my new laptop has both Intel HD graphics and a dedicated 1 GB NVidia 420M graphics card. The computer is using the HD graphics card, which I tried disabling in order to try to force it to switch to the NVidia card, but it seems that it won't switch over even though I'm keeping the computer's AC power plugged into it at all times - how do I force it to make the switch and save this setting?

I know the laptop was using its HD graphics card b/c when I last tested Alter Ego on it after applying my successful fix (in another thread) to render the invisible game characters fully visible, I saw text at the bottom of the game's menu that said something like "using HD video (low-end graphics)".

I tried looking in the user guide for how to make the switch, but it seems as if I cannot find the instructions. It's a Acer Aspire 5745G laptop.

The only paper-based docs that came was the Quick Guide. I did a quick scan of the .pdf user guide that's on the computer, but didn't find any instructions, and I tried my "P" (programmable) key, but this doesn't work either.

You said you disabled the HD graphics. You shouldn't have done that. You can just switch between the two. But I don't know what the switch is if it isn't in your user's manual or the quick guide.

EDIT: I did find this in a review...

It could be in your power options, mine has quite a few different selections, such as High Performance, Quiet Office. Those might have something to do with what graphics card it uses. Mine has only the NVidia card so I couldn't tell you how it affects switching. Mine also has a one touch button at the top of the keyboard, along with a few others. Try mousing over the taskbar and see what the icons say.

Reading stuff on google it says her machine should switch when plugged into a wall and again when unplugged. Manually you do it with a P button above her keyboard

That's what I read too - but if she somehow disabled something she shouldn't have..... I just don't know.

Did a system Restore back to Feb. 26 (the day after I got it) everything looked ok, found out it was the Alter Ego config settings that I changed (shaderLevel @ 0, antialiasingLevel @ 0) that caused the text "Compatibility (low-end HW detected)" to show at bottom of game's main menu - anyone know what causes this text to be displayed at these settings?

I'm beginning to suspect that this text has nothing to do with whatever graphics card (HD media card or NVidia card) that the computer is using while gaming thus.

Following my System Restore back to the 26th, the HD Media card has automatically been re-enabled, and I haven't disabled anything since.

EDIT - read in Terri's post that this message may be indicating that my NVidia graphics card may be low-end - either that, or it's default set to use the HD Media chipset card. But the laptop's NVidia card is a GeForce GT 420M DDR3 - this isn't low-end, is it?

According to the folks at notebookcheck.net it's not -

The NVIDIA GeForce GT 420M is a fast mid-range laptop graphics card presented in 2010. It is based on the GF108 core, which is related to the Fermi architecture. Therefore, it supports DirectX 11 and OpenGL 4.0. In contrast to the GT 415M, the card features the full 96 shader cores. Compared to the GT425M and GT435M, the 420M offers lower clock rates.

Edit -

The notebook I'm looking at to replace my HP has an GTS 350M, both are class 2 IGP's (by today's standards).

Found out how to fix the graphic card settings -

I went to Control Panel > NVidia Control Panel > 3D settings > Highlight "manage 3D settings" in left pane, > In "manage 3D Settings" (right pane) go to Program Settings > Select a program to customize > Add > Computer > C:\ > Program Files (x86) > Viva Media (highlight this) > Open > Highlight game > Open > select game's shortcut-like icon > click on this > Open, and it takes you back to the Manage 3D Settings panel, from there where it says "select preferred graphics processor for this program", you have 2 choices - either the Integrated graphics or the high performance NVidia Processor, Highlight "NVidia processor" > Apply.

They really buried it deep, didn't they.

That's Nvidia for you - when I need to change graphics settings for a specific game (if the option is not inside the game options), I have to follow the same path for my GTX 260. It's actually not as bad as it looks and is pretty intuitive.

Comparing my new laptop's graphics card with that of my old HP Compaq Presario X6000 laptop, I found this at Notebookcheck.net -



I'm starting to believe my old laptop's graphics card is a bit slower than the one in my new laptop, but was the one in my old laptop a low-end graphics card?

Quite a bit slower.


Yes it was low end, and strictly speaking it was a chipset built into the motherboard and not a separate card. I don't know if your particular card had discrete VRAM or not, which is another consideration for games.

