My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

Are you using the latest revision of this one? (rev 3 with the registry changes?)
Switching works now on my VGN-Z.

 

I thought I saw that there were 270 hybrid drivers out now, my INF is for the 270.53 beta drivers from nVidia, you just replace the INF from that package with my INF and it works. But you need the BIOS hack, and you need your switch set to speed, and you don't have hybrid functionality. You can still use Intel/stamina mode for battery saving, but you need to reboot to do it.

Look around, I know that I saw that someone had made a nVidia 270.XX/Intel 22XX hybrid set

 

I just looked around and couldn't find it. I saw how you managed to disable the intel via bios and then install 270.. It would be nice to preserve hybrid and know that someone tested the 270 hybrid...

It would be so cool if VMWare supported GPU virtualization then I could simply mess with a stand alone VM-OS but not the case yet..

Thank you

 

what different between the NVIDIA version 8.16.11.9024 and the 8.16.11.8880,

I have the VPCZ12JHX

 

Please remove fullquote.

 

I knew I saw info on 270, look here

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/469747-sony-z11-nvidia-optimus-37.html#post7323972

 

Sorry for the inconvenience........

 

sorry i left this thread for too long, i am currently busy, but don't worry i am still updated about new driver. newest driver from microsoft still 268.09 which means no hybrid graphic driver files included, but i will download it to double confirm. I am still waiting for microsoft to release 270.xx.

 

I hate to be the guy to not study a thread and ask stupid questions, but I have spent some time in this thread there's 280+ pages and it's really hard to digest it all and get the current state of things.

I just need a 195 or newer nvidia driver to be able to use the v3 Cuda tools (to run the Octane renderer). Can someone point out the stablest, easiest intalled, most tested, least hacky, least warranty voiding driver out there?? Something that works well with all three modes of the hybrid graphics settings, etc. Basically works like the factory driver, but new enough to support the newish Cuda tools.

As much as I love my new Z, every time I buy a Sony laptop I say it's going to be the last time, because every time I run in to this same issue, little to no driver support. And no updates after the first few months a product is released. And here I am again. Damn you Sony!!!

 

There are plenty of updates for drivers, you just won't find them from Sony. Doesn't bother me a bit.

 

Yes but they're at own risks. Would warranty still work in case of a problem?
It is always better to have manufacturer support. However i have other brands laptops and it was always the same problem...

I am also a bit lost (noobie in this thread, sorry ) and i did not understand if i have to upgrade/crack the BIOS to be able to install new drivers or simply follow the 1st post of this thread (OP).
Edit : found... the 263 driver comes with nv/intel switch enabled without any bios hack, while to go further with newest drivers we need to hack bios.


So is there any trouble to use the 263 drivers ? Anything that will not work or does everything work like official drivers ?

 

I don't see how software/drivers will void your warranty, but I am a huge fan of mods and I don't really care about my warranty.

I don't think Sony is alone in bad driver support, I used to own some Dell Dimension computers and it was the same deal, pretty much go to dell for the BIOS updates and look elsewhere for everything else.

The idea of not buying Sony because of poor support is a bit of a laugh. Firstly I have always gotten great support from them. Second I really didn't buy Sony for their support, which is notoriously bad, I buy Sony cause they make the sexiest stuff.

Correct, hybrid drivers can be used without the hack. The hack allows you to turn hybrid off and use the latest versions of both Intel (no INF mod) and nVidia (small INF mod)

I never really used the 263.XX drivers I used the 260.XX drivers because they worked with the 3D Vision drivers from nVidia.

 

Nothing to worry about, just use the Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266. They're already signed and tested and there's no need for the BIOS hack.

The only issue I've heard so far is the CUDA drivers that don't load properly after switching from speed to stamina and then back to speed (anyway a reboot is enough to fix the problem). If you just keep your selector to speed there will be no problem at all.

 

Are there people still building the driver install packages for us or do we have to do it manually

Sorry I'm just not that tech savvy when i come to flashing files and whatnot.

 

There's alot of trying to do. Newer nvidia drivers don't seem to have hybrid graphic support (only optimus). And newer intel drivers give the Z an blank screen when switching, so the 263.14 / 2266 or 263.14 / 2281 are the last ones that work.

