My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

No. That one is for the nVidia SLI (where both graphics adapters are nVidia). The one we want is nvbridge_int.kmd or nvbridge_int.km_ (the int stands for Intel).

 

Welcome back Nautis!

 

Thanks Andrew. Fantastic work by the way. I of course am going to have some questions for you.

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I am currently taking a look at how different the switchable graphics implementation is on my gfs Vaio SC. See if they have improved anything we can "borrow". Might start up a "Discoveries on Vaio S's Switchable Graphics" thread.

 

With external monitor no problem but with notebook monitor a kind of blink appear. So I will install again the last original one.

 

you can just pm me.
currently i am searching for newer hybrid graphic files.

can anyone confirm that you can see Intel HD graphic in VAIO S?
Thanks.

 

I will indeed PM you. I will help in the search when I can.

Early investigating into the Vaio SA/SB/SC switchable graphics lead me to believe they will be running into the same issues we have with updating the graphics drivers. ATIs approach seems very similar to Nvidias, combined driver and all.

The Intel driver portion of the Vaio SA/SB/SC switchable graphics is version 2291. For the most part it the Intel portion looks similar to what installs on our Zs.

 

Great that you are getting into all this again. Do keep the rest of us appraised from time to time of the progress. As mentioned previously, I'm ready and willing to help out with testing.

 

Hi Andrew,

First of all WOW! You're a legend!
I just bought this laptop and found out the old graphics driver problem.
I am just wondering - did you ever get to stage2 : HP Pavilion DM3 (1 model) ?
If not.. is there anyway I can modify what you've done to make it work?

Thanks

-fresh

 

Hello Andrew08,
My NB is VGNZ36GD, here what i've done:

I've installed 263.08 (8.17.12.6308)-1994 (8.15.10.1994) twice, part of intel works well, part of 9300 cause screen flashing many times, i've changed the frequence of screen between 60hz and 59 but made no difference. Specialy on closing and opening programme windows, when the window fade away, the screen flash.

Then i've tried 263.08-2020, as you say it's a beta version, i've follow your instrucion, and the light "speed" turn on after installation, then i reboot it, and both lights turn off, that means i've never make it, this one did't work on mine.

Then i try Nautis' 260.63 (8.17.12.6063)-2020, there are two problems; intel driver 2020 make flash unstable in IE9, it is said that FLASH plugin only mathe the latest INTEL driver, and the switch often make no responds, only afer reboot i can switch.

So, i have no choice but remain the official driver.
Thank you so much!

 

Hey guys.. Mega noob here,

As mentioned previously, I just bought a HP DV3 with intel 4500 and Nvidia G 105 M Hybrid Graphics and no way of installing the newest driver.

I just found another thread about nvidia laptop drivers.

ForceWare Updater's Quickstart Guide - LaptopVideo2Go Forums

Would it work if I do this to the .inf?

 

very busy atm, i may not able to finish it.

i can't believe 263.08 -1994 is not stable, i will try lowering intel version and see what will happen.

hybrid graphic can't use normal graphic driver, if you do so you will lose the ability to change to intel.

 

Intel drivers before 1994 seems to provide nothing amazing, i mean that thoese version after 2020 begin to support hardware acceleration in IE9, but 2020 is not able to match FLASH plugin according to the offcial announce of ADOBE, it would be better to give up 2020 on our OLD machine, go for latest version or stay with the olders, oh, what a pity.

 

The flashing/flickering on VGN-Z is most likely due to powermizer throttling. Basically for some reason when the clock adjusts it causes flickering on screen. You can disable powermizer or set it to static using Powermizer Manager (great application). Please beware and watch your heat, since the clock is not down throttling it can cause excessive heat. If you use these drivers or powermizer manager you are doing so at your own risk.

It is difficult because we are really at the mercy of both Intel and Nvidia and neither will officially support Hybrid(Switchable) Graphics. The most we can really do is a lot of trial and error with combining different driver sets and adjusting settings. If either Nvidia or Intel start removing support for Hybrid(Switchable) Graphics or our specific GPUs we are pretty much dead in the water.

The VGN-Z has been extremely finicky when it comes to newer drivers for some reason. Intels drivers pretty much stopped working after 2020 and on the Nvidia side it has been very hit or miss.

Since Optimus was released it has been a while since any new official Hybrid Graphics drivers have been released. Official HG drivers are usually used as a guide for any new changes that there may be. They also are a good guide for whether or not Hybrid(Switchable) Graphics support is still being maintained. (Nvidia and Intel tend to listen more to notebook manufacturers and distributers than users modding their work.)

