dv6t-61XX / dv7t-61XX Switchable Graphics Discussion

[Jerohm]

that is sad indeed. Hopefully HP will release some drivers that will re implement the feature.

So are you saying, using the driver that HP sent, if you open CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power, there still isn't a switchable Graphics option ... or just that the option is missing from the desktop->right_click menu???

[pber]

thanks, yes, the only answer HP had for me was to send it in for repair. I wasn't about to send in a one day old laptop, however. I am reluctant to order again, as I ordered the first laptop on April 19th, and now we are at June 3, and I still don't have a useable laptop. the first one was the only one that HP said they had gotten a call about failure of the Intel My Wifi to work. I and they spent MORE than 6 hours working on THAT issue. sigh. I've had a bad run of luck lately--I even got a defective Nikon camera about the same time. thankfully I have a replacement that is A-OK.

I tried to get HP to commit to building another laptop QUICKLY and sending it via the fastest method possible. They declined. In the meantime, my Amex has been charged over $2,500 for the two defective units. they bill the minute an order is made, rather than billing when the custom item is shipped. Very bad policy, IMO. I asked if they did that for non-custom orders and they responded "yes".

I have had the same experience with HP. My first laptop was pretty much screwed. So much for HP quality! Just after a day of using it, I was told to send it in for repairs. Unlike you, I was foolish enough to agree and asked for the box. Then it hit me that warranty is supposed to be on problems AFTER using it, not out of the box :|. Obviously, the only option left was an exchange.

After cancelling the repair order, I talked to 2-3 HP reps, trying to get them to get to the bottom of my problem. I thought that if I reordered the same thing, it would be the same price. Luckily, the price had gone down and I got it $50 cheaper, even after the 2-day shipping. Plus, as a bonus, it arrived within 2 weeks.

However, that being said, as a returning customer I was pretty pissed off with their service and customer support this time around. I'm pretty sure I won't be recommending HP to anyone in the near future. Heck, I was in half a mind to return this one too and go for a Dell XPS, which would have cost me $200 more, but currently I'm a bit tight on resources, so this will have to do for now. If you can shell out the dough, I would seriously suggest going for an XPS. I'm not a big Dell fan either, but they are the possible alternative I would turn to after HP.

Back on to the topic, initially I considered that automatic switching would be great. However, after seeing how much interference switching causes with the work, I think doing it manually would be the best. My drivers crash 3/10 times when I switch, so unless I'm away from a power source for long durations, I always keep the discrete card running. Plus, a 9-cell battery helps

[dave1812]

I have had the same experience with HP. My first laptop was pretty much screwed. So much for HP quality! Just after a day of using it, I was told to send it in for repairs. Unlike you, I was foolish enough to agree and asked for the box. Then it hit me that warranty is supposed to be on problems AFTER using it, not out of the box :|. Obviously, the only option left was an exchange.

After cancelling the repair order, I talked to 2-3 HP reps, trying to get them to get to the bottom of my problem. I thought that if I reordered the same thing, it would be the same price. Luckily, the price had gone down and I got it $50 cheaper, even after the 2-day shipping. Plus, as a bonus, it arrived within 2 weeks.

However, that being said, as a returning customer I was pretty pissed off with their service and customer support this time around. I'm pretty sure I won't be recommending HP to anyone in the near future. Heck, I was in half a mind to return this one too and go for a Dell XPS, which would have cost me $200 more, but currently I'm a bit tight on resources, so this will have to do for now. If you can shell out the dough, I would seriously suggest going for an XPS. I'm not a big Dell fan either, but they are the possible alternative I would turn to after HP.

Back on to the topic, initially I considered that automatic switching would be great. However, after seeing how much interference switching causes with the work, I think doing it manually would be the best. My drivers crash 3/10 times when I switch, so unless I'm away from a power source for long durations, I always keep the discrete card running. Plus, a 9-cell battery helps

I just took a look at the XPS 15. Unfortunately, both video cards available for that model are far below the performance of the radeon 6770m. But thanks for the idea. I'm open to investigating other options to getting another lemon from HP.

[JunkStory]

So are you saying, using the driver that HP sent, if you open CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power, there still isn't a switchable Graphics option ... or just that the option is missing from the desktop->right_click menu???

Yes, owners of the newest DV6/7, which comes with the 1080p screen option, are reporting that they can't find a way to switch between graphics mode.

[dave1812]

Yes, owners of the newest DV6/7, which comes with the 1080p screen option, are reporting that they can't find a way to switch between graphics mode.

that's precisely my issue. I had a 1366 screen unit, ordered April 19--graphics switched just fine. then I ordered the HD screen model, which shipped out may 27th--no way in hell to get it to use the Radeon card. HP spent many hours dialed into my PC to try to figure out what the heck to do. No joy.

[Retiredat21]

does this mean that there is no way to make use of the 6770m? it's just a sitting duck in other words? ..This is bad news

[Jerohm]

that's precisely my issue.

so CCC->preferences->Advanced View->Power->Switchable Graphics option doesn't exists anymore?

[Jerohm]

does this mean that there is no way to make use of the 6770m? it's just a sitting duck in other words? ..This is bad news

the 6770m WORKS ... you MAY not be able to force it on the battery ... that has YET to be ABSOLUTELY verified ... but might very well be true ... I don't know

[Retiredat21]

the 6770m WORKS ... you MAY not be able to force it on the battery ... that has YET to be ABSOLUTELY verified ... but might very well be true ... I don't know

well that's a relief.. I have no plans of playing games in battery.. I hope it really does work

[dave1812]

does this mean that there is no way to make use of the 6770m? it's just a sitting duck in other words? ..This is bad news

I'm saying that I, personally had a very recently built DV6 (with HD screen) that would not use the Radeon card. Having said that, I had an earlier DV6 (made a few weeks earlier, without HD screen) that worked FINE on the Radeon. the only differences were: 1) the drivers--December 2010 for the early unit, 2) the screen, 3) 1GB memory on first DV6. Second DV6 had HD screen, newer drivers, 2GB GPU memory. HP had no clue how to make my second unit switch to Radeon graphics.