 

looks like the optimus (270.61) is working with my Dell vostro 3700, you guys make also want to try that out. kinda happy with it too. wow. thanks everyone who works on it. andrew and Nautis1100

 

Hi guys, I'm sorry I have kind of a silly question, but I couldn't find a real answer in the topic so here goes:
If I don't need the hybrid switching ability while already booted (as I usually don't need the nVidia GPU), but I still need to be able to switch when necessary before I boot (let's say I want to do some video editing e.g.), do I need the hybrid drivers or can I just install the latest nVidia and Intel drivers separately?

I ask this because - after installing the latest "stable" drivers (Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 signed) the "live switching" doesn't work (on a clean windows 7 install, switching before booting is no problem), so I figured if I can't use the switching ability, I might as well use the very latest official drivers... Or is there something I'm still supposed to do after installing the drivers before the Hybrid switch works?

 

If you don't need or want the ability to switch between modes after booting, I suggest you look into the bios mod. I run my Z in stamina for business, but when I want to game, I reboot in speed. This will allow you to install the latest nvidia drivers to get maximum performance out of the Z.

My 2 cents

 

That's exactly what I needed to hear, thanks!

One more question though: any idea why the latest signed stable and unstable drivers here don't work on my computer? They install fine and seem to work ok, but the switch only changes when rebooting the computer.
It's a Sony Vaio VPCZ128GG, but afaik they should work on any VPCZ1..., no?

 

Install those Sony utilities, after that a three way switch symbol appears in the status bar and your switch as well as the fn+... shortcuts should work. Hope this helps.

 

@Maven
If you are ok with rebooting to change modes you can just copy the Verde 270.51/Display.Driver folder into your hybrid/Display.Driver folder and reinstall. (do not copy the nvapi64.dl_ or the DisplayDriver.nvi because if you use the 64 bit api you loose brightness control in nvidia mode.
I use this to get cuda 4.0.1, and no bios modding is necessary.

 

Could you please elaborate on what kind of Sony utilities?
I installed (in this order) from this website Support for VPCZ128GG : Z Series : VAIO Notebook : Sony Asia Pacific:
SettingUtilitySeries
SonySharedLibrary
VaioEventService
VaioControlCenter
VaioPowerManagement

But still, it doesn't work...

 

good finding, but i am still waiting for 270xx from microsoft.

 

Am I being cheeky to ask for a summary of where we're at with this now, or does everyone really need to go back through 283 pages of discussion to find out whether to install a driver?

I've had the Z13 for five months now, during which time I've not had one update from Sony. I'm thinking about installing the graphics driver just for the heck of it, but I'm not after new problems. I know this seems a bit noobish, but believe it or not, I've been working with computers since punch cards and I'm kind of over tweaking for the sake of it.

Thanks guys.

 

I'm really interested in this because I don't want to modify the BIOS, but I need cuda 4 (and can't use optimus drivers 'cause I need HDMI too).
Could you please tell me wich package you used to do this procedure?And wich inf?
You just uninstalled everything, placed the 270 Display.Driver folder instead of the package original one and the reinstalled?

And now if you switch nothing happens unless you reboot right?

Thanks in advance

 

@sturmino I'll run some tests later and see what can be done with the VGA switching policy set to auto as it is in an unmodified BIOS.

I'll let you know what I find out

 

@Sturmino

Copy the contents of the displaydriver folder into the old one, overwriting the old versions, exept for the nvapi64.dl_ and displaydriver.nvi. Uninstall old driver and reinstall. Sign the two files and reboot.

I used the 2266 - 263.14 unsigned version, and the inf from the same package. All settings on the triangle switch work, but the switch will only happen when you reboot.
Nvidia control panel does not start, but cuda automatically uses all cores, so this is not an issue for me. You can probably use 32 bit version of control panel if you really want it since the 32 bit api is normal.
I repeated the setup with 270.61 and it works as well.

 

Thanks ComputerCowboy and trylle.

I can't test it right now because I can't risk instability in theese days, but will try soon.

 

ComputerCowboy, its awesome that you were able to cook up some nice 263 drivers setup that still supports hybrid functionality. Im a developer and hope somethig similar can be done with 270x drivers not requiring reboot.