--

Andrew, I will try to pick back up and help where I can (when I have extra time.) You have done some awesome work and I know how time consuming and tiring it can be. Glad you and others have picked up when I dropped the ball, truly amazing work everyone.
I had tried to take on too much and let this and other projects consume too much of my time and it had a bit of a negative impact in my life. In the middle of that I some how managed to fry my motherboard and even a replacement for my VGN-Z. (I probably should have just bought a VPC-Z1# instead.) Things are a bit more on track for the time being. Got the girlfriend a Vaio SC and its ATI/Intel switchable graphics have helped motivate me to get back into things.

 

Thanks for your patient explanation, it seems that i've fixed the screen flashing problem with Andrew08's NVIDIA 26308 - Intel 1994rev3, it's more likely concerning the frequence of screen than power management.

As I've reported, I tried to change the frequence between 60hz and 59hz by adding one coustomed resolution in Nvidia settings, there are 2 types of mode, I don't know what its name in english cauz I don't have English language pack for WIN7, one of them seems to permit only 60hz, the other permit 59hz, but i dont realize that until now.

It means that we have to apply 59hz with the special mode which is easy to be find out in the setting section of resolution, thus no more screen flash!

Now, enjoying Andrew08 works, go on dicover it.

 

Glad to hear you figured it out. Sounds similar to the 59hz bug (non-bug) with Nvidia drivers.

--

EDIT: Since I now have a test package up for the Vaio SA/SB/SC series, I am going to start banging away again at drivers for my VGN-Z (see if we can get something a little more updated working.) I wonder if since the Radeon/Intel switchable graphics stuff is so similar to the Nvidia/Intel of the Z if there is some trick we can use from the Intel portion of the Radeon/Intel drivers.

 

o0lx0o
Amayzing!!!!
Thank you so much for this, saved my day!
Nautis
Now i'm on your 260.63 x 2020, which i think is best one, but i've found that after switching from nvidia to intel and back - nvidia works, but not 'in full', after this the right click on desktop have no nvidia control panel, and GPU-Z shows intel card first...which is definately not good sign.
I was also using the 1.reg 'enable gold on hybrid' setting in registry..

Is there any chance to fix it with this drivers?
Or should i move on Andrew's 263 again? But i feel that they heat and noise harder than 260..

 

I doubt there will be any way to fix that issue on that specific version Failure. I fear we may be reaching the end of even being able to use new Nvidia and possibly even new Intel drivers. The last couple releases on windows catalog have been absent the nvbridge_int.kmd file and I fear that Nvidia may be looking at removing hybrid graphics support from newer drivers altogether. Hope that is not the case.

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EDIT: Currently testing 275.50 on the VGN-Z. Switching seems not to work right now but the light comes on next to it so it may be a settings issue. EDIT3: Switching seems to work through taskbar application (very slowly) but not physical switch.

EDIT2: Hmm
NV_COPROC_FLAGS_IGPU_MODE_ONLY
NV_COPROC_FLAGS_DGPU_MODE_ONLY
NV_COPROC_FLAGS_FORCE_OPTIMUS
NV_COPROC_FLAGS_FORCE_GPU_SWITCH_AVAILABLE
Wonder if this means there is a way to force iGPU or dGPU on optimus.

 

Nautis
Well...I guess than i totally don't understand what's going on, coz i have had this drivers installed, and the ONLY thing i have done is made a custom 59hz option through control panel...After this i've seen what i have said about...
Now i clean install Win 7 x64 SP1 and what i have is...Same issue O_O
Just don't get why.
There are totally no chance to fix this drivers so they could already been installed with 60hz properly...?
Strange thing is that Andrew's 263 behave same!
And i have previously used this two drivers with totally no problems...

Please explain was that, if you can!
I really need to understand what the hell is going on with my vaio this time..

P.S. It's not cool about nvidia side...But we must try to walk out with what we have...And your + Andrews latest drivers work good for VGN-Z, but what have just occured with mine...i don't understand now

#edit
WHOA!
Now i have tryed all latest drivers also on win 7 x64 without SP1 - they all got this same issue O_O
I really don't get what in the hell have happened...Maybe i'm installing something not right, but i have done this 1000000 of time already before...