I've use the NVidia control panel to try to make the game (alter Ego) switch to Nvidia card, and changed the default Intel HD graphics setting to Nvidia GeForce GT 420M in the game's engine file, saved it, but it didn't work - the game strill automatically switches to Intel HD graphics, running in Compatibility graphics mode (low-end HW detected) mode. Nothing I try forces it to switch to the NVidia card, and at one point in the game, half of Tim's body is cut off in the basement at the bar after the fight - I believe this is because the HD card isn't rendering the scene properly which is why I need to force the game to switch to the NVidia card - how do I force the game to switch to NVidia instead of running in compatibility graphics mode?

I've never had a laptop with switchable graphics, so I don't know any tricks to getting it to work. Maybe ask over at the Notebookreview.com forum.

It sounds like you managed to boot back into Windows 7 though, which is good to hear.

Thanks, Jenny. I didn't even know this site existed! I've just registered over there, and posted from this thread there, adding some screenshots of Alter Ego's amonaly. Do I should've went there before picking out my new laptop so that I'd avoid "buyer's regret" (not that I have it, I hope I'm going to be quite happy with my new laptop)?




Yes, I did, Jenny, but now (until I do the MS fix Inland linked to) I have to keep going into the BIOS and switching back and forth from AHCI to IDE each time I want to boot into Win 7 or XP.

That's not too bad. You'll be able to try games with Windows 7 while you're working on getting XP's drivers sorted out.

I found ***this thread*** about switchable graphics in an Acer 5745G. They mention moving the graphics selection in the BIOS from "Switchable" to "Discrete." They say it didn't work for them, but you have a newer model. Have you tried that setting in the BIOS?

I didn't even know about this. I'll give it a try tomorrow - it's bed, dreamtime and beyond here!

Yes, I have the NVidia Optimus technology - is this what you mean by I have a newer model?

I'm in the BIOS of my laptop now, but I don't see any such graphics setting in my BIOS, but there is a setting for the Network Boot: Atheros in the "boot" section of the BIOS. Right now I'm looking at the first category "information" in my BIOS, and all the listings are grayed out (printed in dark gray) and there are entries that says, "system BIOS version: v1.15" and "VGA BIOS version: NVidia VGA 70.08.19.00.04" - both are grayed out.

I'm beginning to think that while the NVidia 420M card shows up in Device Manager under Display Adapters, this may be false (a lie) and my laptop doesn't have a NVidia 3D graphics card, but when I went into the NVidia card's properties (while still in Device Manager), I clicked on the Resources Tab where it lists the Resource Settings, and below the Resource Settings window, in grayed out text it says "setting based on" with a grayed out box next to it, as well as grayed out "use automatic settings (which is already check-boxed)" with a window next to this bearing the text "change setting" inside it.

Anyone know about this and how to make it use the NVidia card rather than the Intel HD graphics card (which it was apparently set to by default)?

cruise, why don't you try posting again over at the notebook forum, but this time post in the Acer forum subject. You posted in the gaming forum subject where they talk about gaming on laptops. But your question is more of a technical question specific to your Acer notebook. Your laptop is supposed to switch to the Nvidia card when the laptop is plugged in or when you press the "P" key. Does it do that when you are not playing a game?

Maybe someone will respond to your question in the Acer forum.

I don't think you have a technical issue, but I sure hope you don't since you have already voided your warranty.

Pressing the P key does not make it switch, nor does it switch when plugged in. It remains stuck on the Intel HD graphics.

I just reposted in the Acer forum over at notebook review, and am waiting for someone to respond. I got no responses at all in the other forum that I posted in - it was like they were ignoring me.

I don't think they were ignoring you, cruise. You just asked the question in a forum where they didn't know the answer.

I hope someone in the Acer forum answers you though.

Cruise....

According to the reviews I've seen on this laptop, your graphics are supposed to automatically switch when plugged in...i.e. the lower end Intel will kick in when running on battery to conserve power, but when plugged in, the Nvidia card kicks in.

If this is not working for you, why don't you visit the Acer website, go to Support and request a live chat with one of their tech reps? They may be able to assist you. The idea of a live chat over the internet may expedite the solution to this issue. I love manufacturers that offer those!

When I first got my Asus laptop, I ran into a few bugs and issues. Visiting their support site, led me to the answers I needed...mostly in the forums....as well as warded me off from trying some things that turned some folks laptops into "bricks."

Here is a link to the Acer Technology Support page... Acer Support

Thanks, Drac.

I tried the Acer Live Chat but that person said my issue was beyond his/her scope. He/she then linked me to an AnswersByUs where I'd have to pay a fee, I hate having to pay a fee just to fix an issue, so I declined after I read the terms/conditions posted by AnswersByUs. This fee is too big for my wallet ($130 and up).