Sony Z11 - NVIDIA Optimus

Naw, the TDP is lower than the 480 and 295. The 580 is the card they should have come out with in Q1

 

Optimus_overlay-off: workaround to hide the NVidia Confidential overlay when using the internal LCD

UPDATED: Idontknow12's Optimus overlay-off fix provided a completely transparent disabling of the Optimus overlay. This solution mechanism based off the post below.

First workaround

I was playing Dirt2 using the Optimus internal LCD and really wanted the overlay to disappear. So while dirt2 was running, I alt-tabbed back to the desktop, fired up the HXD editor with the unique feature of being able to do in-memory editting. I selected Extras->Open RAM, opened dirt2_game.exe and searched for "NVidia Confidential", finding it exists as follows:

Code:

Offset(h) 00 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 0A 0B 0C 0D 0E 0F

12D75F20                       4F 50 54 69 4D 55 53 20 44         OPTiMUS D
12D75F30  45 4D 4F 4E 53 54 52 41 54 69 4F 4E 0A 4E 56 69  EMONSTRATiON.NVi
12D75F40  44 69 41 20 43 4F 4E 46 69 44 45 4E 54 69 41 4C  DiA CONFiDENTiAL
12D75F50  0A 4E 4F 54 20 46 4F 52 20 52 45 4C 45 41 53 45  .NOT FOR RELEASE
12D75F60  20 4F 52 20 44 69 53 54 52 69 42 55 54 69 4F 4E   OR DiSTRiBUTiON

I overwrote the string with zeroes (though only a zero replacing the 4F which starts the string OPTiMUS is necessary), did a save and voila, the overlay disappeared. Confirmation pics on the right. This worked well with Dirt2 which continues to run in the background when I ALT-TAB. I confirmed this solution also worked for FFXIV and NFS Shift when run in windowed mode. I could TAB in and out of the game as much as I wanted. This did not work for MafiaII unless I changed it to run in Windowed mode, ALT-TAB out, make the edit then ALT-TAB back to MafiaII. The overlay remained disabled if MafiaII was then changed back to fullscreen mode. However if I tabbed out of MafiaII then tabbed back in, the overlay was back. If the windowed mode was maintained then I could tab out and in to MafiaII without the overlay present.

 

Interesting finding !

 

+1 very good.

 

Here is a first try to use the finding of Nando4 about the nvidia confidential overlay.
This post is from Idontknow12 on laptopvideo2go forum ( link to the post)

On the way to removing this damn overlay ?

 

Wow.. you finally found it Nando! Good job mate.

 

At last! I've tried to figure out that this way, but didn't this with windowed mode

 

I want to try this but Nautis INF link isnt working... Can someone give me a working link?

 

Just Like to Say YESSS.
This works Very Well, I've only been doing research about external video cards for about a month now, and have only had my rig for a week. Shipped it all out to the desert, piece by piece.
You defiantly have to modify both dlls for it to work, system32 nvd3dumx.dll and sysWOW64 nvd3dum.dll. I had a the missing msvc100.dll issue so I copied it to the WOW64 Folder, as of now I don't think its needed anywhere else. I can't see any performance difference, or compatibility issues either.
2 thumbs up Idontknow12 - Nando4... you guys made this soldier really happy, just gotta get a 120/240 Hz monitor to unleash the true potential of Optimus. Currently running Hybrid, i3 2.4 3GB DDR3, GTS 450 OCed 850gpu ddr5 2000 via PM3N Running driver 266.56 modified w/Idontknow12 overlay fix!!

 

Great to hear your result. Agree, the overlay fix is a very nice piece of work.

Now your DIY VIDock setup is unique for 3 reasons:

- you have an i3. We have no i3 public experiences posted so far.
- you're using a mPCIe solution (PM3N). There's only a few of those.
- you're one of the few (apart from me) with the overlay fix in place. It's awesome

This unique setup deserves a place in the DIY ViDock Experiences thread. So could I ask you to post your full system details and at least 3dmark06 (+ RE5 if you can) benchmarks so can be linked off that thread's first post?

 

may i know what version of intel driver are you using?

yesterday i tested intel 2291 with nvidia 26731 modified inf resulting in:
first boot: bsod
second boot: error in cp
third boot: change from integrated dropdown box error

after that i give up with optimus...

