Is there a place to discuss Microsoft Internet Explorer?

Anak said:

If I may expand on Brink's reply.
Since you have the x64 version of the Windows 7 OS, you should also be able to find both IE's in Start Orb > All Programs, look at the top of the list you should see both of them there.
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Thanks again, Anak. Looks like you've given me some good stuff to try and I very much appreciate it. I won't have time to look at this until I return from work... this evening, but I'll dig in when I can and get back to you.

I can tell you that I've already found and renamed the 32/64-bit IE shortcuts and tested them both relative to GPU Acceleration on/off. RESULT: GPU-on crashed the session in both 32/64-bit versions. Turning it off still leaves the green banding at the top under bother versions.

Got to run now. More later... 'Til later, thanks again.

—Thri

Came across this today: HTG Explains: What You Need to Know About NVIDIA Optimus, I'm not sure if it will apply to you or not.

More:

Using the NVIDIA Optimus Graphics feature

Some ThinkPad notebooks support NVIDIA Optimus Graphics.
NVIDIA Optimus Graphics enables a dynamic switch, that is, a switch with no need to restart your computer between High Performance and Energy Saving Graphics.

Note: To use the DisplayPort feature or DVI monitor on the docking station, you need to switch to High Performance Graphics.

Switching the Graphics Processing Unit
If your computer supports NVIDIA Optimus Graphics, the Graphics Processing Unit is switched automatically depending on the settings of the power plan you use.

Note: If your computer is running Windows XP, you cannot switch the GPU.

Source: Page 84; User Guide ThinkPad T520, T520i, and W520.pdf

Here are some specs I found for the 520/4270:

Graphic Controller Video chipsets:

• Intel HD Graphics 3000
• NVIDIA® Quadro® 1000M
• NVIDIA® Quadro® 2000M

Your welcome, and thank you for those kind words.

thricipio said:

if I'm interpreting things correctly here, is that my problems may very well stem from less-than-current drivers for my NVIDIA GPU; or perhaps some NVIDIA parameter settings that need to be tweaked; or some combination of both.

Put another way: it might be a good idea to use IE's GPU Acceleration feature, as well as Flash's Hardware Acceleration, rather than disabling these features to correct problems that really stem from GPU/NVIDIA-related issues.

So, it looks like more homework for me.

Spot on.

You would have to check the driver version to make sure you need the update and if you do update make sure you create a restore point, and have a plan of action before you update. Sometimes a driver update can make things worse.
Do a search to see if anyone else has run into quadro/optimus problems.

But I would start with the parameter settings first, go with your changes for a few days to see if the display gets better or worse.

All things being equal, it would be the best of both worlds if the browser, and flash settings were returned to their defaults and your nvidia card was running optimus prime (couldn't help myself on the pun).

Your welcome,

If you do decide to update the nvidia drivers, read as much as you can before doing it. I have been seeing problems like this thread:
Nvidia Drivers + Optimus =something stinks here...... - Lenovo Community

Anak said:

Your welcome,

If you do decide to update the nvidia drivers, read as much as you can before doing it. I have been seeing problems like this thread:
Nvidia Drivers + Optimus =something stinks here...... - Lenovo Community

Anak-

Thanks for the extra heads-up. I've read the Lenovo thread you posted a link to and I have to confess to a first reaction of, "Yikes!" And a second reaction of, "If it ain't broke, maybe I shouldn't try to fix it." But I realize, after all, it is broke already, which is why I experienced the problems you and Brink have helped me find a workaround for.

So, when I can get myself into more of a general upgrade and maintenance frame of mind, I'll gear myself up (by revisiting this thread and reading others like it) to do what needs to be done. I may put it off for awhile — until I can put together the money for a DRAM upgrade. I currently have 4GB but plan to max out the capacity on my W520 by bringing it up to 32GB.

Anyway, thanks again for the advisory, without which, I could've gotten myself into a real bind, I think.

Gratefully,
—Thri

PS - I just looked at "My System Specs" and noticed that I list for my Graphics Card, NVIDIA Quadro 1000M. I'm thinking this is not the same thing as an Optimus, in which case, the thread you reference may not be relevant (although others may well be).
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I do remember that when I bought this Thinkpad last spring, I blew through my budget, getting everything I wanted except the most powerful graphics chip. I think that might have been a Quadro 2000M, and I remember it was another $250. Since I'm not a gamer, I figured it would've been overkill. Shortly after I made the purchase, I sort of regretted not getting the better GPU, realizing that I hope to do some video editing at some point down the road, and the extra horsepower might come in handy.
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Anyway, maybe there was a whole other class of GPU's (i.e., the Optimus) that I didn't even bother looking at based on it being way out of my price range and so I've just forgotten about it. Or... maybe the Optimus is another name for the Quadro. I guess I should do some investigating.
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All for now... thanks again. —Thri