ATI Mobility Radeon 4670 & Intel Confliction

[JV3]

I've just installed Windows 7 Pro 32-bit on my Acer 8935G notebook. Along with my ATI 4670 I have an onboard Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family display adapter.

*My problem is that I cannot seem to have my notebook utilize my ATI adapter rather than the built-in (and inferior) Intel adapter, it seems to want to use the Intel by default.

In device manager, both display adapters are reported to be working fine and without error. I have also already downloaded and successfully installed the latest ATI Catalyst display driver for Windows 7 32bit.

What can I do so solve this? What am I missing?

Thanks in advance.

 

[zigzag3143]

I've just installed Windows 7 Pro 32-bit on my Acer 8935G notebook. Along with my ATI 4670 I have an onboard Intel 4 Series Express Chipset Family display adapter.

*My problem is that I cannot seem to have my notebook utilize my ATI adapter rather than the built-in (and inferior) Intel adapter, it seems to want to use the Intel by default.

In device manager, both display adapters are reported to be working fine and without error. I have also already downloaded and successfully installed the latest ATI Catalyst display driver for Windows 7 32bit.

What can I do so solve this? What am I missing?

Thanks in advance.

go to device manager and the offending device. right click and disable it. no problem


EDIT Just realize that if your ati doesn't work the integrated one will still be disabled

 

[JV3]

attempted fix

go to device manager and the offending device. right click and disable it. no problem

I did this but my screen simply went blank and I had to manually shut down my machine. I have checked my device manager again and the Intel chip is once again enabled... What's going on here?

Again, both adapters report to be working properly and (to my knowlege) I have successully installed the latest catalyst drivers for the ATI mobility radeon 4000 series (ATI Catalyst™ Mobility Display Driver)

 

[zigzag3143]

go to device manager and the offending device. right click and disable it. no problem

I did this but my screen simply went blank and I had to manually shut down my machine. I have checked my device manager again and the Intel chip is once again enabled... What's going on here?

Again, both adapters report to be working properly and (to my knowlege) I have successully installed the latest catalyst drivers for the ATI mobility radeon 4000 series (ATI Catalyst™ Mobility Display Driver)

If your screen went blank when disabling it you were running it at the time. because the screen went black you couldn't ok it. did you try disabling it by properties>right click? you can also try right click>properties>driver>disable.

As far as I know you cant have 2 drivers working on the same display. you sure the ATI is good?

 

[JV3]

I've tried both methods with the same effect. I've also tried uninstalling both adapters then restarting my computer and loading everything back but it didn't make a difference.

I came across this before posting, I felt it was relevent to some extent but not entirely. http://www.sevenforums.com/graphic-...sue-windows-7-ati-radeon-mobility-4670-a.html

 

[JV3]

Are there other known issues?

 

[JV3]

It may be that Acer has yet to provide Windows 7 support for my particular notebook model (Acer Aspire 8935G). I gather from what I have read online that support is to be expected later this month. Perhaps I should call them in the mean time.

It's been nice talking to myself

 

[rikdol]

Hi JV3,

the acer notebook has a hybrid videocard usage wich, using the standard installation, can switch between them on the fly.

The problem is that these notebooks have a BIOS problem ( for wich i know acer has an update) that can be fixed by installing the update.

Also:
The notebook has 2 powerswitches. the normal one in the top left corner. Wich, when pressed, starts the notebook with the intel adapter.

And a 2nd one. on the right side of the keyboard just left of the "hold" button. Starting you notebook with this button will make use of the ATI card.

This is tested on my 8935G with an XP installation. And i am still waiting for the acer software that was promised to me...

Just one more thing i want to ask you. When you started the notebook with the "media" key (the one left of hold) do you have problems or "lag" when you try to resize explorer windows???

I hope this helps.

Rik
Netherlands.

 

[JV3]

Hi JV3,

the acer notebook has a hybrid videocard usage wich, using the standard installation, can switch between them on the fly.

The problem is that these notebooks have a BIOS problem ( for wich i know acer has an update) that can be fixed by installing the update.

Also:
The notebook has 2 powerswitches. the normal one in the top left corner. Wich, when pressed, starts the notebook with the intel adapter.

And a 2nd one. on the right side of the keyboard just left of the "hold" button. Starting you notebook with this button will make use of the ATI card.

This is tested on my 8935G with an XP installation. And i am still waiting for the acer software that was promised to me...

