Switchable graphics on w500[SOLVED]

[ebp]

Hi

Some time ago i installed Windows 7 rc, i had some problems with the switchable graphics, but eventually i got it working by following a guide. Now i have installed RTM using a clean install, but i have forgot how i fixed the graphics and i can't find the guide. I hope you can help me find it

[Wendy]

I had been frustrated by this with the RC & gave up...I couldn't even get the ATI drivers to work. After installing the RTM, I was able to get the discrete graphics to work only by changing the settings in the bios to discrete and turning off the switchable. If you can get this to work I'd like to know how. I use dual monitors and they refuse to work with the intel drivers so its discrete all the way. Not a big deal since I'm docked most of the time anyway and never far from a power source.

I am also having an issue with the on screen hot key display which won't load. My mute button doesn't work although the up and down do. But when I'm docked the mute button on the keyboard works (no onscreen tho). Go figure.

[WilsonF]

On my T500 Switchable with Win 7 x64 RTM, I have had no problem. I had the Intel display on during setup, then installed the system interface driver, and the power management driver, then the switchable graphics driver for Vista x64.

[Wendy]

What version bios do you have?

[WilsonF]

The BIOS version I have has a release date of 27 May 2009, v3.01-1.03.

The procedure I followed worked in the beta, RC1 and RC2 before RTM. For the beta and RC 1 (before the most recent Bios at least for beta), I also tested the procedure on the x86 version of Win7 and found it worked. Once the virtual XP became available so I could use my workplace's apps that wouldn't install in 64-bit systems, I went exclusively to the x64 because the native Windows stuff like bootup are noticeably faster.

For what it's worth, my son uses Win7 x86 on an x61 tablet and finds it much snappier than Vista with all the functionality (and all the ThinkVantage apps he uses, including fingerprint and password manager).

[Wendy]

Everything works great on my R61i with 32bit. Its the W500 that's the problem child.

To clarify, did you make any bios changes before doing the install? I attempted to update my bios last night, something I haven't done since I got the machine, but have been unable to get a boot disk to work right which is the recommended procedure for 64bit Vista. Any tricks on that?

To be perfectly honest, I really don't switch the graphics that much but it just bugs the heck out of me to know that it just isn't working perfectly so must spend all my free time on it until it does (just kidding) but you know what I mean.

[WilsonF]

The version I mentioned is the latest version. I updated it at some time in May, well before the RTM became available.

Cheers,

[Wendy]

I am giving up for now. Got the OSD working with the bios update but the switchable graphics refuses to submit. As I said not a problem since I use it in discrete mode 99% of the time anyway.

After October I'll look for some new drivers. Actually I downloaded updated ATI software which was the only way I could get the dual montiors to function correctly.

[ebp]

Is there any word on when a working driver will be released?

[mybellyisempty]

It's out.

[WilsonF]

It's out? Where?

[bobones]

I have a W500 and I clean installed Windows 7 RTM yesterday along with the Lenovo system interface driver, hot key driver, power managment driver, power manager and switchable graphics driver from the Windows 7 Beta driver list. Everything works (hotkeys, on-screen display etc.) except switchable graphics, which just refuses to switch from the high performance adapter. I also updated the BIOS and searched Google to no avail.

Does anyone have this working with RTM, and if so can you provide a guide or details of driver versions? I know I can switch to integrated by changing BIOS settings, but it's bugging me that the switchable graphics isn't working. Please help!

TIA

[WilsonF]

I do on my T500. I did the same thing you did (with 7 Ultimate x64 RTM OS) and it works. I have no idea why.

[bobones]

I finally got this working. My mistake was that I installed Power Manager version 3.01a from the main T/W500 driver matrix instead of version 2.43 from the Windows 7 beta list. Happy now

[ebp]

It seems like that there has been released new drivers for power manager and switchable graphics. I uninstalled the old one and installed the new ones and now it's works perfectly

[speedster2008]

Hi, can you let me know which versions you have, i have version 3.05 of the poer manager and I still can't get the graphics on windows 7 to work, its still showing me the intel drivers even though the BIOS shows switchable. Everytime i try and load the ATI drivers the first page appears, lets me choose install and then nothing happens after that, I used this version http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... .html#tpmd

Thanks in advance

[bobones]

I think that's the correct driver (it's also listed in the official W500 drivers list). The driver version shows up as 8.641.1.0. I have PM 3.05 too and switchable graphics is fine. Make sure you have the latest system interface and hotkey drivers too.

[speedster2008]

Hi, just wondering whether you are using the x64 version? I will try and update all the drivers from the page. Thanks

[bobones]

Yes, see sig.