13 for helping to test out 26308 2020 and his support

 

Thanks a lot Andrew08! Hope this is going to work nicely!

 

I would like to test it. Perhaps it solved my problem with my Dell 2711 Problem...

 

This driver is only for Sony Vaio vpc-z1.
Means the driver will not work for vostro 3700 without modification, I don't know about dell 2711. But definitely not for it.

 

I think there is a little missunderstanding I have a Vaio VPCZ11 with a dell 2711 monitor on the end which is driving me crazy, because the vaio didn't really accept the 2560x1440 resolution via DVI.

 

Wouldn't mind testing it either. I have noticed some problems with prior drivers (263.09 nvidia) when docking the z in stamina mode on z dock. The laptop screen starts flickering like crazy as the laptop tries to change to DVI out. I'll message you my email.

Thanks !

 

Just checked today (only had nSight 1.51 and 1.5 DL was broken few days ago): parallel nsight works fine with 1.5 and NV 263.00 + Intel 2202.

Also, today I tried to make an updated hybrid driver with 267.05 but unfortunately it didn't work (same issue, could switch one time from NV=>Intel, but impossible to go back).

Has anyone successfully made a driver 264+ work? I am not sure weither it's simply not supported/tested anymore in new drivers (as optimus replaced it), or if it is a bug, or simply some registry values to tweak (might be hard to do until one manufacturer release 264+ packaged hybrid driver so we can check what is needed).

Any idea?

 

I'm very curious for a half of an year already...
Someone tell me, is there any fully WORKING drivers for VGN-Z11VRN?
With nvidia 2xx series drivers, cuda, physx etc...

I know that vpcz are coll, no doubts...
But don't let other users down please, we're still alive here

thx

 

I am sorry, well I can't tell that you have enough experience since your post is not ±50 and it's very dangerous to install hybrid graphic driver without experience, please wait until it is out.

I still have 1 more registry tweak to try end of this week. Everyone is working hard to get this done, but it is still very impossible to upgrade intel to 2291.

Don't worry about VGN Z, I got a e-mail from Nautis dated Feb 22, 2011.

 

Sorry that I didn't post everythings that comes into my mind and that I read most of the time. And yes you are right my degree on applied computer science did not afford me to install a hybrid driver.
BTW Yes its your choise, but please do not think that I'am a kid and handle me that I did not know what I do.

 

Not trying to defend anyone here, just saying that the limit of 50 posts that Andrew08 gave is probably just so that he had a cutoff criteria. He probably only came up with it to protect the interests of the community, because, lets face it, there's no way for him to be able to tell who understands whats being done here and who doesn't.

 

I see you got some guts to install, I sent you the link.

I only need someone to test, is mean to improve it before releasing, because if 3 out of 5 people having difficulties to install that means I need to put more faq, guide, or troubleshooting. Btw how is your test?

 

Scheduled for tonight. I thought I would have time yesterday, but I had some CFD paper to correct. sorry for the delay

 

Ok. Take your time.

 

Apologies if I am duplicating an existing question, but there are a lot of posts in this topic.

I have a VPCZ13 and installed these drivers successfully, however I tried running the deviceQuery.exe app from the GPUToolkit and it claimed not CUDA devices were found (even though the NV control panel thinks CUDA is there and fine).

Has anyone else had this problem, or success which would indicate I need to reinstall?

Finally, are there any versions which contain the CUDA dev drivers (if in fact they differ - I can't find anything [other than the file name] that indicates whether or not they are different)?

Thanks in advance,

Paul.

 

Ignore me, installed the a later version found in the last few pages and that seems to have worked. Thanks.

 

Final follow up - it works if I boot up with NV, but if I switch to intel and switch back I have to reboot before it will acknowledge CUDA again...

 

^ everyone knows about that in this thread.

 

I am very sorry for the repost.
this is until Nautis can do something

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/342947-my-discoveries-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics-252.html#post7176699

everyone please try and give comment. 2 people already told me that they are having difficulties installing.

Edit
12 people downloaded yet no comment...

 

the installer works only when the graphics card driver is selected. When I tried to install the audio and gpu driver together, the installer would just hang.

Even after installing the gpu driver only, the switching from nvidia to intel was not working. it went to black screen directly and had to manually turn the laptop off. the device manager showed that the both graphic drivers were installed correctly.

off the topic; looking at the spec of newly updated MBP makes me think...

whether I have to switch to mac.... although the configuration that i want costs about $2699 + tax......................... (2820M + 6750M)

 

At last! I tested everything and just waiting for this report. Thanks vavabavava.
I will release 26314 2266 in 2 days time will replace 26315 2266.

 

^ thanks for your time

I always keep track of this thread. I would love to do some mod by myself if I had known better about this matter.

thanks again and I am looking forward to the release of the newer driver!

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/342947-my-discoveries-vaio-z-s-hybrid-graphics-252.html#post7176699

VPCZ1 Nvidia 263.14 - Intel 2266 is out (untested)

 

I am wondering a bit, is there a need for that driver?

There is the 263.00 - 2022 that works flawless, whats the big improvement? Nebertheless i downloaded it.

 

Dear Andrew08, I don't know what do you mean by untested. I have been using 2266 months before you even suggest 2266 in the forum. It has been very stable. To anyone that is planning to upgrade to 263.14 + 2266, please remember to install the latest intel 2291 turbo boost and intel driver. That would help.

Ta.ta.

