W Series ThinkPad Laptops

[#1]

Furthermore it would be nice to know how programs work that did use to make a fuss. It was Solidworks for example, wasn't it?

Cheers,

Phil

Message Edited by PhilVy on 11-01-2008 04:39 PM

[#2]

Hello

I have downloaded and installed the new bios from Japanese Lenovo site (ver 1.9), and i am having some trouble. After i installed the version 1.9, the ATI catalyst program has been removed somehow, and I cant reinstall the driver, so I have downloaded 1.8 this time, and installed it, and still the graphic card driver is missing and I cant install the one from Lenovo website, I have tried to download the new graphic card driver from Japanese webisite provided by  frensel  , but the link doesnt have anything on both http and ftp,

so  I will really appreciate if someone could help me on this situation,  I was having tremendous headache dealing with this graphic card issue while i was using 3d programs, especially some program just crashes and never opens,  im seriously thinking about returning it, but i wanna give it another try, right now I cant do anything because of this graphic card problem,,,,

PLEASE HELP !!!!!! 

thank you 

[#3]

Hello Plitskin!

Now, have a look at the software uninstall. You do use Vista I suppose? Provide please OpSys and which version (32 or 64bit).

So, have a look at your control panel -> programs, is the ATI CCC still there? If so, uninstall it, unsinstall the drivers from the computer properties -> devices -> graphics adapter (video adapter), then run Lenovos "System Update" wich will install the ATI driver. Before this install reboot and set the dedicated adapter as active in bios.

After that it should be alright.

But just to make sure, reply with your operating system, whether you see the ATI software in the software management of windows and whether both graphic adapters are shown in the devices management.

Good evening,

Phil

Message Edited by PhilVy on 11-02-2008 01:20 AM

[#4]

PhilVy

Im so sorry that I havent mentioned about the OS ,

Actually, most of the 3d applications i use work better on XP,

So I downgraded the OS from vista 64 to Windows XP

I am really not goot at technical aspects of computer engineering, so i need some expert advice

Thank you for your time and help !!!!

Message Edited by plitskin30 on 11-01-2008 05:29 PM

[#5]

XPnet- I used the executable file to update my BIOS. Not sure why the ISO disks are not working for you. Remember to disable BIOS password if you have one!

[#6]

Hello Plitskin,

I did not run the W500, and so the new Lenovo software, on XP, but I suppose you did install the Lenovo software package after you've downgraded.

In this case, I'd suppose you to check System Settings -> Software, if there is any sign of ATI software. If there is, uninstall it (if you HAVE the System Updater of Lenovo) and run the system update after reboot. Then you're finished.

If you DO NOT have System Update, try to get it. I'll help you if you can't find it, must have it as backup myself anyway.

If there's no possibilty for you to install it (error, whatsoever) then you got to download the driver for your graphics adapter from Lenovo.com -> support ->drivers -> (put in your serial number) -> Video (from dropdown).

The download is aprox. 130MB, and didnt work for me to run from the GUI. So I suppose there you will have to run install from the commandline, too.

For this you go Start -> Run... -> "cmd" (enter) -> the folder you unpacked the package. For me it was C:/DRIVERS/WIN/VIDEO (use "cd" command to navigate, change directory. To get one level up, type "cd..", to get one down, for example you're in "C:/DRIVERS", type "cd WIN" or "cd WIN/VIDEO" (last one makes problems on some system, don't know why))

When you're in the folder you've unpacked it in, type "SETUP.exe -install" and wait. Wait. Wait more. You'll see the HDD led flickering. It might take several minutes (took me aprox. 8)

IMPORTANT When you are going to INSTALL the driver (on uninstall it does not matter) you have to put the garphics adapter in bios on discrete. Therefore, you turn on your Laptop, and as soon as the first screen gets up (Lenovo), press F1. There you navigate to Setting or something like that (first menu point), then to VIDEO, there you put as graphics adapter "not switchable", but discrete graphics on.

For further questions: I'm hanging around here for the day while studying...

Phil

[#7]

It turns out the ISO disks problems are related to another problem I posted on the board, My W500 won't produce a bootable ISO with the pre-packaged software in my configuration. I have a second PC that I'm using to make the CD's right now that require a bootable CD (Swapping hard drives with disk imaging software) for a couple PCs in the home office.

Anyways, I'm in the middle of some major project today I'll try the 1.18 later in the week when things cool down. Kinda glad I didn't do the upgrade in case something was fishy. 

[#8]

Hello Phil,

Thank you for your instruction, it was very helpful, and most of all it has saved my life,,  =)

It kept me stay sane,    i mean this graphic card problem was driving me nuts everyday,

by the way, im not sure whether this firegl v5700 is a good graphic card,

because i am using sketchup, autocad, and more,  and i cant use opengl acceleration in sketchup for instance,

is there anything i have missed ??   

sorry i always ask you questions,  

Thank you !!

plitskin

[#9]

Plitskin sorry to hear about your problems. But I'm glad that you've fixed your problem eventually.

I have found that the Solidworks ISV driver do not detect the GPU so I'm not sure what is wrong. I'm running XP with the 1.18 Bios. The regular video driver installs fine and the OpenGL acceleration runs on Solidworks.

I would avoid using the ISV drivers for now and use the regular video driver to test stuff out.

[#10]

Ok guys, something fishy is going on.

ATI's website http://developer.amd.com/drivers/pc_vendor_id/Pages/default.aspx lists the Device ID for the V5700 as 9595 and the HD3650 as 9591.

I have updated my BIOS to ver 1.18 and CCC is identifying the GPU as the V5700. Now the weird thing is, my Device ID is still as before 9591 (CCC also gives you the Device ID).

Did Lenovo pull a fast one on us? I say that because I tried to install the ISV video driver for solidworks and it didn't install because apparently it didn't detect the correct GPU! I would imagine it is trying to detect 9595. Anybody has any ideas?