My discoveries on Vaio Z’s Hybrid Graphics

[Nautis]

	- a community thread on nvidia hybrid graphics technology -	-Latest News-
	(Our) Discoveries On VAIO Z'S HYBRID GRAPHICS	[ July.1st, 2011 ] - Added Andrews builds. [ Dec.1st, 2010 ] - Redesign emphasizing community effort. [ Nov.27th, 2010 ] - N263.00/I2022 for VPC-Z posted by thomaskc.dk.

BE AWARE: This thread was started back with the VGN-Z series in 2009. It has since been updated to include the VPC-Z1 series of 2010. With the release of the VPC-Z2 in 2011 Sony has changed the dGPU from NVIDIA to ATI and moved it outside the notebook. This thread currently applies to the NVIDIA series of Sony Vaio Z from 2009 (VGN-Z) and 2010 (VPC-Z1). We are working on updated drivers for the Z2 but they are in early testing.

**THIS POST MAY BE EXTREMELY OUTDATED. FOR THE LATEST SEE ANDREW08s POST HERE**

For VPC-Z1 series Vaio Z users wishing to use standard non-modified Intel or Nvidia drivers (without switching capability) be sure to check ComputerCowboys driver thread for BIOS Hacked systems. Note: This method requires a modified BIOs and you loose Switchable (Hybrid) Graphics capability. Meaning you can only use either the Intel GPU OR the Nvidia GPU, not both.

-=> Driver Downloads <=-

Sony Vaio Z Hybrid Graphics Drivers [ Community Built ] => USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! <=
VPC-Z Model (Z11/Z12/Z13)
Nvidia Version	Intel Version	OS Version	Download Link/Signing Status	Builder/Source
263.14 (8.17.12.6314)	2281 (8.15.10.2281)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Signed (read before installing)	Andrew08 (post #2512)
			32bit Download
263.14 (8.17.12.6314)	2266 (8.15.10.2266)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Signed (read before installing)	Andrew08 (post #2512)
			32bit Download
260.63 (8.17.12.6063)	2202 (8.15.10.2202)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Unsigned (see signing notes)	Nautis
			32bit Download *Unsigned
VGN-Z Model (Older model with Geforce 9300M GPU)
Nvidia Version	Intel Version	OS Version	Download Link/Signing Status	Builder/Source
263.08 (8.17.12.6308)	2020 (8.15.10.2020)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Signed (read before installing)	Andrew08 (post #2512)
			32bit Download
263.08 (8.17.12.6308)	1994 (8.15.10.1994)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Signed (read before installing)	Andrew08 (post #2512)
			32bit Download
260.63 (8.17.12.6063)	2020 (8.15.10.2020)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download *Unsigned (see signing notes)	Nautis
			32bit Download
191.90 (8.17.11.9190)	1994 (8.15.10.1994)	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download	Nautis
			32bit Download *Unsigned
Important Information
*Disclaimer* Community Drivers are put together using information learned from trial and error and based on community knowledge. They are packaged and modified by members of the community. If you choose to download and use these drivers you do so at your own risk. Using community drivers can result in unexpected crashes and may cause your notebook to run hotter than normal. Community Drivers do not go through the same testing process as officially released drivers and no warranty of any kind is implied. These drivers are only recommended if you are comfortable with testing and know how to handle any problems that could result from the installation of this software. Notes for Andrew08s Builds Please read Andrew08s main post for instructions, frequently asked questions, and more information on his builds! Driver Signing & Test Mode for Community Built 64bit Drivers *Required for proper functionality of unsigned drivers* 1.)Download Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider 2.)Disable UAC (Can usually be done by typing MSCONFIG in run and going to the Tools tab. You can re-enable it after installing the same way.) 3.)Run the Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider and choose "enable test mode" 4.)Reboot. (You should see Test Mode at the bottom right corner after reboot.) 5.)Run the Driver Signature Enforcement Overrider again and choose "Sign a System File" 6.)In the box type "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\nvlddmkm.sys" and click ok (do not include the quotes.) 7.)Click "Sign a System File" again and this time put "C:\Windows\System32\drivers\igdkmd64.sys" (do not include the quotes.) 8.)Reboot and all should work. Note: There is a way to remove the "Test Mode" watermark text on the desktop background but I will not link to it because it involves modified windows files. Note: I do not recommend using ReadyDriver Plus as it involves modifying the bootloader. I have had reports of people who have used it and lost data/partitions.