Just one more thing i want to ask you. When you started the notebook with the "media" key (the one left of hold) do you have problems or "lag" when you try to resize explorer windows???

I hope this helps.

Rik
Netherlands.

Ok, I will look into this. Personally, I didn't know of the dual boot capabilities/never bothered to investigate. I'm assuming I can find the download for the ACER bios on acer.com?

 

[JV3]

Hi JV3,

the acer notebook has a hybrid videocard usage wich, using the standard installation, can switch between them on the fly.

The problem is that these notebooks have a BIOS problem ( for wich i know acer has an update) that can be fixed by installing the update.

Also:
The notebook has 2 powerswitches. the normal one in the top left corner. Wich, when pressed, starts the notebook with the intel adapter.

And a 2nd one. on the right side of the keyboard just left of the "hold" button. Starting you notebook with this button will make use of the ATI card.

This is tested on my 8935G with an XP installation. And i am still waiting for the acer software that was promised to me...

Just one more thing i want to ask you. When you started the notebook with the "media" key (the one left of hold) do you have problems or "lag" when you try to resize explorer windows???

I hope this helps.

Rik
Netherlands.

Ok, I will look into this. Personally, I didn't know of the dual boot capabilities/never bothered to investigate. I'm assuming I can find the download for the ACER bios on acer.com?

I've updated the Bios with ACER's latest release (October 12th I think) and shut down my computer and booted it using the media button (left of Hold button) and then let windows install the necessary media drivers that hadn't been loaded yet. I rebooted using the media key and it seems that everything is working properly i.e. my ATI card IS being used (REJOICE). Also, no signs of window lag.

However, is there any way to have the ATI loaded as the default display adapter so I don't have to keep booting using the media button?

 

[rikdol]

Did you actually find the bios update on the Acer website?? since i wasn't able to find it there, aacer told me they would send the links by mail. wich took em 5 days to complete.

I haven't been able to test these updates yet, since the notebook is with a client as i am typing. When i get it back from them ill make sure to install and test it.

The funny thing is,

This bios update should make the notebook use the ATI videocard when booting from the normal on switch, instead of the media key. This is what acer told me, then again, they tell alot.. :sarc:

Ill try it out as soon as i get the notebook back.

BTW. The windows lag u mentioned is something i was able to overcome by de-selecting some startupprograms/services in msconfig...
!! only change services when you know what they do !!

Hope this helps a bit further

 

[rikdol]

wow. i am almost suprised it didn't work.

I got the BIOS update. installed it.. but still, the notebook is using intel with normal on/off button and ATI with media key.......................

All i can do now is call them tomorrow and ask for a proper fix... i want to
be able to use the notebook as intended.. or have a BIOS option wich video card to use when a specific key is used to start up...

tomorrow more!

 

[banany]

Hi,

I am experiencing a similar problem.

My laptop contains an ATI Radeon HD 4670, and I installed Windows 7 64-bit this morning and my graphics is not working as well as it was in Vista 32-bit.

Please let me know of your possible solutions.

Thanks.

 

[rikdol]

well.. since it is not working as well.. we need to know how it was functioning prior to installing the x64 version of windows 7.

What differences do you notice?

also... what driver or catalyst version are you using. the newest are catalyst 9.9 that can be modded to work with mobile chipsets..


so its not a similar problem. This thread is about a notebook that has 2 videocards wich get assigned through the on/off switch u use..

let me know about the difference u experience.

U did install all necessary drivers right?

 

[banany]

Hi rikdol,

The difference is with the results from the Windows Experience Index rating. When I had Vista, my lowest score was 5.0, and I believe that was with graphics and now with the gaming graphics at 3.4 and normal graphics at 4.1 I'm slightly confused. In addition, I have personally experienced the difference myself.

I tried playing one of the games I played when I had Vista, and it struggled in the high settings. It didn't struggle at all in Vista, it ran very smoothly.

I believe I have downloaded and installed the correct driver for it;

Drivers & Support | GAME.AMD.COM

I also checked my device manager and I saw this...

Thanks for the reply.

 

[JV3]

Hi rikdol,

The difference is with the results from the Windows Experience Index rating. When I had Vista, my lowest score was 5.0, and I believe that was with graphics and now with the gaming graphics at 3.4 and normal graphics at 4.1 I'm slightly confused. In addition, I have personally experienced the difference myself.

