If your issue was strictly switching the Graphics from the Intel to the Nvidia....that's a feature of the basic laptop. You shouldn't have to pay if something isn't working...since you're still under warranty.

You didn't ask about your XP operating install etc did you? The website says that they do not support installation of OS other than what came installed on the laptop.

Did you just ask the basic question about the graphics?

Yes, I asked only about the graphics non-switching - nothing about the XP install at all.

My issue was strictly switching from Intel graphics to NVidia graphics - otherwise everything else works fine.

Then if it isn't working....this should be under warranty support. I would try again with a different tech and keep it simple.

"My switchable graphics is not working. It appears to be stuck in Intel, even when plugged in. Can you assist?

Thanks, JK. I got better results, got a toll free # to call where I have to ask to speak with a level 2 agent about my issue and it's free. Will call tomorrow. But we live in Pittsburgh,Pa. What would 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. central time be in our area?

Central time is one hour earlier, Cruise. So that would be 9 am to 9 pm eastern time.

Just checked my post in the Acer forum at laptopreviews - still no replies. might they be stumped?

Whatever you do, don't say anything about the fact that you have voided your warranty by installing XP. If you have to send it back, you will probably be completely out of luck.

I sure hope they can help you out tomorrow... Good luck and let us know what happens.

Thanks, Drac. Will keep you posted on what happens. Just checked over at notebookreview and saw that I got 1 reply (which I just responded to) after using JKeerie's suggestion of how to ask for help - I think since I was wording my thread topic wrong (by using the same words I used for this thread's topic,) people either got confused or didn't know how to respond, so as a result I didn't get any replies before.

The individual at NotebookReview didn't give you much of an answer, just some blather about the Optimus technology. None of which addressed your question. However, I found this in a review...

THEN I found a white paper on Nvidia's Optimus Technology that says there are some applications that block switchable graphics which do not use Optiums (as in your laptop), such as 3D games. Some limitations of regular switchable graphics:

*Manual Mode Changes – Every time a switch between integrated and discrete graphics mode is desired, the user needs to manually change the setting. If users forget to enable the GPU before launching a game for example, they need to quit the game and enable the GPU before re-launching the application.
*Transition time – Due to the multiplexer and driver load and unload process, there is typically a delay of 5 to 10 seconds or more to switch between integrated graphics and the discrete GPU.
*Blocking Applications – Often applications “block” a mode switch. 3D and video applications and games like Solitaire and Minesweeper would cause a block. Each must be closed before the system will permit switching between the integrated graphics and the GPU. If users forget to close a 3D or video application, they often would not realize the graphics mode did not change back to integrated graphics as expected.
*Screen Flicker – As the system switches between the integrated graphics and discrete GPU, the screen flickers due to the driver load time and multiplexers. This can be an annoyance or cause panic as users might assume there is a problem with the system.

Ok, everyone - the level 2 Acer tech said that my laptop isn't made to use the NVidia GPU, it'll only switch if I plug in a external monitor into my HDMI port, otherwise it'll remain stuck at the Intel HD graphics integrated chipset when I play 3D games on the laptop's attached LCD screen, also my laptop is not able to switch to nvidia when plugged in, so - it looks like I'm going to return the laptop for a full refund and ask here at GB as well as at notebookreviews on what's the best gaming laptop (other than an alienware) to buy for my $$$$.

I've already contacted the ebay seller, stating I'm not happy with my laptop and would like to return it for a full refund.

Drac, CYPM, please.

Well, then, Cruise. It appears to be terribly disingenuous of Acer to market a laptop as having a graphics card that can only be accessed under conditions for which you would normally not use a laptop. If one wanted to be tethered to an external monitor, why not simply purchase a much less expensive desktop.

Now, did you alter the laptop in any way...that is your XP install? If so, the seller may refuse to accept it for a full refund.

I'm going to do some checking. This is NOT the way this laptop is advertised to work. Nor do any of the reviews I've read mention it. Either the eBay seller sold her something that isn't correct, she made a mistake or she was lied to by the level 2 Acer tech.

We told cruise she would be voiding her warranty, but she went ahead anyway. Even removing all the alterations will not help.

You're right, Drac. The original seller's posting indicated the Nvidia Graphics card only...at least I didn't see anything regarding switchable graphics.

Go back and see if you can get a different llevel 2 tech ask the same question.... and state that this is not the way it is advertised... it says it switches when unplugged to save power... it does not say you have to have it connected to a monitor.. the purpose of a laptop is just that lap!

edit..yea ,, but then it should be using the nvidia ???

Neither did I. When I read the specs, I was led to believe this laptop uses the NVidia graphics card right off the bat as soon as it boots into the OS.

They call it switchable graphics, but it's really a technology that optimizes battery life - hence the name Optimus. Your laptop does NOT appear to be operating correctly as far as that dedidated Nvidia graphics card. And it sounds to me like it never did since that was one of the first questions you asked after you got it.

OK, here is a description of cruise02's laptop that I trust from Amazon. I simply don't have a good feeling for these eBay sellers that post specifications in 2 foot tall letters etc. Read the video specs carefully. This particular one DOES use the Optimus technology which is intended to extend battery life by using the lower power integrated graphics when the laptop is not plugged in. When plugged in, it automatically switches to the dedicated Nvidia graphics. Something is VERY stinky in Denmark.

Acer Laptop Specs

Cruise, that level 2 tech lied to you. As JK says, this laptop absolutely does NOT require connection to an exterior monitor to use the dedicated Nvidia graphics.

