T400 & Windows 8.1

[kitor]

Hi,
As I already got retail 8.1 (msdn on university), I'm trying to get it working on my T400. So far everything works... excluding switchable graphics
After usual procedure from Win8 (pm driver & pm -- reboot -- chipset -- reboot -- switchable driver for win7), system is working perfectly - but only until reboot. After reboot (tried 5 times on 4 fresh installs of Windows) all I get is KERNEL_SECURITY_CHECK_FAILURE with first parameter "3" that points to problem with driver. More on MSDN:
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... s.85).aspx

To confirm that it wasn't broken download or something, I installed back Win8 using exactly the same files from my HDD and it's working perfectly.

Disabling switchable graphics in bios works (so system will boot on intel OR ati card independently, but using it's own drivers), re-enabling switchable graphics causes BSOD again.

From what I heard, 8.1 will be available for users through Windows Update, so if you have working Win8 on your T400 with dual graphics - it's time to do a backup. Or at least wait for confirmation of this problem and possible solutions.

[Chris B.]

Hi,
I'm having the same issue with T500 (same hardware but 15"). It was perfectly fine with Windows 8. I updated to 8.1 through the Store and after the update the graphic driver was disabled. After reinstalling I got the same message as you. Currently disabled the switchable graphics. When I find a minute to play around and if I'm successful I will post a solution.

[precip9]

With my T400, a variation.

The update procedure indicates that it did not complete successfully, but has rolled back to W8.
I did not try disabling switchable graphics in the BIOS. I did remove the ATI driver prior to the upgrade. The update procedure still indicated a fail to complete. But it does roll back very cleanly.

The real advantage of W8 is with solid state drives. It writes less to hibernate, which is important to the lifetime of these drives. It does start up faster. But the support for the display driver model, WDDM 1.1 is an accommodation, which does not provide access to the new features of the W8 driver model, WDDM 1.2.

We could hope for a hotfix, but it's unpredictable. For those with multiple W7/W8 licenses, this might be a time to swap them around. I've updated three X61s to W8.1 with no hitches. I have a W7 license left over from one of those machines. Rather than pray for a fix, I'll move that license to the T400.

I have a T400 high nit with a solid state drive, specifically for light, outdoor use. As long as Microsoft does not crimp support for W8, I'll leave it on.

[Thinkpadproblem]

Hi, I got the same kernel crash problem. I believe it is because of no switchable graphic driver for W8.1 by Lenovo.

[kitor]

I believe it is because of no switchable graphic driver for W8.1 by Lenovo.

O'rly?
There's no driver for 8.0 too and Win7 driver was working fine.

[precip9]

A lot of people are having this problem, even with current, supported hardware:
http://www.infoworld.com/t/microsoft-wi ... ens-229915

But it is true that we are a little disadvantaged in that no update to the switchable graphics driver can be expected.

I'm keeping W8 on the T400 for now. If eventually the general problem resolves, but leaves us behind, I'll install W7 on it.

[Thinkpadproblem]

it is not win 8.1 problem, it is switchable graphic issue, I am able to use dedicated graphics separately through BIOS switch if I uninstall "Power Manager" (not PM Driver). ATI dedicated graphics crash with power manager but they were working on win 8.0 w/o any problem. Lazy ignorant Lenovo as usual!

Btw, power manager 6.32 works perfect on Win 8.1 allowing to set up charge limits and green gauge's all functions on task bar with a bit earlier dependency package, latest one disabling auto start charge and stop of the set up limits, still work manually. one or two earlier version of dependency package works well with PM. (all these are independent from PM driver but 1.63 "PM Driver" should also be installed before PM.












unctioning

[precip9]

Lazy ignorant Lenovo as usual!

They are not lazy or ignorant. The software is out of support. They are under no obligation to support 8/8.1 on this machine, and they have said that they DON'T.

[Thinkpadproblem]

Lazy ignorant Lenovo as usual!