 

i downloaded the signed version (VPCZ1 Hybrid graphic driver 26314 2281) from the link in your sig andrew and extracted installed on my recenly restored Vaio Z. I play World of Warcraft and i could not increase my gfx details higher than "fair" mode. after installing the drivers that was fixed but my vaio has suddenly rebooting and it takes about 3-5 times reboot to get the system p and running nothing happens when i am working on office apps web browsing watching videos etc its just that when i i tend to play WoW in heavy graphics vaio just crashes and shuts down.

can u help me with the prob i have vaio z (VPCZ126GG)
did i miss some step or do i need to download additional files for stable driver install ?

 

I just used the first string in the moddified Dlls to compile the new overlay fixed ones. The HD drivers were the latest about a month ago straight from intell site, but the driver info is included below for both Video Display drivers. I will be posting a 3DMARKS test and system setup when I have my results together.

- 266.58+ nando4's nvam.inf(64bit) W/ Overlayfix


System Information report written at: 03/09/11 07:39:30
System Name: LVLYKLE
[Display]

Item Value
Name NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DC4&SUBSYS_23601462&REV_A1\4&539EEA8&0&00E1
Adapter Type GeForce GTS 450, NVIDIA compatible
Adapter Description NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Adapter RAM 1.00 GB (1,073,741,824 bytes)
Installed Drivers nvd3dumx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvwgf2umx.dll,nvd3dum,nvwgf2um,nvwgf2um
Driver Version 8.17.12.6658
INF File oem17.inf (section078 section)
Color Planes Not Available
Color Table Entries Not Available
Resolution Not Available
Bits/Pixel Not Available
Memory Address 0xFC000000-0xFDFFFFFF
Memory Address 0xF0000000-0xF7FFFFFF
Memory Address 0xF8000000-0xFBFFFFFF
I/O Port 0x0000EF80-0x0000EFFF
IRQ Channel IRQ 17
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys (8.17.12.6658, 12.36 MB (12,961,640 bytes), 3/1/2011 12:34 PM)


Name Intel(R) HD Graphics
PNP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0046&SUBSYS_04871025&REV_02\3&11583659&0&10
Adapter Type Intel(R) HD Graphics (Core i3), Intel Corporation compatible
Adapter Description Intel(R) HD Graphics
Adapter RAM 1.25 GB (1,337,307,136 bytes)
Installed Drivers igdumd64.dll,igd10umd64.dll,igdumdx32,igd10umd32
Driver Version 8.15.10.2279
INF File oem9.inf (iILKM0 section)
Color Planes Not Available
Color Table Entries 4294967296
Resolution 1366 x 768 x 59 hertz
Bits/Pixel 32
Memory Address 0xB0000000-0xB03FFFFF
Memory Address 0xA0000000-0xFEBFFFFF
I/O Port 0x00003050-0x00003057
IRQ Channel IRQ 4294967294
I/O Port 0x000003B0-0x000003BB
I/O Port 0x000003C0-0x000003DF
Memory Address 0xA0000-0xBFFFF
Driver c:\windows\system32\drivers\igdkmd64.sys (8.15.10.2279, 11.69 MB (12,262,688 bytes), 1/7/2011 5:42 PM)

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/9/2011, 07:28:12
Machine name: LVLYKLE
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_rtm.101119-1850)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Packard Bell
System Model: EasyNote TK85
BIOS: InsydeH2O Version V1.14
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3 CPU M 370 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 3072MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 2806MB RAM
Page File: 1683MB used, 3927MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode

Games Tested On : Street Fighter 4 60 fps locked/ Resident Evil 5 40fps / FFXIV running well - I dont see any drop in perfomance after modded Dlls

I run it 24/7 for about a week now, have the 280W powersupply hooked up to a UPS, very stable, only droped connectivity for unknown reasons once, possibley due to power save mode functions.

 

This is very surprising...

I just tried 270.51 and i can see no more nvidia overlay.
my driver:
Intel 2203.
Nvidia 27051 beta for notebook with modification.

anyone tested the voltage usage?

edit:
my founding says nvidia card didn't poweroff properly.
WARNING: DO NOT ADD DeepIdleTimer INSIDE, YOU WILL END UP WITH BSOD

download the file below
DisplayDriver.nvi - the one controlling which file must be present upon installing.
nvmvsz.inf - this is the inf file, more information inside the inf itself.

for VGNZ user.
it is possible to port this to VGNZ, if you are interested please message below.

edit:
270.51 beta from Nvidia.

replace the DisplayDriver.nvi and copy nvmvsz.inf to Display.Driver folder.

