Modded 197.16 Hybrid Graphics Driver for UL30/50/80VT

[jordanpatrick]

I don't have anything enlightening to add to this thread, or the work you guys are doing, but I appreciate it. Thanks for working on updating these drivers!

[lotsabs]

As for lotsabs non-working OpenGL using my modified 197.16 hybrid driver, it seems to be working on mine. GPU Caps Viewer detects OpenGL 3.2 and GLSL 1.50 when using Nvidia, and I can run all the OpenGL demos there just fine. When in Intel mode, it detects OpenGL 2.1 and GLSL 1.20, and it can only run a little less than half of the OpenGL demos, and much slower than the Nvidia of course. I'm not sure why OpenGL was not working on lotsabs' notebook, but it should work unless the OpenGL files weren't copied properly. A clean installation (uninstall old drivers and run DriverSweep, etc.) with version 3 of my modified INF will hopefully fix that if you still want to try updating to the modified 197.16 driver.

Thanks itaru. I too have been quite busy at the office and have not had the time to try anything else except scanning the forums since downgrading back to the orig Asus driver set. Hopefully over the next few days, I will get some time to give it another go. I'll post my results. Thanks again to all involved in this process.

[Nautis]

Sorry for missing in action these last few days. I've been busy with work this week but I still lurk here. Quite a lot of development going on with the hybrid and Optimus drivers. Keep up the good work guys!

I haven't had a chance to do anything more with updating the Nvidia part, but I did try updating the Intel drivers to the latest 2104. I've managed to install my modded Nvidia 197.16 + Intel 2104 on my UL80VT, but whenever I switch to Intel I just get a black screen and can't switch back. I guess it's due to the LVDS Muxing problem that Nautis mentioned a while back. Oh, I didn't have to sign the drivers to get Windows to install the modified driver even with the Intel updated. All I did was use the igdlh.cat file from Intel driver 2104 instead of the original nvmvam.cat file in the modified INF and that did the trick.

I tried reverting just the igdkmd64.sys file to the original driver (1855) while keeping all the rest of the Intel files from version 2104, and I could switch to Intel and back again to Nvidia successfully. Unfortunately, the Intel graphics lost all hardware acceleration (no Aero, DirectX, Direct3D, etc.). At the moment I've given up on getting the Intel 2104 drivers to work on my UL80VT, and have gone back to my stable modified 197.16 hybrid driver.

As for lotsabs non-working OpenGL using my modified 197.16 hybrid driver, it seems to be working on mine. GPU Caps Viewer detects OpenGL 3.2 and GLSL 1.50 when using Nvidia, and I can run all the OpenGL demos there just fine. When in Intel mode, it detects OpenGL 2.1 and GLSL 1.20, and it can only run a little less than half of the OpenGL demos, and much slower than the Nvidia of course. I'm not sure why OpenGL was not working on lotsabs' notebook, but it should work unless the OpenGL files weren't copied properly. A clean installation (uninstall old drivers and run DriverSweep, etc.) with version 3 of my modified INF will hopefully fix that if you still want to try updating to the modified 197.16 driver.

The last working version of the Intel drivers for Hybrid Graphics that don't give the black screen issue is 1994 (which were part of the M11x drivers). I have uploaded them to my server here. You will need to sign the package if you use these.

Its interesting because the new model Vaio Z includes Intel 2021 and it works fine for them. We have gotten Nvidia 197.16 working on it but all Intel drivers (the 2000 series) seem to give the same black screen issue. If you plug your notebook into VGA everything works fine on that display.

It almost has to be something to do with the mux because the standard Intel drivers work fine if installed by themselves (disabling Hybrid Graphics of course). So it is something about the Intel drivers in the Hybrid Graphics configuration.

I have a ton of resources and Information on Hybrid Graphics and modding in general so if you guys need anything just ask. There is a great tool that I know of which shows the settings the files contain. I highly suggest reading the Optimus Whitepaper (here) because it contains a ton of information on how Hybrid Graphics works.

[lod0106]

Thanks itaru!!!
Could i share the files nvmvam_inf_v3.zip for Taiwan`s forum??

[lotsabs]

The last working version of the Intel drivers for Hybrid Graphics that don't give the black screen issue is 1994 (which were part of the M11x drivers). I have uploaded them to my server here. You will need to sign the package if you use these.

Its interesting because the new model Vaio Z includes Intel 2021 and it works fine for them. We have gotten Nvidia 197.16 working on it but all Intel drivers (the 2000 series) seem to give the same black screen issue. If you plug your notebook into VGA everything works fine on that display.

