Switchable graphics not switching anymore...

Hey everyone!

For the past couple months, I've been having issues with the graphics on my HP Pavilion g6t (Win7 64bit). It has an Radeon 6470M Graphics card and Intel HD Graphics which I used to be able to switch between to balance performance/battery life. (I actually just try to use the lower-quality option because my laptop overheats and shuts down when I play games/edit videos with the better graphics.)

I used to get a popup from the Catalyst Control asking me if I want to switch graphics when I unplug the power cord, but one day (not sure what may have caused it) it stopped switching and I've been locked into the better graphics, making editing videos a real pain from all the overheating.

I've been trying everything, updating drivers, rolling back drivers, uninstalling/repairing/reinstalling, etc. I've tried directly from AMD's site, HP's site (relatively useless), and DriverEasy. Nothing's working.

I've been trying to figure this out for a few months now but I'm getting nowhere, except close to chopping this thing up into a bunch of little pieces and buying a new computer. Any input on how I can get my switchable graphics back would be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!

 

Do you have the ability to change from Fixed to Dynamic in BIOS/EFI?

Which is it on, if so?

 

Not sure on that one, how would i access that option to check it?

 

NVM, found it in BIOS, and no there isn't an option for the fixed/dynamic graphics.

 

Reboot your computer and hit the button to enter the BIOS.

I forget what it is, but I think 'Esc' brings you to a boot menu to choose.

 

Also, check for '!' in device manager on your video devices. Its possible that you accidentally updated the Intel or AMD via Windows Update. That will break switchable graphics just like the way its not working for you now.

 

Device Manager looks fine too, no warnings/errors. My computer seems to think everything's working fine. :/

 

What are you cards labeled as in Device Manager?

 

Display Adapters
- Intel(R) HD Graphics
- Radeon (TM) HD 6470M

 

Hmmmzers, have you tried resetting defaults inside Catalyst Control Center?

 

Yeah, tried that too. I got an error message saying there was "no configurable settings" or something, as if there wasn't an option to switch graphics anymore. I tried reinstalling the Catalyst Control, but it comes with the combined AMD/Intel drivers via the HP site, which didn't work. I still got the error saying I didn't have any configurable settings.

 

Ah, yeah you cannot use AMD and Intel drivers directly.

You must use HP's combo pack.

When you say didn't work, what happened?

 

I installed the HP driver pack, it said everything was installed successfully, yet nothing changed. It still wouldn't give me the option to switch the graphics.

 

Bump? Any other input how to fix this?

 

No, I can't even access the Catalyst Control. When I try, I get an error message saying there are no settings that I can configure. If I try graphics properties I get an error saying that the AMD driver is incorrect or not functioning.

 

These are the error messages:

 

That leads back to what I was saying earlier. The incorrect graphics drivers are installed.

At this point, I would disconnect from the Internet (to avoid Windows Update from grabbing drivers), uninstall all AMD catalyst software from add/remove programs, uninstall any intel software from add/remove programs, reboot, go into device manager, right click each display adapter and choose uninstall, clicking the box to delete the driver.


Then I would reboot once more, and try to install the HP drivers only. If that doesn't work, you can try something like this, and install the HP drivers after:

http://www.wagnardmobile.com/DDU/

 

Tried the first option, still not working, getting the same error messages. Trying the second option now.

EDIT: Just got an error message stating DDU isn't compatible with my AMD Enduro switching system, but I can still proceed If I want. I'll give it a try.

 

Tried the DDU route, didnt work. I also lost access to the Catalyst Control (no option when I right click the desktop). I think it may have just gotten worse. :-o

 

Did you ever check your BIOS for graphics controls like fixed or dynamic?


Try reinstall the HP drivers, and then for EACH graphics display, update the drivers manually by choosing the install directory.

 

Yeah, there was no option for fixed/dynamic in BIOS.

I tried updating em but I used the most recent driver package from HP's site, and device manager is telling me I have the most updated version of the driver as well.

 

I'm also thinking something may have gotten messed up with this whole process, because my computer has been progressively getting slower and my graphics start messing up (both in games and even from something as simple as watching youtube videos). Theres random skips/lagging, sections of the screen flashing black for a split second, distorted sound, and the occasional error message about AMD's graphics driver failing/encountering an error.

Overall though the laptop has slowed down significantly since I began this graphics repair process. It takes anywhere from 30 seconds to a couple minutes for programs to respond, Firefox/Chrome will sit there and "not respond" every 5 minutes or so. This laptop is just infuriating me now.

 

Alright, got the "not responding" issues squared away, but videos are still becoming distorted/choppy. Even tried updating the drivers with non HP versions, no go.

 

Worth a shot:

http://leshcatlabs.net/

 

I'll give this a try. Am I downloading both the AMD+intel package and the catalyst?

 

bump