I tried playing one of the games I played when I had Vista, and it struggled in the high settings. It didn't struggle at all in Vista, it ran very smoothly.

I believe I have downloaded and installed the correct driver for it;

Drivers & Support | GAME.AMD.COM

I also checked my device manager and I saw this...

Thanks for the reply.

What I had done was stripped all my drivers for my ATI card (in safe mode if necessary) and then downloaded the latest catalyst 9.9 software suite from ATI/AMD. Install, reboot and it got rid of my (code 10) problem which I also had before. Are you also using dual display adapters in your laptop? This is specifically concerning an ACER 8935G.

I stripped my drivers using 'Driver Sweeper' http://phyxion.net/

 

[banany]

Hi rikdol,

The difference is with the results from the Windows Experience Index rating. When I had Vista, my lowest score was 5.0, and I believe that was with graphics and now with the gaming graphics at 3.4 and normal graphics at 4.1 I'm slightly confused. In addition, I have personally experienced the difference myself.

I tried playing one of the games I played when I had Vista, and it struggled in the high settings. It didn't struggle at all in Vista, it ran very smoothly.

I believe I have downloaded and installed the correct driver for it;

Drivers & Support | GAME.AMD.COM

I also checked my device manager and I saw this...

Thanks for the reply.

What I had done was stripped all my drivers for my ATI card (in safe mode if necessary) and then downloaded the latest catalyst 9.9 software suite from ATI/AMD. Install, reboot and it got rid of my (code 10) problem which I also had before. Are you also using dual display adapters in your laptop? This is specifically concerning an ACER 8935G.

I stripped my drivers using 'Driver Sweeper' Phyxion.net | Home

Hi there,

Yes that's my laptop, ACER ASPIRE 8935G.

Erm.. I've not changed any display settings so I'm guessing I'm using dual display adapters?

Will the code 10 disappear after uninstalling all the ATI drivers from my laptop then reinstalling the latest version? Which drivers am I specifically looking for?

Could you guide me through how I would uninstall all the drivers? Would they be under "Uninstall a program"? in Control Panel?

Thanks.

EDIT: I have sort of found a solution.. after some googling... I've found out I can boot the laptop using a different button (some media button) and it boots up with the 4670 gfx card instead of the Intel one... and after running a windows experience index scan it my gaming graphics a score of 6.7, which is what it should be.

But I still need to know how to fix the problem... I don't understand why, when I boot from the normal power button it can't load up the ATI 4670...

 

[rikdol]

first of all.. i would like you to read the entire thread.. i dont want to explain your problem since it has been explained a few messages back......

second
you problem lies in you drivers.. your windows experience index sux because it can only use the internal Intel graphics.. When u used vista, you notebook was able, through software, to switch to the ati card on the fly , thus making you score better.
look at your notebook. there should be a button above the media key wich represents a leaf of somekind. This normally makes your notebook run in a economical mode or performance mode, depending wheter it's on or off.

If u used the right drivers, booted with the "media" button next to hold, and run a test.. you'll see you score fine..

Now 3rd:

As far as i know amd/ati does not provide the necessary drivers for a mobile 4670 videocard... you need to download their 9.9 Catalyst drivers for desktop 4670 and MOD these using "mobility modder"( do a google search on this one) after that you card should work just fine, and your performance much better...

let us know how it went, because so far.. there has not been a solution to make these notebooks boot normally with the ATI card enabled.

keep in mind... read back before u post

lol: now i did explain it for a second time.....

 

[ochoteau]

Have also problems of LAGS on my ACER 8935G.

I have installed W7 64b, all was ok until I reboot my computer by pressing the 'media' key (at the left of the 'hold' key). But now when I switch to high-perf GPU (ATI4670) I have lags on my screen. I have updated to BIOS 3207 and now lags appear seldom (last ATI drivers from ACER installed).

I have sent back my computer to ACER and after 26 days, received it back, all was OK until I reinstall W7 64b and start from media key. SO I ADVISE YOU TO NOT START WITH THIS KEY !!!

Moreover my computer was returned damaged by ACER (left fixing screw support broken).

 

[banany]

Hi,

I have fixed my one. I can boot it up from the normal POWER button and it'll load up the 4670 rather than the intel gfx.

You gotta install the latest drivers and application.

ATI VGA Driver and the LaunchManager.

Service & Support

Be sure to select your operating system from the drop down menu.

Lemme know if it works!