I'm sure you said you'd checked in the Device Manager to be sure the drivers were up to date for the Nvidia card, right? I just hope when you first said you disabled the integrated video in your first post, that you didn't mess something up with the dedicated card.

This is way beyond my knowledge, so hopefully Jenny or Inland can get this sorted out. But I'm still quite disturbed that this Acer tech would lie like that.

Aww - I believed that tech, and I just contacted the seller stating I want to return it for a refund - what am I supposed to do at this point?

Drac....that same white paper states the following:

NVIDIA Optimus Technology delivers great battery life and great performance, in a way that simply works. It automatically and instantaneously uses the best tool for the job – the high performance NVIDIA GPU for GPU-Compute applications, video, and 3D games; and low power integrated graphics for applications like Office, Web surfing, or email.
The result is long lasting battery life without sacrificing great graphics performance, delivering an experience that is fully automatic and behind the scenes.
When the GPU can provide an increase in performance, functionality, or quality over the IGP for an application, the NVIDIA driver will enable the GPU. When the user launches an application, the NVIDIA driver will recognize whether the application being run can benefit from using the GPU. If the application can benefit from running on the GPU, the GPU is powered up from an idle state and is given all rendering calls.
Using NVIDIA‟s Optimus technology, when the discrete GPU is handling all the rendering duties, the final image output to the display is still handled by the Intel integrated graphics processor (IGP). In effect, the IGP is only being used as a simple display controller, resulting in a seamless, flicker-free experience with no need to reboot.
When less critical or less demanding applications are run, the discrete GPU is powered off and the Intel IGP handles both rendering and display calls to conserve power and provide the highest possible battery life.
The beauty of Optimus is that it leverages

This seems to indicate that the Intel processor handdles the image even though the Nvidia card is working. Are we so certain that it isn't working?

And I do agree with you, Drac. Two inch tall letters just plain scare me!

Try to talk to another Acer tech and tell them that this laptop does NOT require the use of an exterior monitor to enable the dedicated graphics card. The seller probably won't take it back anyway. You are most likely going to be stuck with Acer. And with a voided warranty, I just can't say what will happen. You won't fool them like you think you can.

EDIT: I didn't read that far down in that white paper, JK. Hmmm... maybe cruise's dedicated graphics IS being used, just not like she (or probably me) for that would think that it should work?

Take a peek at a Toshiba 3DV5, I just picked up a 3DV8 (it's bigger brother) but the 3DV5 seems to be fairly comparable to your Acer model.

They're Satellite’s, not laptops - but considering what I paid for it, I'm happy.

At this point I wouldn't want an Acer laptop -- especially not one with switchable graphics. You know the switchable graphics are not working as intended, so there may be a hardware problem. And then either Acer tech support lied to you or the laptop is not as it was advertised.


I was wondering that myself. It seems to be what the guy at ***Notebookreview*** meant by

But if missing parts of people is what the Nvidia is going to produce, and driver choice is limited by the integration with the Intel, this laptop doesn't seem like a good choice for gaming.

Inland and Jenny, what do you think of the discussion of how cruise's graphics is working or not working, as the case may be? Could it be what this white paper I found says, that the integrated graphics is still handling the imaging even thought the dedicadated graphics card is being used? Could it be that her graphics are working just fine? It uses this Nvidia Optiums technology that indicates it is more of a coordination between the integrated and dedicated graphics.

I'm totally confused and this tech and her lying has made things even worse.

Editing while you're editing: That would explain what that guy said. I'm also wondering now if cruise tried turning down some of the graphics options in the game that would help?

You posted as I was adding to my post.
I don't think it's working "just fine" because the graphics are not rendering characters properly. But it may be working. Of course Cruise02 did say...

So if it were using the Nvidia, why would it give a message about using low-end graphics?


It's hard to believe a tech would say you had to attach the laptop to a monitor in order to use the 3D graphics. Who would want to buy the laptop if that was the case?


I don't know if the game has graphics options, but Cruise02 could check. Even if it worked, it wouldn't solve the problem of the game not using Nvidia graphics for 3D applications like games when it should (assuming it's still giving the message about "using HD video (low-end graphics)".

I don't think any of us anticipated this problem with switchable graphics.


Is that a laptop with a 3D screen, Inland?

Thanks, Jenny. Could all this confusion be because of cruise's "successful fix" which got the characters to show up? Could it have kicked in the HD graphics? She said this HD message showed up after she did this "fix." I wonder what would happen if she returned these levels back to default. I'm probably showing my lack of knowledge here!! From Cruise's post (which may have gone unnoticed as it was in a 7 month old thread)...

There's no graphics options in Alter Ego's menu. Again, since I already contacted the seller stating I want to return it for a full refund (and considering the fact that I voided the warranty but did not tell the seller this) what should I do now?

I already told Mom about returning the laptop and getting another one, and she told me "that's why she doesn't like to buy computers off the internet, b/c if something goes wrong with it, you can't take it back, whereas if you buy it from a local store, if there's a problem with the computer, we can take it back to the store to return it for a full refund/exchange it/get it fixed, and Mom said she doesn't like to buy computers made in Japan/Tiwan, she'd rather buy an American-made gaming laptop, but when I checked the websites of Office Max/Office Depot for gaming laptops, I only get listings for laptop stands/accessories and the laptops on best buy's website only have Intel HD graphics, the only gaming laptops Best Buy has to offer are the expensive Alienware models.

So what can I do now?