Can you/we try something? By the way you said that you're waiting for the microsoft 270x drivers, what is the benefit behind it? It is less screwy than nvidias or because there is a chance it may support hybrid switch?

I bet some people can even transfer you some $$ paypal if you can cook 270x up with hybrid on-thefly support

 

I am NOT using hybrid drivers. I have the BIOS hack with the switching policy set to static. I am using 270.61 drivers with a simple INF hack. If I want stamina mode I must reboot the computer.

Why not MOD the BIOS?... you can always switch back to the original BIOS later. I have posted my BIOS files and some other good hacks on http://computercowboy.com

 

Does anybody have screen flickering with the latest nvidia drivers?

Yesterday I tried to install 270.61 drivers. Everything went fine, but with the latest driver the screen blinks time or two every couple of minutes. It was very annoying, so I had to revert to the old drivers. I have an old VGN-Z series laptop.

 

I haven't see update from microsoft for 270.xx.

 

Powerengineer
I have this issue, have old VGN-z model too and still waiting for someone to fix this one...

# upd 1
Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266
Still same flickering issue + heat and fan noise is very high

260.63 2020 by nautis are still the best drivers ever availible, except flickering :\
Can someone just make them work as they are and reduce flciker?
They're best availible for not heat too much and work without noise as well.

 

Are anybody experiencing Kernel / driver errors where the screen flickers, recovers with the new nVidia driver? I'm still using v188 that came with my Vaio but am a bit loathe to upgrade in the event I accidentally break anything.

 

You could try: http://forum.notebookreview.com/gam...izer-switch-get-most-out-your-video-card.html

Disable PowerMiser. I don't know if that application will still work with the latest NVIDIA ForceWare.

 

Is it just me or do the NV 263.14 with both the Intel 2266 and 2281 make everyone's computer run annoyingly hot?

 

i am not very sure about this, but i do realized a little bit warmer.
I am not using it under air conditioned room, and the fan sometimes spin up while i am watching hd movies.
I haven't try powermizer but i guess it will be ok since i haven't have any overheat issue.

 

Yes, except with Crysis 2 I never had any overheating problems.

 

260.63 2020 combination runs as stock sony drivers in term of heat, which is the best choise definately...but the flciker :\

 

That's exactly it. It was mentioned in this thread many times. I guess it should be included in the first post as well.

 

But brightness-controll is gone after installing the 260.63/2020 driver?

 

You can use registry fixes. I still working on my VGN-Z with drivers out of the first post and after thoose fixes everything is OK

 

Ok, the reg.file found in thread worked perfectly! Switching is working! Thank you!

Is there a fix for the missing brightness control in speed mode? Looked over the last 30 pages but found nothing...

 

Please find attached the brightness control fix.
With this fix Fn+key brightness still does not work, but you can control the brightness using win+X->"Display brightness" menu.

May be somebody can provide a normal fix.

(It is for VGN-Z)

 

Hey guys, my name is Rafael; I blog at Within Windows if that rings any bells. I'd like to provide signature support for your x64 drivers. I just need the person driving this effort to direct message or email me and we'll be on our way to signed drivers.

 

That is great news !!

@Andrew I'm sure would be interested.

 

Heck, I work for a Sony company an know people at Microsoft, I'll start asking around if need be.

Not sure who if any one person is "driving the effort", the starter of this subject is Nautis, but he hasn't posted on the subject in a while, doesn't seem to have posted in the last few months.

 

well I took over for a short while together with Andrew, but I have been busy and lately just disabled my Intel GPU so haven't done much hybrid stuff.

I know a few others also is helping out but..

 

hmm...
i might not need to sign the drivers after someone told me to use intel catalog file instead of nvidia.
thanks for the kind offer, i am sure some other will need it.

i am still waiting for microsoft answer for the hybrid graphic driver. once i see it and it contain the driver then i will try my best to modify the driver for vaio z. I am very busy now and may not be able to keep up with all of you.

 

i see an update for igp driver on intel website.

http://downloadcenter.intel.com/con...controllers&ProductProduct=Intel®+HD+Graphics