Sony Vaio Z Hybrid Graphics Drivers [ Official Releases ]
VPC-Z Model (Z11/Z12/Z13)
Nvidia Version	Intel Version	OS Version	Download Link	Builder/Source
190.24 (8.16.11.9024)	2021	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download	Sony
			32bit Download
188.88 (8.16.11.8880)	????	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download	Sony
			32bit Download
VGN-Z Model (Older model with Geforce 9300M GPU)
Nvidia Version	Intel Version	OS Version	Download Link	Builder/Source
187.35	1872	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download	Sony
			32bit Download
186.84	1872	Windows 7 & Windows Vista	64bit Download	Sony
			32bit Download
Important Information

-=> History of Switchable Graphics <=-

• 1st Generation - Switchable Graphics
• 2nd Generation - Hybrid Graphics
• 3rd Generation - Optimus Technology

-=> Overview <=-
NOTE: This information is copied from the old thread as a placeholder. I am going to be updating it as some of the information is inaccurate.

Nautis' Hybrid Graphics How To

Hybrid Graphics Defined (As I see it)

To better understand Hybrid Graphics let me first explain about another technology called Hybrid SLI:

Hybrid SLI is defined by Nvidia as ".. a revolutionary platform innovation that allows you to intelligently scale graphics performance by combining multiple NVIDIA graphics solutions in an SLI-Certified motherboard." It achives this using two subtechnologies called Geforce Boost and Hybrid Power. Geforce Boost as defined by Nvidia ".. turbocharges the performance of NVIDIA discrete GPUs when combined with NVIDIA motherboard GPUs." It utilizes the 3d capabilities of both Nvidia GPUs together for added performance. Hybrid Power (once again as defined by Nvidia) "..unleashes graphics performance when needed and switches to quiet, low-power quiet operation for everyday computing." It does this by basically switching off the discrete Nvidia GPU while continuing to use the motherboard GPU.

Nvidias Hybrid Graphics (aka Switchable Graphics) is a variant of Nvidias Hybrid SLI technology. Like Hybrid SLI it allows the ability to scale graphics performance by combining GPUs. What makes Hybrid Graphics different is that it uses an Intel motherboard GPU in combination with a discrete Nvidia GPU, rather than two or more Nvidia GPUs. Because it does not use two Nvidia GPUs Geforce Boost is disabled and it instead focuses on Hybrid Power. It utilizes Hybrid Power by allowing the exceptional performance of the discrete Nvidia GPU when needed and switching it off and using the Intel GPU when not needed. Most Hybrid Graphics notebooks have a way of manually switching between the Intel and Nvidia GPUs. There is not really a time when both Intel and Nvidia GPUs are utilized its usually either one or the other.

How Do The Drivers Work?

Hybrid Graphics is both a hardware and software technology. Its drivers are packaged together with Intel drivers in a way that allows the Hybrid Graphics technology to function. In order for Hybrid Graphics and GPU switching to work the drivers must be combined. The discrete Nvidia GPU will not work on its own without the Hybrid Graphics drivers while the integrated Intel motherboard GPU will. If you install Intel drivers on their own Hybrid Graphics, Switching, and the Nvidia GPU will not function properly. Part of what makes the Hybrid Graphics driver package unique is that it forces the Nvidia drivers to basically become host since they control switching.
Technically speaking there are no specialized Nvidia or Intel drivers needed for Hybrid Graphics. This does not mean however that that all Nvidia or Intel drivers will work fully with Hybrid Graphics.

-=> Community Corner - How To Build A Hybrid Graphics Driver Package <=-
NOTE: This information is copied from the old thread as a placeholder. I am going to be updating it as some of the information is inaccurate.

Identifying your graphics hardware and its Hardware ID.

Open Control Panel -> Device Manager.
Double Click "Display Adapters".
Double Click "NVIDIA Geforce….." .
Click the "Details Tab".
For Device Name: Under Property choose "Device Description". It should be the only thing there.
For Device ID: Under Property choose "Hardware IDs". It should be the one on the second line.
Note: You can easily copy the information on the details tab by right clicking and choosing copy.

Example
My Device Name: NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS
My Hardware ID: PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D

This should be all the information you need to locate your device in the INF.

Breaking down the Hardware ID

PCI\ = Connection Type (PCI Bus)
VEN_ = Vendor ID (10DE = NVIDIA)
DEV_ = Device ID (06E5 = GeForce 9300M GS)
SUBSYS_ = SubSystem ID (9025104D = Specific Sony Vaio Z hardware configuration)

Locating the sections related to your graphics hardware in the Nvidia INF.

It is usually easiest for me when modifying a driver install information file (INF) to start with the strings at the bottom.

Example

[Strings]
NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01 = "NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS"

We can see in the example this INF supports my graphics device as we have found both its Device ID and its Device Name. Now that we know this particular INF supports my graphics device we can continue.

