Thinkpads Forum

I have found out how to use switchable graphics with the built-in screen on my W500. My problem is that I have a DVI external monitor connected to the Advanced Mini-dock. When I set the BIOS for switching, I cannot get the DVI monitor to display when docked. I must go into the BIOS and change the GRAPHIC DEVICE to Discrete, re-boot and then change the BOOT DISPLAY to DVI. You can't change them both in the same session. Then when I want to use it off the dock I must change the BIOS again to enable switchable and the BOOT DISPLAY to Internal. Has anyone figured out how to do this automatically. The constant changing of the BIOS really dimishes the value of this feature.

silly question, but have you check your display settings on the laptop to make sure the correct display is active when using the DVI monitor?

I have a mini dock with the W500 and I leave the bios in switchable mode and am able to use dual monitors, one vga and one dvi, with the ATI graphics. When I want to switch and you can only do that when its undocked, I left click the power icon and select energy saving.

hope this helps.

Thanks for your response. My problem is that when I set the BIOS to switchable it will not allow me to boot to the DVI monitor when docked. I must change it to discrete to use the DVI. I'm curious what your BIOS settings are. Also you say you have dual monitors. Do you mean you have 2 external monitors? I'm pretty sure I could boot to a VGA external monitor but I have a DVI.

Yes, I am using dual monitors with the mini dock. I have my bios set to switchable. Let me know what other settings you need. Are you using the ATI graphics or the Intel? Mine is set for ATI. Hope this helps.