Laptop OpenGL Troubleshooting Guide - Look Here Before Posting!!!

[plutomaniac]

This thread is an attempt to make a comprehensive guide to all problems that might arise when it comes to laptops with AMD dedicated and Intel HD embedded graphics cards. If you have something to add or if you think some information should be updated please do so HERE.

On OpenGL and Switchable Graphics:

Spoiler below!

What is AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics? Imagine your computer smartly throttling between a powerful discrete GPU and the more efficient on-board graphics. It is very handy, especially when you’re on the road and trying to conserve battery power. That said, an issue has been noted with some software that uses OpenGL – as opposed to DirectX – for 3D graphics rendering. Basically, the AMD drivers that enable dynamic switching will not perform during OpenGL calls. If you read the fine print on their page, you'll see that:

Quote:[...]With AMD Dynamic Switchable Graphics technology, full enablement of all discrete graphics video and display features may not be supported on all systems (e.g. OpenGL applications will run on the integrated GPU or the APU as the case may be).

Note: By changing the AMD Catalyst settings, nothing will change when it comes to OpenGL gaming. As stated by AMD: OpenGL applications are not supported.

Have Disk Method

HP Specifics
Dell Specifics
Acer Specifics
Toshiba Specifics
Sony Specifics
Lenovo Specifics
Asus Specifics

Note: Other manufacturers will be added soon if needed and requested.

[plutomaniac]

Have Disk Method:

1a) Download the latest drivers (zip) for your Intel HD 2000/3000/2500/4000 card making sure to select your operating system correctly first.

or

1b) Download the latest drivers (zip) for your Intel Graphics Media Accelerator HD card making sure to select your operating system correctly first.



2) Extract the zip file somewhere, location does not matter.

3) Right click Computer and select Manage. On the left select Device Manager.

4) Click Display Adapters and then Intel HD Graphics (or similar name).

5) Right click Intel HD Graphics and select "Update Driver Software...".

6) Select "Let me pick from a list of device drivers on my computer".

7) Click the Have Disk Button.



8) Navigate to where you extracted the zip file at step 2 and go into the directory labeled "Graphics".

9) Select the file named "igdlh.inf" for 32-bit(x86) or "igdlh64.inf" for 64-bit(x64) drivers.



10) Click Open, OK and then Next.

11) Wait for the drivers to be installed.

12) After successfully updating you Intel HD Graphics drivers click Close.



13) Reboot your computer and your drivers should now be updated.

[plutomaniac]

HP Specifics:

When it comes to HP, you have to do two things in order to play and run OpenGL games/applications on the dedicated AMD card. You must have the BIOS as well as the AMD drivers updated.

Types of switchable graphics used on HP notebook PCs:

Spoiler below!

Depending on the model, HP notebooks with switchable graphics will operate in one of two modes, Fixed Mode or Dynamic Mode. Dynamic Mode switchable graphics were introduced in HP notebook PCs because it preserves maximum battery life and is configurable based on your preferences. Dynamic Mode enables the notebook to use both the integrated and discrete graphics processors without restarting or resetting the display. Fixed Mode graphics require users to change the power state of the PC to enable the higher or lower power processor.

Dynamic Switchable Graphics: OpenGL applications cannot be configured to use the discrete GPU:

Spoiler below!

When configuring the Dynamic Switchable Graphics in the Catalyst Control Center, the notebook does not permit any OpenGL applications to be associated with the Discrete (dGPU) or high-performance GPU. The OpenGL applications will work using the power-saving or Integrated GPU (iGPU) but the performance levels may be lower than expected.
OpenGL is not supported on the Discrete GPU when using the Dynamic Switchable Graphics feature. To enable dGPU support for OpenGL applications, you must disable the Dynamic Switchable Graphics feature and turn on the Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics feature.

For DV6 and DV7 series notebooks: Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics is only available in BIOS version F.1.A (sp54024) or later. To support Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics, the AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver version 8.830.6.2000 (sp53025) or later must be installed.

For Envy 14 series notebooks: Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics is only available in BIOS version F.06 (sp54022) or later.

Complete the following steps to enable Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics on the notebook PC:

1) For DV6 and DV7 series notebook PCs: Download and install the latest version of the AMD High-Definition Graphics Driver (version 8.830.6.2000 or later) from hp.com.

Note: It is not required to update the AMD Graphics Driver for Envy 14 series notebook PCs.

2)

For DV6 and DV7 series notebook PCs: Download and install the latest HP Notebook System BIOS Update ( version F.1A REV: A or later ) for the notebook PC.

For Envy 14 series notebook PCs: Download and install the latest HP Notebook System BIOS Update ( version F.06 ) for the notebook PC.

3) In the F10 Bios Setup , use the arrow keys to navigate to the System Configuration screen.

4) Change the Switchable Graphics Mode setting to Fixed.

5) Save and Exit the F10 Setup menu.

After restarting the notebook PC, the ATI Catalyst Control center will provide the option to change the current GPU from high-performance or power-saving manually.

Error "No AMD graphics driver is installed" may appear after changing the BIOS setting to Dynamic Mode

Spoiler below!

If the notebook PC is using Fixed Mode Switchable Graphics and is configured to the power-saving or iGPU setting and then shutdown and changed to the Dynamic Switchable Graphics in the F10 Setup, the following error message may appear after the notebook has restarted:

Quote:No AMD graphics driver is installed

After the error appears, the display resolution will be reset to 800x600.
To prevent this issue, ensure that the notebook is using the High-Performance (dGPU) in the Catalyst Control Center before shutting down Windows and changing to Dynamic Switchable Graphics in F10 Setup.
To fix this problem after the error message appears use the following steps:

1) Click Start , type Device Manager and click Device Manager .
2) Click the plus sign (+) to expand the Display Adapters.
3) Right-click the Radeon ™ HD (AMD graphic adapter) and select Enable .
4) Restart the PC when prompted.

After restarting, the error message will not be displayed and the display resolution will be set properly.

HP Files Sample Links:

Spoiler below!

Note: These files are just samples to get an idea of what you need to search for your own HP laptop model. Do not use these at first hand. First, you must always check for the new bios and graphics driver on the support page of your specific HP laptop model.

BIOS vF.1A for DV6 and DV7 series notebook PCs
BIOS vF.06 for Envy 14 series notebook PCs
AMD Driver v8.830.6.2000 for DV6 and DV7 series notebook PCs only

[plutomaniac]

Dell Specifics:

When it comes to Dell, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Dell has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.

[plutomaniac]

Acer Specifics:

When it comes to Acer, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Acer has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.

[plutomaniac]

Toshiba Specifics:

When it comes to Toshiba, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Toshiba has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.

[plutomaniac]

Sony Specifics:

When it comes to Sony, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Sony has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.

[plutomaniac]

Lenovo Specifics:

When it comes to Lenovo, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Lenovo has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.

[plutomaniac]

Asus Specifics:

When it comes to Asus, you have to use the "Have Disk Method" in order to play Amnesia on the embedded Intel HD Graphics card.

Asus has not released a solution for running OpenGL at the AMD card so Intel HD only.