The next and one of the most critical areas for hardware identification is located near the top under [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1].

Example

[NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1]
%NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01% = Section002, PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D

Breaking down this example

• %NVIDIA_DEV.06E5.01% = links to the [Strings] section at the bottom of the INF.
• Section002 = Tells the installer to use [Section002] for this device.
• PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5&SUBSYS_9025104D = The Hardware ID of my Vaio Z. This is the part that the INF uses to detect if this driver is appropriate for my system.

One thing to note is that if the SubSystem ID is missing or excluded the installer will use the Device ID to identify the hardware. This means if we shorten it to PCI\VEN_10DE&DEV_06E5 it will install on all NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS' with the Device ID of 06E5. This is very useful if you need to create an INF that works on more than just specific systems.

It is important to note that NTamd64.6.1 applies to Windows 7 and NTamd64.6.0 applies to Windows Vista. So the string information under them only applies to the corresponding operating system.

Moving to [Section002] we see things like AddReg, CopyFiles, DelReg and RegisterDLLs.

• AddReg = Settings that will be added to the registry when the drivers are installed.
• DelReg = Settings that will be deleted from the registry when the drivers are installed.
• CopyFiles = Files that will be copied when the drivers are installed.
• DelFiles = Files that will be deleted when the drivers are installed.
• RegisterDLLs = These will be the DLLs that will be registered when the drivers are installed.
• Feature Score = Is basically a driver rank for our purposes the most essential information is F6 = Windows Vista and E6 = Windows 7.

The strings after the equal sign are some of the final locations that we need to pay attention to. Nvidia likes to mark specific sections with numbers after the string if there is more than one section required in the INF.

Example

[Section002]
…
 AddReg = nv_miscBase_addreg__02
…
CopyFiles = nv_sysDrivers_copyfiles
…
RegisterDLLs = nv_common_registerdll__02

In this example we can see the settings under [nv_miscBase_addreg__02] will be added to the registry. The files under [nv_sysDrivers_copyfiles] will be copied to their marked locations. The DLLs under [nv_common_registerdll__02] will be registered.

One of the most important sections to pay attention to here is nv_miscBase_addreg__##. This section is where the majority of the settings that will be used specifically for your graphics hardware are located. There are usually multiple nv_miscBase_addreg__## entries because each is unique to the individual graphics hardware of which a typical INF supports many.

And with that we have the general flow of the install information file when the driver is installed. In my case using the previous examples, the flow to find the settings specific to my graphics hardware is easiest to read as:
[Strings] -> [NVIDIA_SetA_Devices.NTamd64.6.1] -> [Section002] -> [nv_miscBase_addreg__02]

Now that we have some of the basic understanding of the flow and function of the INF we can move on to some specifics.

How a Hybrid Graphics Driver Is Built

A Hybrid Graphics driver consists of four main parts.
1.) Intel Driver Files
2.) Nvidia Driver Files
3.) Hybrid Graphics INF (Which is a combined Nvidia and Intel INF with a few modifications critical to Hybrid Graphics.)
4.) And two files specific to Hybrid Graphics only: nvbridge_int.kmd File (A file unique to Hybrid Graphics. The "_int" portion refers to Intel. While the file sizes may be the same the nvbridge_int.kmd is different than nvbridge.kmd.) and nvdisp_IH.nvu (A file unique to Hybrid Graphics found in newer releases. I assume the _IH stands for Intel Hybrid. This file contains the uninstall information for the Hybrid Graphics package.)

Files Needed
nvbridge_int.kmd (usually found in officially released hybrid graphics drivers or in drivers posted to windows update catalog)
nvdisp_IH.nvu (only with old style installer 260 series and below)
nvtmmhyb.dll (may be required for windows vista capability and is usually included in the control panel installer)

The INF

The Hybrid Graphics INF is both Nvidia and Intel INFs combined into one with a few critical modifications.