#edit 2
Now i'm really SHOCKED! Clean installed win7 x64 with official 187.35 x 1872 and they behave same!!
Really need help here now
It's just unimaginable for me how clean installed official drivers could do something like this...

 

Can you post a new driver for 32bit win7?(Vgn-z)
Thanks a lot!

 

er.. alphabetically?

General advice while changing drivers:
1. uninstall existing drivers and reboot until device manager shows both graphics adapters as VGA compatible (ie. generic).

2. disconnect from the internet while doing this or Windows will download drivers for you from Windows Update.

3. Run DriverSweeper or NFR and clean your system to get rid of any nVidia driver files that might still be lurking around in your system. The installer has to copy new files, and might not overwrite some of the existing files, resulting in a big mess. Your control panel issues are likely to be related to this.

For your particular complaint, try shutting down instead of restarting and wait a few seconds before switching ON again.

More extreme version of above: shut down, disconnect the power adapter, remove the battery, wait 30 minutes, then put the battery back, connect the adapter and start again.

Best of luck.

 

anytimer
Read my next post, even clean windows installation haven't fix this, then reinstalling ain't matter..

And what's it for? O_O

 

There is a possibility that the hardware is 'remembering' some incorrect setting by retaining the charge at various nodes in the circuitry. The procedure outlined above gives these charges time to decay. It has worked for me in the past. The one time I ignored it I ended up looking stupid, as when the laptop was powered on at the service center, the fault condition had vanished. This suggests that waiting a few hours might be beneficial.

Note: this will erase all your BIOS settings, so be prepared to change them back. Most people use default BIOS settings, but some don't.

 

anytimer
wow...
I'll give it a try than, but now it sounds really like unbelievable thing!

But this words have made my believe again!

Hope it will work

 

Sadly no
It was not case...

Any other thoughts?

 

I'm planning to do a fresh install of windows and i just want to know if I can install the Nvidia driver directly from the official site or I have to install the hacked version of the driver (i'm talking about 175v) I already have advance BIOS

 

Download the ones on Computer Cowboy website.

 

Yes that's the one that i had used last time i changed the OS and i think that if there aren't any new improvements i will use the same

 

Nautis, Andrew, where are you?
I got a real problem here, please help!
Can't use my vaio for month already!

Before i uninstall previous Windows 7 x64 SP1 (where all custom drivers work pretty good, but some may heat, some flick etc) i was using all the drivers / utilites provided for Z5 here VAIO : Sony Europe, and also R4044M3 bios from VGN-Z3.

This time when i have clean install same Win 7 x64 SP1 - have none drivers from 1st post work properly (even the official ones). Each time when i have test new driver from 1st post i clean install Win 7 again with format C, so test was 'fair enough'...

Next i was trying to do exactly same procedure with each driver, but also i add this guide from here, and follow it step by step http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/431357-guide-installing-w7-64-vaio-vgn-z.html each time i have reinstall Win 7 clean, than use this guide, then try out each driver from 1st post - result same.

Then i have try same stuff with VGN-Z3 drivers VAIO : Sony Europe
I was trying different bios R2170M3 / R4044M3 and they have same result.

What i got on this screenshoots here represents how latest official drivers behave for me now... (Boot up with speed)

Speed

Here first it show intel card, which is not good, i have switch this tab to show what's up with nvidia here...And it seems that there are a problem, that it doesn't have BIOS version at all...Is it normal?
If not, maybe someone who have VGN-Z vrn11 could upload bios from 9300MG S to techpowerup?

Switched to stamina

There are no nvidia card in manager, and also non in GPU-Z, and no memory freqency on intel...i don't remember clearly, but is it all ok or no?
As i remember no.

Please help me guys!

 

My laptop is VAIO VGN-Z21VN/X. I have just switched from Vista to Win7 Pro 64-bit because it was available with a corporate licence.
nVidia GeForce 9300M GS card could not be identified by Win7 at all.
I was not sure which community driver I should use because it looks like I do have a hard time identifying which Intel card I have - 2020 or 1994.. However, the only driver I managed to install was
VGNZ Hybrid graphic driver "VGNZ Nvidia 26308 - Intel 1994 signed
Applied reg. file for VGNZ. Now nVIDIA card seems to work, but graphics switch speed-stamina doesn't function without reboot. Also, the screen often flickers - every 20-30 seconds, which is quite annoying.

I was just wondering if I installed the correct driver or there are any solutions to the problems with flickering/live graphics switch?

