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Fixing Switchable Graphics on a Laptop after Disabling Base Graphics or Re-imaging

Summary: This article provides information about resolving an issue where the video goes faulty after a re-image or disabling base graphics on a switchable graphics enabled laptop.

This article applies to This article does not apply to This article is not tied to any specific product. Not all product versions are identified in this article.
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Instructions

Are you seeing an issue with discrete graphics after disabling Optimus?

 

If you are seeing the following problem on your laptop, follow the solution guide below.

If you have disabled the integrated or UMA graphic in Device Manager > Display Adapters, to get better video performance. A yellow bang appears against the discrete graphic card with an error message like Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems (Code 43). The external displays, if you have one installed, stop working simultaneously. If you shut down or restart the laptop, the fault continues.

switching video

 
Note: This failure symptom can also be seen if the laptop has been re-imaged. However, the integrated or UMA graphic driver was not installed prior to installing the discrete graphics driver.
 
Note: Ensure that the integrated or UMA graphic driver is installed prior to the discrete graphics driver (both installed).
 

Follow these steps:

  1. Enable the integrated or UMA graphic from Device Manager > Display Adapters and then reboot as it can bring the laptop back to the previous working state.

  2. Ensure that performance and power-saving optimization is set correctly.

    • For laptops with NVIDIA discrete graphics - Enable or Disable the Optimus option by pressing the F2 key and going into the BIOS setup > Video > Optimus.

    • For laptops with AMD discrete graphics - Select the option for Powersaving/Performance within the Control Panel > Catalyst Control Center(CCC) > Start. 

 


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Affected Products

G Series, Alienware, Inspiron, Latitude, Vostro, XPS
Article Properties
Article Number: 000134603
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 30 Aug 2024
Version:  5
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