R400/T400/T500/W500: Switchable graphics issues with Win 7

[sonny_G]

I just want to add (and remind) that I'm waiting for a solution, too.

The switchabele graphics was THE argument for me to buy my T400.

I'm in need of a dedicated graphics card and for great mobility in one device (but not at a time).

The annoying switching after standby during mobile operations is unbearable!

Kind regards,

sonny_G

[RealStranger]

Don't get me started about my annoyance towards Lenovo and their switchable gfx driver ...

However, the mobile version of Catalyst 10.3 is running fine on my T400 and adds some nice gimmicks like automatic switching when the power status changes.

For Win7 x64 it can be downloaded here: http://support.amd.com/de/gpudownload/windows/Pages/radeonmob_win7-64.aspx .

To install it select the dedicated card in BIOS and run the installer. Afterward switchable gfx can be activated again.

Greetz!

M.T.

[Izmi]

Hi RealStranger,

Does this solve the power consumption after resuming from standby issue?

A member of the German thinkpad-forum wrote that the problem still exists (but his approach was different).

[RealStranger]

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Izmi wrote:

Hi RealStranger,

Does this solve the power consumption after resuming from standby issue?

A member of the German thinkpad-forum wrote that the problem still exists (but his approach was different).

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Hi lzmi,

I wish I could answer differently, but the problem does still exist : (

One improvement the update brings is that when you set your machine to automatic switching and go from plugged to battery it switches for you dedicated to integrated, thus helps once.

Greetz!

M.T.

[Izmi]

Thanks for checking! At least we have a clear situation: There is no known solution but only a workaround.

[lenardg]

It is puzzling that the 10.3 driver you reference works ... in the release notes on the page it says:

The following notebooks are not supported in this release:

• Switchable Graphics enabled notebooks using Intel chipsets.

The fact that you had to install it when the computer was set to Dedicated and then you had to switch back to switchable also seems strange.

Are you sure the new driver (not control panel, but driver) is running when you are using switchable?

[RealStranger]

Hi lenardg,

I am running switchable right now and have the following driver properties:

The driver date indicates that the updated one is running.

Even if the driver would not be a new version I would be pleased to have the automatic switching

Greetz!

M.T.

[kekiman]

This is so disappointing! The T400 is my first Thinkpad and I paid more than 1,5k USD for this machine. The switchable graphics feature was one of the main reasons for buying it.

And now I have to face these problems (see above) and the idleness of the Lenovo support since months. I thought I bought a product from the leading notebook manufacturer...

[lenardg]

RealStranger: did you uninstall the previous driver version (the Lenovo Switchable Graphics driver) prior to installing the new package from ATIAMD or did you just install over the old one?

[RealStranger]

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lenardg wrote:

RealStranger: did you uninstall the previous driver version (the Lenovo Switchable Graphics driver) prior to installing the new package from ATIAMD or did you just install over the old one?

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I kept the Lenovo driver and just installed the one from ATI "over" it. Don't know if it works, when you uninstall first - however, this would be interesting.

Greetz!

M.T.