What driver to install for switchable graphics on Vista?

[johnjohndoe]

Hello.

I got problems to use switchable graphics at my T400 2765-D2G. I run Vista Business SP2.
Lenovos download page states to install the "ThinkPad Switchable Graphics Driver for Windows Vista (64-bit and 32-bit) - ThinkPad T400, R400, T500, W500"

Version: 8.563.2.1-090401a-079160C
Release Date: 2009/04/28
7vd541ww.exe 152,385,368 ThinkPad Switchable Graphics Driver

When I run the setup of the ATI Catalyst driver it tells me that I do not have Enabled Aero: "Current Version not Installed".



I wonder if there is a newer driver that can switch the graphic adapters.
Please also tell me whether I need to install the Intel GM45 driver as well or if I should not install both together. I am not sure if I understand the total setup.

Thx, John

[Colonel O'Neill]

The Switchable package includes both the necessary ATI and Intel drivers. I have never seen the installer prompt "Enable Aero" in custom mode before, which is really weird.

[johnjohndoe]

Finally, I managed to install the driver by choosing the automatic setup. It installed everything without problems.

Nevertheless, I have to deal with the following problems:

1. Problem: External screen
I cannot use an external screen when I run the ATI device. This is what happens: I switch on the second screen - it shows my desktop - it stays for 5 seconds - it turns black again.
The problem does not occur when I use the Intel device.

2. Problem: Hot switch
Further, I cannot change the devices live while running Windows. How can I? What BIOS settings do I have to choose?

I hope you can help me..

[Colonel O'Neill]

In BIOS, under Config, Display, you must choose Switchable instead of Discrete or Integrated.
Second, install the switchable driver from the ATI page. This is sometimes a bit difficult if you've manually removed the previous one incompletely.

Switching is done using the Power Manager right click menu.

You might want to overlay the 11.1a Catalyst drivers manually over the Lenovo ones as they are a fair bit out of date. You can do this by right clicking on the Radeon 3400 Series entry in Device Manager (with switchable set to discrete using Power Manager, NOT USING BIOS (BIOS = Switchable).) and choosing Update Device Drivers. Choose the manual setting until you get to Have Disk, at which point you feed it the 11.1a Catalyst drivers and choose 3400 Series.