 

Andrew,

I see thee inf, but where do I find the driver itself?

I exctract the driver and overwrite the old inf with this one.. correct?

Huge thanks in advance!

 

270.51 beta from Nvidia.

download and replace the 2 file i provided.

 

I have been trying the 270.51 beta for past few days for optimus and yes it doesn't power off NVIDIA. I just added support for my hardware id in the NVAM.inf and it worked fine. I have been looking into any registry settings which would enable complete power off. Do you have any insight which I could use to find more about it?

Edit: I am using Intel HD graphics 2321.

 

I deleted all drivers, updated to Intel Version 2321, extracted the nvidia drivers, put the two modded files in the display folder (overwrote one), installed, but the nvidia driver won't work after reboot. In the device manger, it shows the 330m but has an error. Also, I noticed it did not install any nvidia software or settings.

Any thoughts?

 

Hold on, Andrew Intel version? You are supposed to download Intel driver from Intel site. Do not mod thus, and download nvidia with the link I provided and mod it with my file.

 

I only have idea...

Optimus technology doesn't turn Nvidia card off but downclock it. So we can underclock it manually? Use powermizer technology? Make our own program to downclock it?

 

I caught that in my post. I went to Intels site and downloaded 2321.

This is the error I see for the 330M under device manager.

"Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)"

Thanks for your help!

 

I am getting exactly the same problem. I have the VPC-Z13V9E if that makes any difference.

Edit:
I've tried it with both Intel 2321 and Intel 2266 and in both cases I get "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)" against the 330M device, so I'm pretty sure it's not an incompatibility with the Intel drivers. Seems to be purely an NVIDIA driver problem.

Does anyone have any ideas on something else I could try?

 

Downloaded the 2321 Intel Drivers from Intel site, 270.51 Beta from nVidia, replaced the files with Andrew's, installed everything and it's working! Thanks a lot Andrew!

I tried Crysis 2 and there's a big improvement (I didn't check the fps but it's noticeable), when browsing the notification icon says that the nVidia card is off, and seems so.
I've 39% battery left right now and says I've still 1h50m with Wi-fi turned on and 43% backlight (balanced mode).

P.S. Before installing the new drivers I uninstalled only the Intel drivers, and left the nVidia ones there, so the nVidia installer did the rest. Hope it can help.

 

Can I ask what version you had on before? Was it one of the previous Optimus versions or one of the hybrid ones? I'm wondering if there is a file left over from previous installs for you lucky people with it working

 

I had the hybrid Nvidia 26314 - Intel 2266 for VPCZ1, the old un-signed ones.

 

Thanks. I had Andrew's 26314-2266 drivers too but the signed ones. I'm a bit confused about the signing issues and mentions of "test mode". When I install the 270.51 beta it does warn me that they are unsigned but it does still let me install them. Is there anything else I need to do? What does the "test mode" do? Thanks in advance for any help!

 

For installing the Optimus drivers I didn't do anything, just pressed "Yes" and "Next". The test mode is used to install unsigned driver, but I didn't enable it for installing the Optimus. Anyway I'm no expert, I just followed the instructions found in these topics.

Now I found a little issue with the Optimus drivers: I get a black screen (seems the laptop is frozen) if I start Windows with a VGA external monitor plugged in.
If I plug it afterward it works fine except that I can't change the settings nor the resolution (the menus closes themselves right after I open them).

 

Tried this out and i'm impressed how well it works. Although i had the same issue as above (black screen) and i'm trying to figure out how to get HDMI output to work (since that needs a forced nvidia on).

edit//
and it seems power usage doesn't go down. Power usage averages at about 22watt. With normal hybrid drivers i get about ~10 - 14watt usage, which clearly give me (way) more battery life, so i'm going back to hybrids for now.

The overall usage of it is great. overlay is gone, switching itself works good also, only the power usage dissapoints me.

 

At least I am not alone. I am running a Z1390X 2.8, 4gb, 256,

 

Yes, same problem, if I (or someone else more expert than me) don't find a workaround I'll have to go back to the hybrid driver.

 

For all,

Optimus is not part of Hybrid graphic. So you must uninstall Nvidia hybrid graphic driver first. Then install Intel Graphic driver, then Nvidia 270.51 beta with my files.