They are under no obligation to support 8/8.1 on this machine, and they have said that they DON'T.

Yes, they are, their product and they have to support. nothing personal however, obviously you are one of many who accepts their laziness and ignorance. Unfortunately there are many on Lenovo forums.

[precip9]

I don't know what the law is in Australia, but here in the U.S., Lenovo is required only to support the hardware in the original configuration. They are not obligated to support Windows 8.

Even if Lenovo wanted to fix the problem most of the code in the driver package was written by AMD and Intel. Even for Lenovo, it is very difficult or impossible to debug graphics driver code written by other companies. Graphics drivers are a specialty all in themselves. They are extremely complex.

For those who wish to be adventurous, AMD has hinted that this driver,
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/d ... 8%20-%2064

may support switchable graphics in some laptops. Perhaps a member of this forum might give it a try?

It is not yet possible to pin the blame on either AMD or Microsoft. Writing kernel level drivers is a complex collaboration between AMD, the graphics specialists, and Microsoft, who supply the kernel environment. It may be of interest to some of the members of this forum that the actual crash is caused by a specific call by the driver, a "bug check", which forces a system halt.

[Cigarguy]

I would be nice if manufacturers support software upgrades till infinity or until you decide to upgrade to a newer laptop, but this is not reality. Chances are yours shipped with Vista and have good support for Win 7. As I said this is not uncommon, my smartphones and tablets for example are only supported for 1 or 2 more Android updates.

[Thinkpadproblem]

The crash is due to atipf of ATI, not bug check, Lenovo is the only responsible to repack the driver and upgrade on its web page. ATI only driver company, Lenovo, Dell, HP etc have to upgrade the drivers correctly for their specs. Switchable function was a special promotion Lenovo ripped off of the customers over $2000. Full stop.

[precip9]

The crash is due to atipf of ATI, not bug check,[\quote]
False. It's a bug check. See
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... 85%29.aspx
Three people in this thread, including me, have reported the bug check error.

Lenovo is the only responsible to repack the driver and upgrade on its web page. ATI only driver company, Lenovo, Dell, HP etc have to upgrade the drivers correctly for their specs. Switchable function was a special promotion Lenovo ripped off of the customers over $2000. Full stop.

In the U.S., this is false. Lenovo has no responsibility to support Windows 8 on the T400 in the US.

As for Australia, I cannot say. But it is likely you must replace your laptop if 8.1 is a requirement.

[Thinkpadproblem]

The crash is due to atipf of ATI, not bug check,[\quote]
False. It's a bug check. See
http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library ... 85%29.aspx
Three people in this thread, including me, have reported the bug check error.

yes it is a atipf crash. the link you gave is an usual msdn crap answer.


http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... 16839874ce

scroll down "Zigzags3143" second reply "Here the procedure" under "Driver Verifier" instructions:
and tick only afip file, or something like afip, there is only one such file there, crash. untick that file no crash.

Apparently you work for Lenovo or a blind Lenovo fun without knowledge but just assumption presumptions, Lenovo responsible globally,

US no exception mate.

I will not reply back again, btw I have other Lenovos X and W series as well. Cheers.

[rkawakami]

Apparently you work for Lenovo or a blind Lenovo fun without knowledge but just assumption presumptions, Lenovo responsible globally,

US no exception mate.

I will not reply back again, btw I have other Lenovos X and W series as well. Cheers.

@Thinkpadproblem: On the chance that you do come back and read this thread, knock off the innuendo you are directing to other members of this forum. You've been told that Lenovo is not legally obligated to support Windows 8 on systems that they themselves have not certified. Read the second sentence in this note: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... D=HT074809

[kitor]

http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/wind ... 16839874ce

scroll down "Zigzags3143" second reply "Here the procedure" under "Driver Verifier" instructions:
and tick only afip file, or something like afip, there is only one such file there, crash. untick that file no crash.