It almost has to be something to do with the mux because the standard Intel drivers work fine if installed by themselves (disabling Hybrid Graphics of course). So it is something about the Intel drivers in the Hybrid Graphics configuration.

I have a ton of resources and Information on Hybrid Graphics and modding in general so if you guys need anything just ask. There is a great tool that I know of which shows the settings the files contain. I highly suggest reading the Optimus Whitepaper (here) because it contains a ton of information on how Hybrid Graphics works.

Thx Nautis. I look forward to reading the white paper. BTW I want to thank you, Itaru, o8x8 and all the others contributing to these projects.

[itaru]

The last working version of the Intel drivers for Hybrid Graphics that don't give the black screen issue is 1994 (which were part of the M11x drivers). I have uploaded them to my server here. You will need to sign the package if you use these.

Thanks for the link to the 1994 Intel drivers. When I have some time I'll do more experimentation with it.

Thanks itaru!!!
Could i share the files nvmvam_inf_v3.zip for Taiwan`s forum??

No problem, share away.

If someone is willing to host the complete modified 197.16 hybrid driver somewhere, it would be appreciated. That way people won't have to do steps 1-8 to create the modified driver, and can just download the driver and install it on their VT notebook right away.

[Nautis]

Thanks for the link to the 1994 Intel drivers. When I have some time I'll do more experimentation with it.

Of course. Modders stick together. Note: I stripped these from the Dell/Alienware M11x Drivers, they are just the intel files. No cat, no inf.

If someone is willing to host the complete modified 197.16 hybrid driver somewhere, it would be appreciated. That way people won't have to do steps 1-8 to create the modified driver, and can just download the driver and install it on their VT notebook right away.

Ask and you shall receive.

Unofficial Win 7 64bit [Nvidia: 197.16 | Intel: 1855 ] for Asus_UL3/5/80VT
- Full Package
- INF based on Itarus v3 with additional extras by Nautis
- DriverVer still same as the original for compatibility sake (has anyone tried to adjust this after install?) [ DriverVer = 08/28/2009, 8.15.11.8688 ]
Note: Due to DriverVer being the same as the original the device manager and some software may identify the drivers as 8.15.11.8688. Check Nvidia Control Panel System Information for correct driver versions.

Will need testing and confirmation this package works as I don't have an Asus.

[o8x8]

Status:
Itaru's mod inf and 197.16 working fine on win7 x64
For the missing 1680x1050 resolution on hdmi monitor, seems ok after adding to registry
NV_Modes
64 1680x1050x32
Also I installed monitor's inf, then the native resolution showed up.

The u30jc 189.64 driver behaved the same with Nautis' inf (ie, demo displayed). with original inf it's not installing even after the device id updated in the inf.

[Nautis]

Status:
Itaru's mod inf and 197.16 working fine on win7 x64
For the missing 1680x1050 resolution on hdmi monitor, seems ok after adding to registry
NV_Modes
64 1680x1050x32
Also I installed monitor's inf, then the native resolution showed up.

The u30jc 189.64 driver behaved the same with Nautis' inf (ie, demo displayed). with original inf it's not installing even after the device id updated in the inf.

Great stuff o8x8. Many of the newer drivers seem to have all the proper files and things for Optimus but in testing none of them seem to work with Optimus on Hybrid Graphics. I will have to let everyone know about 189.64.

There is a setting "DisableHybridMux" but I am not 100% where it actually goes.

[Po$er]

I can confirm similar results (special thanks to Nautis, o8x8, and of course Itaru) for Optimus on the Ul30vt-a1 as found on the M11x and Ul80vt:

- Both nvidia and Intel devices are *enabled* in device manager and 3d graphics will render with watermark/overlay

- Power consumption does seem to fluctuate based on graphic intensity of application (from ~11.2 to 16.1 based on batterycare meter) indicating a switch processing the load from discrete to integrated. However, and this is the caveat I find interesting, even while battery care is displaying minimal consumption (11.2 mW) runtime seems to be significantly truncated.

- Graphix boost, P4G and other power managment switching functions are not operational

-Cuda, OpenCL and OpenGL are all supported and tested.

-PhysX is supposedly supported, however, I can not confirm as I am getting errors with fluidmark (side by side app error).

I have temporarily rolled back to hybrid pkg 197.16 because of my needs for battery stability... but will try optimus pkg again during the weekend for more data and observation