The File attached below included VGNZ, but i don't really think it will work, so please try and don't forget to feedback.

Known Issues:
-Nvidia card never go into low power mode.
-HDMI never works, i hope i can fix it, since there are something inside intel inf.

 

Probably I'm doing something wrong, but looks like installing the Optimus totally screwed up my HDMI. I tried reinstalling the 263.14 signed and even the 263.09 unsigned (everytime unistalling everything, safe-mode, driver sweeper, ecc.), but still no HDMI! Even the dedicated menu from the nVidia control panel disappeared. Now I will try with the hacked BIOS.

UPDATE: BIOS hacked, installed the latest official nVidia driver and still no HDMI output! Reverted the video to auto, reinstalled the original Sony driver and still nothing! Everything else is working fine: brightness, switch, auto, ecc. but no HDMI. I'll try reinstalling the Optimus since the HDMI stopped working since I installed them. Any help would be apperciated, thank you!

 

Hmm works fine here, tried them out aswell.

 

Are you only trying HDMI on one TV, maybe try a different TV or Projector. To me it sounds like you have a hardware issue, broken HDMI or weird conflict with a display.

 

Unfortunatly I have no other HDTV to try, but before installing Optimus it was working fine (it means two days ago)!

The weird thing is that I have no more HDMI options in the nVidia control panel, wich makes me think of something missing in the driver or somewhere else. Also, when I connect the HDMI cable the monitor turns black, so it does recognize the HDMI, but I can't see anything on the TV. The TV is fine since with another laptop works perfectly.

 

Try pressing Windowsbutton+P, maybe you can switch there.

 

Nope, it doesen't work. But i can hear the sounds coming out from the TV's speakers, so something's working. I just have no video and no HDCP options in the panel.

 

try re-installing windows, that fixes all sorts of crap like this

Or at least do a driver sweep, there are programs that clean up leftovers, never used one, but it might be worth a try

 

Windows updated to the service pack 1 and magically the windows+P button worked! Thanks everyone, at least now I have the advanced BIOS options.

 

has anyone tested if both cards are actually working? One possible test is to attach two external displays (HDMI + VGA) and see if all three displays work.

 

So can you confirm that there was no physical damage to the card from the Optimus drivers?

 

Yes I have tested every possible combination, it DOES NOT WORK.

You can run the Latop LCD plus HDMI or Laptop LCD plus VGA.
If you want more than one external monitor there are three and a half options

1) DisplayLink USB adapter (many makes and models, even some monitors)
2) ViDock
2.1) DIY ViDock
3) Matrox DualHead or TripleHead 2 Go.

 

I can't confirm since I haven't check carefully, but I use the laptop every day and no problem so far, even playing demanding games on HDTV (I switched back to 263.14 - 2666).

Keep in mind that with Optimus the HDMI doesen't work. Anyway for what I've seen both video cards were working with Optimus.

 

Yeah optimus is great. Upgraded to the latest intel (2345 build) with nvidia 270.61 and it's working great. Even the power usage of the nvidia GPU seems to scale down (aka it's now turning off). Only issue is indeed hdmi.

As the ''set physx config'' window says, both the sony lcd and my dell 2407wfp are connected to intel graphics card. And i haven't found a way to force hdmi/dvi through the nvidia card .

 

I installed the optimus driver (270.51 beta). It seems that the light sensor does not work.

And how to mod the .inf for the 270.61 driver?

 

Ah thanks for telling, indeed light sensor for the display doesn't work. The keyboard backlight does tho .. hmm. Dont use automatic brightness myself, so didn't really noticed it.

 

Does the new official 270.61 fix the HDMI issue? Also, does someone (ComputerCowboy? ) have the modified INF for these drivers to install with the hacked BIOS?

 

No discovered a few issues
- HDMI still linked to Intel HD (Vaio Z needs HDMI on NVIDIA)
- Black screen when booting with power plugged in

Things that do work
- optimus itself
- nvidia card turns off (so you should get similar battery times)
- vga out.

 

I found in the beta drivers that there are many profiles or sections that aren't used or (sections0xx) I modified the beta and the whql drivers to work for optimus using section91. Below are the exact locations that you would have to paste your hardware ID. I based the reasoning for using section091 based on the registry keys it includes activating optimus, my presumptions were correct. 100% 270 drivers are much better than modified dlls for overlay fix on the 266 drivers, as the overlay fix caused instability for directx show in dxdiag to crash and nvidia tools after flipping threw options to crash and 3DMarks06 to Crash when changing between Tests for myself. While games still ran great with the 266 drivers, the 270 drivers offered smoother game play and stability in FFXIV and COD4, as well as no more crashing or instability in every thing that I listed above, I know that I have read that many people had issues with 3Dmarks06 crashing that had the same modified drivers.

