Desktop Windows Manager stopped working after restart, other problems

gregrocker said:

Type Nvidia in Start Search box, Check if you have switchable graphics in the Nvidia Control Panel.

Otherwise on Dells with an onboard GPU chip where a video card has been added, there may be a setting in BIOS setup accessed by rebooting and tapping the key given on first screen, usually F1 or F2.

Okay, all it said was
Integrated Graphics: Intel Ivy Bridge
Discrete Graphics: NVIDIA GT

There should be a way to select one of these.

Can you post back a camera snap of the BIOS listing: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

Or a screenshot using the Snipping Tool of the Nvidia Control Panel's listing.

gregrocker said:

There should be a way to select one of these.

Can you post back a camera snap of the BIOS listing: Screenshots and Files - Upload and Post in Seven Forums - Windows 7 Forums

Or a screenshot using the Snipping Tool of the Nvidia Control Panel's listing.

Okay, I got one of the BIOS listing. Sorry, it's not the best quality.

How about in the Nvidia Control Panel? Is there a way to select Intel or Nvidia?

gregrocker said:

How about in the Nvidia Control Panel? Is there a way to select Intel or Nvidia?

Only for certain programs. I think my laptop has Optimus technology as Dude suggested.

Dude said:

blue4fun, Download the Nvidia driver from here Product Support for Alienware M14x R2 | Dell US



I can not see the bios version on your screen shot, as there are a new versions available. Make sure you have all off the updated drivers from the link.

I believe that is where I normally got my drivers but before the problem happened I was directed elsewhere. Do I need to do a system restore before I install or can I just do a clean install?
If you couldn't see the BIOS version, it's A12.