Alienware Laptop does not detect its discrete video cards

The Alienware M17x R3, R4, M18x R1, R2, Alienware 14, 17, and 18 have an integrated graphics adapter for energy-efficient video, especially when running on battery.

Cause information is not available.

This mode can be set manually using the following information:

1. Pressing [Fn]+[F7] (for Alienware M17x R3, R4, M18x R1, R2) and [Fn]+[F5] (for Alienware 14, 17, 18) in the Windows desktop, and restarting the computer when requested.
2. It is automatically set whenever the computer is started in battery mode (not connected to a plugged AC Adapter) and systems equipped with nVidia Optimus Technology (Integrated gpu + 1 NVIDIA Discrete gpu).

When the Alienware M17x R3, R4, R5 (Running an ATI Discrete Video card) & M18x R1, R2, R3 running SLI / Crossfire (Dual Discrete Video cards) or Single ATI GPU, mobile system is running on Integrated graphics card mode, Windows' Device Manager only shows the Intel HD Graphics as the Alienware Mobile current video adapter.

To use all the Alienware M17x R3, R4, R5 & M18x R1, R2, R3 video adapters, you must switch the computer to Discrete mode. To do so, follow the next procedure:

1. Connect the Alienware M17x R3, R4, R5, or M18x R1, R2, R3 to its AC Adapter. Then, connect the AC adapter to a wall outlet.
2. Press [Fn]+[F7] or [Fn]+[F5] to switch from integrated graphics mode to discrete graphics mode. Restart the computer when requested.

If your system still appears to have the Discrete video turned off or missing look at Windows Device Manager. Under the Display Adapters section, you should see the discrete card (ATI/NVidia), if none are listed check in the BIOS Setup and ensure it is detected there. You can also change the primary display at the Advance Tab and choose PEG/SG.

Picture1: Discrete Graphics not Detected / Enabled


Picture 2: Discrete graphics detected / Enabled and Integrated graphics disabled.

Note: If the [FN]+[F7] or [Fn]+[F5] does not work, uninstall and reinstall the On-Screen Display Driver (OSD Driver) using the latest version available at the Drivers & Downloads section.

If you still cannot enable the Discrete graphics, you can try flashing/updating the system BIOS to the same or latest version. Look under the Drivers & Downloads section of your system BIOS and run it. Dell BIOS Updates.

Tip: If after running the BIOS update, your system does not boot, check if your system was built with RAID, and set it up and the BIOS menu then it boots up again.

See these Dell Knowledge Base articles for related information:

• How to Set NVIDIA Video as the Default with Computers that have Integrated and Discrete Video Cards
• Disconnecting Alienware Graphics Amplifier Will Cause the LCD to Turn Black