Any one should be able to use section091 for activating optimus on their system in the 270 drivers. If you have a GTS 450 than use my settings below and just remove the &SUBSYS_23601462 ie.
%NVIDIA_DEV.0DC4.01% = section091, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_0DC4 As this will allow all models with the hardware code starting with 0DC4

These Settings go in the NVAM.ini file and this is the only file that needs modifying not all the inis as posted many pages ago. The search and replace method doesn't work ether for the fact that you may or may not be linking your hardware ID with a optimus optimized section. So if you tried that and got the drivers to work and your performance sucked, that's why.

Just Search For the [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0] then at the bottom of the list paste the Hardware Code for your system of course it cant be directly pasted, look at the format mine is in and try to fill in the difference, or read the inf mod guide on the forums.

6.0 is for vista 6.1 is for win7, The [Strings] is at the bottom of the inf file, just make a space, then paste the code.
Then your good to save it and run setup.

Also as a note, the Beta 270.51 and WHQL 270.61 there are hardly any differences in the inf structure other than the version change. So I just copied over the same exact configuration from the beta inf. In turn if you have a modified inf file for the beta you can search for your hardware code, copy it, you can see where it needs to be placed in the WHQL and paste it in.

Your hardware ID is in the properties in device manager under video adapters, your video card.
I would suggest for any one that likes to stay current on the releases that you read the INF editing guide. When you understand it you'll see the Lady in the Red Dress, and you'll be like damn your fine, cuss that is how I felt after getting 270 beta to work correctly only 2 days after its release. Huge improvement. For that I have to say sorry for not shearing earlier I've been busy with work. But I'm glad you guys figured most of the details. Tons of great modders out there, Props to all of you, without the community I wouldn't know anything.
Section091 isn't the only section that is linked to a optimus setup, just the one I chose as the registry keys all checked out for what was needed. I did no further testing, too satisfied with the results to complain.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Sections to apply code to the NVAM.ini file for your card to work with optimus enabled. example given is for my MSI GTS 450 OC
Change the Hardware code to match your card to work properly then paste in the corrected code in the proper locations. Highlighted Selections is what needs to match your Hardware ID, To be honest I have no clue what the .01% is for but there is only a possibility of .01% .02% .03% .04% .05% .06% .07% .08% .09% .10%. so start with .01% or look up the hardware code for your hardware in a driver that is made for your video card or try all of them.
*If someone could explain this part, I would I'd be glad to know, thanks*

[Manufacturer]

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.0]
%NVIDIA_DEV. 0DC4.01% = section091, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_ 0DC4&SUBSYS_23601462


[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV. 0DC4.01% = section091, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_ 0DC4&SUBSYS_23601462


[Strings]
NVIDIA_DEV. 0DC4.01 = " NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450"

Description for card can technically be anything. = "Optimus GTS 450"

 

Here are the modded files for 270.61 WHQL. Just copy provided files in your \Display.Driver directory replacing the NVI file. Little error in Andrew08's 270.51 beta inf corrected (Line 692), despite that, no significant changes were needed.

Props as listed in .inf header.

Works great here.

• GT330M properly downclocks to 135MHz when not used (see pics below)
• CUDA etc works fine
• Performance and Power Consumption fine
• but HDMI - as already mentioned by hxkclan and just like in 270.51 release - doesn't work.

Hope we'll find a fix someday, Optimus uses dGPU for rendering and copies to IGP's framebuffer, but unfortunately, VPC-Z's IGP is not connected to HDMI - simple reason it just shows black screen. Fortunately, a monitor connected to HDMI shows up in device manager, so perhaps we might be lucky enough to find a fix sooner or later.

GT330M not in use - idling @135MHz - Laptop draws 19W (wireless off, full brightness):


GT330M activated by Badaboom - GPU idling @600MHz (OC'ed) - Laptop draws 25W (wireless off, full brightness):


Hxkclan's reported issue

can't be reproduced here, bootup with AC plugged in works without flaws.

Please report back issues and experiences. IMO, except HDMI issue, great driver so far.