 

what i mean by untested is my package is untested because i am not with my vaio vpcz1

intel 2291 for hybrid graphic? you'll end with bsod including safe mode.

if you are planning to install latest turboboost driver you will also end up losing sony turboboost driver and bsod. I don't know if this only happen to me, but since i tried everything beforehand i can tell you my experience.

edit:
i think i suggested 2266 back in Dec 17th or 24th 2010 i can't recall, but i can assure you i am very updated about graphic card driver.

edit2:
for all i still seing intel code until 267.05 but i can't get it working, should i try capella mode? anyone have any explanation what is intel capella? i will retry 26315 = 2266 with capella mode on or 26705 2279 with capella on 27/02/11.

 

Dear Andrew08 from singapore, If you are so updated, please have a look at the latest intel 2281 for GMA ! If not, I would suggest you go and download it. I have it running perfectly in hyrid mode on my vpcz12 today. In case you start posting updates about 2281 later in the months.

FYI, I did get BSOD, but i can still get into safe mode without problem. Therefore, i can remove the graphic driver. Turbo Boost driver does not belong to nviidia, it belongs to intel. If you are not sure about the turbo boost technology, you can download "Intel(R) Turbo Boost Technology Monitor 2.0". It is working great.

In the latest 2281, no BSOD found after installing Turbo Boost driver.

 

It worked flawlessly on my vaio Z13. Not BSOD, no black screen... Great job with these drivers !

Do you what is the new service called NvXDSync.exe ?

Have a nice day.

 

Installed over official sony, (didn't even need to uninstall them)

Switching is working fine, and as an added bonus, the screen doesn't flicker like crazy when I dock my vaio in stamina mode (it hasn't done it yet anyways)

The cuda issue is still there though.

 

Great finding, never know that gma driver can be used for hybrid driver.

the only thing is intel turbo boost will not install to your vaio vpc z, and you must do something in order for it to install, and if you do that you will really end up with bsod, let others decide.

cuda issue...
can you try something?
they have this physx configuration. try using nvidia instead of intel, if i remember correctly you will enabled the cuda back.
i know that physx have nothing to do with cuda, but in one of my report i post that i managed to get cuda back after switching from intel, but i got a very big problem with it, memory leakage.

if i am not wrong this was added since 26063 or 26052 but i think 26063
this is only my guess, do you remember while using ie9 changing hybrid graphic with sony driver will crash your computer? but with this process you will have it fixed.(unverified report)

edit:
since Killerzac tell me that 2281 for gma works for vpcz1 i will try using 26314 - 2279 inf to give a try. 2281 inf with the full package will be ready next week. sorry for the waiting time.

 

there's one more thing i wanted to talk about.

with the nautis' drivers package, there was no need to manually sign the driver.

When he was working on the driver package that doesn't require driver signing, he had a couple of beta versions and I installed.

Then newer driver package by Nautis the th (3d-artist) came out and those drivers did not require any signing. I don't know what happened to it but it just didn't require driver signing although the device manager says the driver is not signed.

However, your driver 263.14 + 2266 works well and require the driver signing. I am wondering if there's a way to include bypassing the driver signing check in the installer.

I am testing 263.14 and will report back.

added:

the switching feels much more swift !! compared to previous 260.63, 263.00

 

the newer driver 263.14 doesn't show red peaks in DPC Latency Checker when z is using GT330M. I used to see a regularly repeating red peaks with official drivers, 260.63, and 263.00 but I don't get to see them anymore in the DPC.

 

actually i got beta version of nautis signed driver 265.xx but still required signing.

dpc problem was reported by me before. but still a good news.

 

I had the physx set to the 330m before. Just tried to switch it to autoselect, then intel, then back to nvidia, reran gpu-z to see if cuda was on, but it still wasn't. Did you go about it another way than that to re-enable it and get your memory leak ?

Thanks for all the hard work you're putting into this !

 

Dear vavabavava ( Notebook consultant), you should know best how to bypass the digital signing. Why popped the question?? If you really know how hybrid driver works, Intel driver is the primary driver of the hybrid mode and not nvidia.

Easy answer to your question "YES" you can bypass the digital signing. I have been doing that since the beginning of nautils.

All you have to do is change the catalogfile to "CatalogFile=igdlh.cat" in the inf file, remember to include igdlh.cat in your Display.driver. In case you may wonder, igdlh.cat comes with Intel driver. duh...
Done.

 

Question for BenBen01 and Andrew08:
i am hoping to be able to ROTATE the attached monitor on my vaio Z 1390X . downloading the suggested Nvidia updates for the 330M merely freezes the system.
any suggestions? am semi-computer literate and DESPERATE. need to work in portrait mode. and cannot. the computer has just been returned from sony's san diego repair where they say screen rotation is "not an option we offer" on the Z series. i thought it was standard!

 

Sorry, but I can't recall but I think I set the physx to Nvidia while in speed mode after that switch to Intel and switch back and test cuda application, after 5 minutes I realised my ram usage became 6GB and increasing so I decided to reset all the settings and the problem is gone.

Thanks for sharing. Never realised this myself.

Please check my thread and you will see special features 1 & 2 it is inside 26314 2266

 

Anyone else with a VPCZ11 having random stutters every 2-10 seconds when watching Flash videos on sites, such as Break.com and Collegehumor.com and sometimes even youtube.com?

I did not have this problem when using 10.1. I am using the Nvidia 260.63 with Intel 2202 drivers from the front page. I would greatly appreciate it if someone using them can tell me if they have this problem as well. Thanks in advance.

 

Running Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 now. Works fine.

[EDIT]: Switching may run in some small problems if it is switched too fast back and forth. Just have to wait then with a black screen. (I am using external monitor via VGA)
[EDIT2]: Hm, graphics driver crashed and was reseted by windows while switching from nv to intel. Will check without external monitor.
[EDIT3]: Jeah, its due to the external monitor.