The following has been added to the Hybrid Graphics INF versus the standard Nvidia and Intel INFs:

[Section###]
AddReg = nv_HelperGUID_AddReg

[nv_HelperGUID_AddReg]
HKLM, "System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NVLDDMKM", NVIDIAHelperGUID, %REG_SZ%, {9A516B97-E7C1-451B-9165-C5035994A3F5}
HKLM, "System\CurrentControlSet\Services\NVLDDMKM", SecondaryHelperGUID, %REG_SZ%, {6C4BE3D5-831A-42ED-AA62-2AEB34C8CBA4}

[iCNT0]
AddReg = nv_Hybrid_AddReg

[iILKGM0]
AddReg = nv_Hybrid_AddReg

[nv_Hybrid_AddReg]
HKR,, "DefaultHybridMode",, 1		; Default is EnergySaver

The following has been changed in the Hybrid Graphics INF versus the standard Nvidia and Intel INFs:

[nv_commonBase_addreg__##]
HKR,,UserModeDriverGUID,%REG_SZ%,"{5F507F20-AEB0-4C37-A10C-FFBDF3269C76}"

[CoInst.AddReg]
;HKR,, CoInstallers32, %REG_MULTI_SZ%, "igfxCoIn_v####.dll, CoDeviceInstall"

[CoInst.CopyFiles]
;igfxCoIn_v####.dll,igxpco64.dll,,0x00000010

[iCNT0.Services]
AddService = nvlddmkm, 0x00000002, igfx_Service_Inst

[iILKM0.Services]
AddService = nvlddmkm, 0x00000002, igfx_Service_Inst

[igfx_Service_Inst]
ServiceBinary  = %12%\nvlddmkm.sys

[igfx_SoftwareCommonSettings]
HKR,, UserModeDriverGUID,%REG_SZ%,"{5F507F20-AEB0-4C37-A10C-FFBDF3269C76}"

These are of course the major INF differences which are easily overlooked but critical to Hybrid Graphics functionality. There are other INF changes corresponding with the Hybrid Graphics specific files mentioned above. There are also other changes that are more along the lines of traditional INF driver differences.

See the INF comparisons or basic breakdown below for other differences.

Work in progress extras:
A basic 187.35 Hybrid Graphics INF breakdown can be seen here.
Some 64bit Comparisons:
File Compare: Standard Nvidia 187.66 -> Hybrid Graphics 187.35
File Compare: Standard Intel 1872 -> Hybrid Graphics 187.35
INF Compare: Standard Nvidia 187.66 -> Hybrid Graphics 187.35
INF Compare: Standard Intel 1872 -> Hybrid Graphics 187.35

Driver Extraction From Executables
In most cases drivers downloaded from companies will be in an installer or self extracting executable. There are a few ways that the drivers can be extracted from these executables. The three I use are WinRAR, 7Zip, and Universal Extractor. In some cases only one of these will extract the drivers properly from the original executable. For example:

Originally Posted by Andrew08

Nautis can you put information like how to extract sony installer in the front page so that everyone will know.

the step is:
1. download uniextract from Universal Extractor | LegRoom.net
2. install it
3. right click on any sony original driver and extract to subfolder.

- thread styling inspired by Nando4 and Justinkw1 -

[pardes3]

excellent work, can you provide this custom install package you created to us?

Thanks in advance.

[Nautis]

Originally Posted by pardes3

excellent work, can you provide this custom install package you created to us?

Thanks in advance.

Pardes3, if you mean the package with all of the latest versions I am in the process of adding the extra hybrid graphics stuff to it (see attached screenshot above) and I will post it.

[Qwaarjet]

Thank you for your work, I'm anxious to try these new drivers +1

[pardes3]

Thanks nautis, I would love to try them as well

[smart0mat]

Is it possible for you to provide a x64 version as well?

[rico83]

My first post: Hello!


Good work, looking forward to the package (or just the modified inf file is poss?)

Rico

[Nautis]

Originally Posted by smart0mat

Is it possible for you to provide a x64 version as well?

It may be possible, but I would not be able to test it. As far as I know x64 drivers have their own complications when it comes to non-certified drivers. So that is something to consider also.

Originally Posted by rico83

My first post: Hello!
Good work, looking forward to the package (or just the modified inf file is poss?)
Rico

Yeah rico it is primarily a modified inf (install) file. If you know generally what you are doing these driver packages should not be too difficult to put together. The first step being, pretty much just drop the inf file from the sony package into the benq install directory and install. Though there may be some files named slightly different. I may see if I can type up some better instructions on how to to this at a later time.

-
I hope to post the file sometime tomorrow. I am doing some final testing. I really only recommend these drivers for advanced users who can troubleshoot things to an extent on their own if they run into complications.

The interesting thing when factoring in the hybrid power portion of these drivers is that it allows for automatic switching between speed and stamina modes depending on certain scenarios (currently plugged-in or on battery). Less reliance upon the manual switch should equate to better power savings.

[SirRobin]

Thank you for your work! Should i uninstall the nvidia and intel driver first or can i start the setup during speed mode?

[Eddy2]

Wow, that looks good. Thanks for all your effort Nautis

What are the differences with the latest version available here compared to the one that comes with the Z series though? Do we know if they actually perform any better in games etc?