 

Hello, is there any way to turn off this hybrid-switch icon on system tray? Possibly a registry modification?

I'm using "Always show all icons and notifications on the taskbar" so don't suggest the classic method please.

Thanks in advance.

 

Ok, now for NO reason, i have installed somehow again Nvidia 26308 - Intel 1994 rev3 /
No reason, just to try it i have installed it for 100 time - and now it works...

Nvidia shows 1stly only on older GPU-Z , like 0.4.2 / that's why i was confused, they just behave different..

BUT i got a question still, is it ok that no bios appears in nvidia at GPU-Z?

Now the problem is that if i make any custom resolution with 59Hz to reduce flicker - games doesn't seen this...
So this isn't fix, well...it's only fix for desktop and so, but not fullscreen games :\

 

Thanks for posting instructions on installing alternate hybrid graphics drivers for a Sony Vaio ZPCZ1. I am now successfully running CUDA 3.2!

Any chance someone can perform a similar miracle with the GeForce driver updated to support CUDA 4 (i.e. NVidia driver 275.33)?

Thanks again.

 

To the best of my knowledge, at the present time you have two choices if you want to run 275.33 or later:

1. Run in Optimus mode and learn to live with the unresolved issues like increased power consumption.

2. Hack the BIOS to get the advanced menu, change the VGA switching policy to static, then install the regular drivers (after modding the inf, of course). The downside is: you have to reboot every time you want to change the graphics mode.

 

f'(%'($&%%&&%!
I've just had plenty of "fun" time recovering from boot BSODs :-(

Of course, great thanks to you for making fresh driver mixtures, but why do you post misleading information?
Seems like drivers in the header are either not signed or the installation sequence is wrong.

On the other hand, it is not written, can I return back from test mode after signing unsigned driver? Now, I am not sure in anything written here, and too sad, instructions here are not well detailed.

 

1. uninstall means just that. Unless you have two VGA compatible adapters in device manager (with one showing an exclamation mark indicating that it has a problem), you haven't done it right.

Tip: disconnect from the internet while doing this, or Windows wll try to get a driver from Windows Update.

Another tip: use driversweeper or nfr to clean up any leftover nVidia files, or the nVidia control panel won't install properly.

2. driver is signed; the driver inf isn't. You'll get a warning about unsugned driver. Install anyway.

Are you using a VGN or VPC?

 

Hello every-one. First of all, thanks for the great job you do with hybrid graphics. I have a question, perhaps a noob one, but whatever. On the Intel website, we can found 15.17.17.2413 driver ( http://downloadcenter.intel.com/Det...el®+4+Series+Express+Chipset+Family&lang=eng).

But, if I look to the first page of this post, the newer is 8.15.10.2020. There a huge step between 8.15 and 15.17 ! Perhaps it's Intel numerotation. I would like to understand. Is theses drivers incompatible with hybrid technology ?

anyway, I continue to watch this topic with interest!

 

For hybrid drivers, there is an essential file nvbridge_int.kmd that has to be able to talk to both the Intel and nVidia display adapters. Therein lies the root of the problem. Official support for the hybrid graphics technology has been dropped - everyone has moved on to Optimus - so the last drivers that work are the ones listed in the first post (2266 for the VPCZ1 series and 2020 for the older VGNZ).

Who knows, maybe when Windows 8 comes along we'll get some newer drivers as they will want to support as many kinds of hardware as they can, but until then this is the best we've got.

 

I am not sure the issue is the nvbridge_int.kmd file as much as it might be the vbios on the Intel side. (Just a hunch.)

Having a whole bunch of stuff not working well for me at the moment: Vaio Z drivers, Vaio SA/SB/SC drivers, etc.

--
For anyone wondering, It appears the new Z21 uses a similar driver scheme to the Vaio SA/SB/SC. Meaning once again with the wonderful proprietary integrated drivers. Still surprised they didn't go with Optimus as this is one of the main issues addressed. One other fun thing to note is that in comparing the SA and Z21 drivers I noticed the following:

VAIO SA/SB/SC DRIVERS:
"AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6730M" = ati2mtag_Vancouver_PXAI, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6740&SUBSYS_9085104D
"AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6730M " = ati2mtag_Vancouver_PXAI, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6740&SUBSYS_9084104D

VAIO Z21 DRIVERS:
"AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6650M" = ati2mtag_Vancouver_PXAI, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6740&SUBSYS_9085104D
"AMD Radeon(TM) HD 6650M " = ati2mtag_Vancouver_PXAI, PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_6740&SUBSYS_9084104D

You will notice that the hardware id is the same on both while the older SA/SB/SC driver set it is designated 6730M and the newer Z21 set it is 6650M. Struck me as a bit strange. I know in following the Z21 thread the early models were identifying the ATI part as 6730M. So is it a downclocked 6730M? Just mislabeled, or something else entirely?