Does it mean there's a way to avoid crash, or it's just a test procedure with this "Driver Verifier"?

For those who wish to be adventurous, AMD has hinted that this driver,
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/d ... 8%20-%2064

may support switchable graphics in some laptops. Perhaps a member of this forum might give it a try?

Just installed this driver, over Lenovo one, on Windows 8.0 (!). And can confirm that it's working.
I'll do partition backup (as I have no time to get everything back from scratch if this will fail) and then try to upgrade OS to 8.1.

[e]
In the final stage of upgrade, my t400 just turned off, and after that started to restore previous version of OS. So I restored partition image, and leaving this as is. Maybe somebody other have spare hard drive and can install 8.1 directly and try to use this driver.

[precip9]

Did you try the 13.1 driver, or the 13.4 beta driver?

[Thinkpadproblem]

After the latest Windows 8.1 Dec 23 update, switchable graphic is working w/o crashing with power manager. I did not install AMD graphic driver or Lenovo switchable driver, assume windows update installed it and solved the problem by itself.
I only updated integrated intel WM 1.1 driver to intel chipset driver on device manager driver update option by selecting update from my list etc. just try a couple of all driver option on device manager, you will be able to find the rigt intel driver;
Now:
"Display adapters" on device manager on "High Performance" (ATI):
ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3400 Series
Mobile Intel (R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family

"Display adapters" on device manager on "Energy Saving" (Intel):
Mobile Intel (R) 4 Series Express Chipset Family

Lenovo should have read my post and advised M$ to update driver! lol:) I am just posting this for others, so US is not exception, one of the sheep in the herd.

[bill bolton]

Lenovo has no responsibility to support Windows 8 on the T400 in the US.

They don't in Australia either

Cheers,

Bill B.

[kitor]

After the latest Windows 8.1 Dec 23 update, switchable graphic is working w/o crashing with power manager. I did not install AMD graphic driver or Lenovo switchable driver, assume windows update installed it and solved the problem by itself.

Well, so you just installed 8.1 w/o AMD drivers installation, and they installed themselfs from WinUpdate?

[JAJO]

I've just installed Win 8.1 x64 on my T400 (P9600, 8GB RAM, Intel/Radeon) and I'm a little disappointed.

After some tryouts with various GPU drivers I can't make it working. After installing ATI driver (http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloa ... D=DS018891) and reboot the OS there is only a windows sign and that's all. Sometimes a black screen.

Even when I try to make it working the Fingerprint hardware become useless - there is no working drivers.

My conclusion is to go back to Win 7 x64 and take the full advantage from T400.

[precip9]

I reverted back to W7.

A bunch of us were able to get W8 working. Our efforts are summarized in this thread:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=67&t=106918

But as far as I know, no one has been able to get W8.1 working with switchable graphics. One person made the claim, but he was a very nasty guy, and probably a fake.

If you are willing to turn off switchable graphics, you probably can get it working, with either Intel or ATI, but not both. In fact, it might make sense. The power consumption with W8.1, and the ATI graphics constantly on, may not be much more than W7 with switchable graphics. This might be true because W8 does not use 3D in the interface (easier on the graphics chip power consumption), and power savings in other places.

ATI is not by itself a problem. I have W8.1 running on an HP DV5z, which has only integrated graphics, and the result for this slow machine is a much improved laptop experience over W7.

[Temetka]

Apparently you work for Lenovo or a blind Lenovo fun without knowledge but just assumption presumptions, Lenovo responsible globally,

US no exception mate.

I will not reply back again, btw I have other Lenovos X and W series as well. Cheers.

@Thinkpadproblem: On the chance that you do come back and read this thread, knock off the innuendo you are directing to other members of this forum. You've been told that Lenovo is not legally obligated to support Windows 8 on systems that they themselves have not certified. Read the second sentence in this note: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/researc ... D=HT074809

Lol.

Don't you just love people like this?

EDIT: My comment not directed at Ray.