T500 / Switchable Graphics ATI driver update [ Edited ]

[sys3175]

I noticed that they have updated the ATI winXP drivers to the newest version, but they have yet to release their patched switchable graphics drivers for Vista.  I work with serveral machines with the latest (v9.3) drivers from ATI and they have made significant performance improvements since the version which is included with the switchable drivers.  Does anyone know what frequency we could expect to see these updated?  Or is this a matter of lenevo only updating them if they have a compeling reason.  It would be great if they had included a utility to import the latest ATI drivers into a "switchable" install.

I have just installed the ATI Catlyst v9.3 drivers (using the driver heaven mod) and they work excellent and retain the switchable graphics function (in fact the newest version of CCC includes a Switchable control in it which actually works unlike the one which shipped with my T500).  I wish Lenovo would be proactive about why they are not using these drivers or simply update.

Message Edited by sys3175 on 03-29-2009 02:43 PM

[ortegaluis]

This is a matter of Lenovo releasing a driver update for switchable graphics. The driver would be proprietary software developed by Lenovo for use with Lenovo products.

[Kirkwood]

It should be noted that if you want to use the switchable graphics with Catalyst 9.4 (most recent as of this post) then you have to install the stand alone Lenovo Intel graphics drivers too.  Yes, they specifically say they are not designed for switchable graphics but it works.  I pulled my hair out for a couple hours trying to figure out why I couldn't get it to switch from the Intel to the Ati 3560.

The best part is since the ATI drivers now support the switchable drivers on their own, you no longer need the Thinkvantage software to switch graphics.  SCORE!

[zilla]

Did you download the Catalyst 9.4 from the ATI web site? Did you use the Mobility Modder before installing it on T500?

[Kirkwood]

Yes to both although for Catalyst 9.4 you have to use the new beta of Mobility Modder.  It worked fine after switching to Discreet graphics in the BIOS but in order for Switchable graphics to work I also had to install the newest Lenovo Intel graphics drivers as well to replace the ones fromthe switchable graphics package.

I haven't looked yet to see if anyone has a modified version of the newest Intel driver package that will install on the Thinkpads. I'm not too concerned though since I don't have any issues with the older ones.  There is a very noticable improvement in the ATI Catalyst 9.4 drivers though.  The miniscule lag that you could feel between switching windows with the Lenovo drivers is now gone and it actually runs a little cooler now at idle even though I had cooling on maximum.  That HD3650 puts outs some heat so its a nice bonus.  Anyways, the switchable grapichs option was very important for me since I am often on battery power and rarely need the ATI graphics in those situations so the extra battery life is vital.

Oh yeah, the transition between GPU's is much quicker now.  I am very happy.

Side note, I fell asleep with my laptop on last week and "sleep clicked" a 3D demo on and my left hand was laying next to the exhaust.  I have got a nice rectangular burn from it but thats to be expected from my own carelessness.

[zilla]

I did see that ATI now integrated switchable graphics into their regular Catalyst shipment. But are you saying you installed the modded ATI driver in discrete mode, the Intel drivers in integrated mode and THEN switched to switchable graphics in bios? I would have thought one would install the new Catalyst driver incorporating switchable graphics with bios set to switchable graphics not discrete graphics. 

[Kirkwood]

I'l clarify.  Everything was installed in Swtchable mode.  I installed modded Catalyst 9.4 in Swtichable Mode and even though they installed fine, the existing Intel drivers from the pre-existing Lenovo switchable drivers package prevented the Ati 3650 from working after reboot.  When I switched to Discreet in the BIOS and rebooted, Catalyst 9.4 worked just fine so I knew it was an issue with the pre-existing Intel/Ati driver package.

I reasoned that Lenovo had probabaly hooked them together in a way that made them dependent.  Since ATI now had their own switchable graphics drivers, I figured that the stand alone Intel graphics would probably not interfere with the Catalyst 9.4.  I rebooted back into Switchable mode and installed the Lenovo integrated Intel drivers.  Final reboot and it now works flawlessly.

The clue that tipped me off that the old drivers were interfering was that ATI advertising the switchable graphics as powerXpress and the option in the right click pull sown menu on desktop still said Switchable Graphics.  Now it says powerXpress.  Until I installed said Intel Drivers, the Switchable Grpahics menu would come up and I would click on the Ati card but it wouldn't engage. 

[zilla]

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Kirkwood wrote:

Yes to both although for Catalyst 9.4 you have to use the new beta of Mobility Modder.

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I see an nVidia Mobility Modder beta in the forum . For ATI I only find discussion how to modify the Modder to make it work on Catalyst 9.2 and later.

Could you please post which mods of the Modder made it successfully mod Catalyst 9.4 for Vista to install on your T500.

Edit: ok found the "beta". It's the second download here. Will try this and post my experiences in  this thread.

Message Edited by zilla on 2009-05-01 01:35 PM

[gidder]

hey zilla,

thanks for the reply, and thanks for the tip on the wrong section i had thought being that the lenovo power driver was part of the thinkvantage software but whatever. ill move my questions over to where you are now!

so im brand new to this whole ati driver now (almost) supporting switchable graphics on its own. having just received my new w500 im trying to get all the nonsense software out of it. so, im hanging on your results with the beta modder! if you could be specific on how you went about getting your results that would be great. ie; removing the intel drivers also then reinstalling after the modded ati drivers go in, changes in the bios, stuff like that

appreciate your help

thanks

[zilla]

Here are my experiences with Catalyst 9.4.