 

If you look at notebookcheck data for both cards, it seems that 6650M is actually the same that 6730M except for core, shader and memory speed.

It seems that 6750M and 6770M share exactly the same story with GDDR5 instead of DDR3...

 

Does anyone have the modded .inf (or modded driver, better ) for the nVidia Verde 280.26 driver? I have the hacked BIOS and static VGA.

Thanks in advance.

 

http://forum.notebookreview.com/sony/602497-latest-vpc-z1-330m-drivers-bios-hack-people.html

 

Thank you, I totally missed out that post!

 

Either the pre-packed drivers or the patch program will provide you with the same end result. The good thing about the patch is that it should work for future releases, so you won't have to wait for me to patch and pack the next nVidia driver when it comes out.

 

Hi Everybody

Im new here and have been looking all over the web for an article like this.
I have a 9100M G and 9600M GS Hybrid solution and no drivers for it.
Are there drivers that work for this?


9100M G
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_086E&SUBSYS_90701071&REV_B1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_086E&SUBSYS_90701071

9600M GS
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0648&SUBSYS_90701071&REV_A1
PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0648&SUBSYS_90701071

Thanks for all the hard work that is put into this!
Kind regards
Inreality

 

What devices are these?

 

Thank you for that information. I´ve the new z21 for just a couple of days and the first problems with the intel/ati driver. minecraft can´t start as missing the open gl acceleration! i´m not shure if i can update the intel part without loosing functionality, sony is the only way to get a fixed driver set...

 

^
If I am not mistaken I think SA/SB/SC users are also complaining of OpenGL issues. There is mention of an opengl proxy in the inf "to be applied" or something along those lines. (Im guessing on what I read since its been a while since I last looked at it.) I too am dissapointed with the inclusion of a propritary driver set. These companies seem set on proving Microsoft right when they said that hybrid gpu setups are "unstable and provide a poor user experience".

BTW, I already have a package put together for the Z2 with the latest ATI (11.8) and Intel (2361) drivers. (Untested & requires all that testing/signing junk though.)

 

^^ For my SC, AMD GPU doesn't seem to have issues in OpenGL. Just the Intel IGP.

EDIT: also, the Intel IGP drivers seem to fail at a few other things, like most of the lighting in Left4Dead.

 

That was it, OGL on Intel. Thanks. (I think I am losing my mind sometimes.)

Left4Dead has known lighting issues with certian versions of the Intel drivers.

EDIT: More on ATIs switchable graphics. My assumptions are as follows:
The Vaio SA/SB/SC uses a mux like the older Vaio Zs (VPC-Z1 and VGN-Z). (This is evident by the screen flicker when switched.)
The Vaio Z2 uses ATIs muxless design similar to Optimus. (IGP framebuffer, yadda yadda.)

EDIT: Well this might not be good news: "With AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics technology, full enablement of all discrete graphics video and display features may not be supported on all systems (e.g. OpenGL applications will run on the integrated GPU or the APU as the case may be). Always check with your system manufacturer for specific mode capabilities and supported technologies." - ATI Dynamic Switchable Graphics Technology

--

EDIT: Think I figured out how to allow NVIDIA Installer 2 to work with INF subdirectories. This should allow for a more unified driver package in the future. It means different versions of files can be included in the same package. This can be normally done just thought the INF but NVIDIA Installer 2 wouldnt detect the files in the subdirectory and would error out. The outcome will hopefully eliminate the need for seperate driver packages with different Intel driver versions. Now if we could only get fixes so we dont have to use different Intel drivers depending on the model.

 

It seems that you are well ahead of me on knowledge of such things, and option #2 (hacking the BIOS etc.) definitely seems beyond what I am ready for at the moment.

However, Option #1 sounds interesting as I am willing to sacrifice mode switching all together if I can get the NVidia card to run full time to support CUDA 4.0 operation.

Any chance you can provide me with a bit more detail about how to get to Optimus mode? I have not not had luck so far trying to directly install updated NVidia drivers, so any help you can provide would be appreciated.