FAQ - Nitro / Razor notebook has incorrect graphics card?

[gwendes]

Q. My notebook only reports 32/64/128Mb gfx RAM and was advertised with 265Mb 6600.

A. Flick over the switch marked 'Ext VGA' at the front. If the notebook was not purchased with an operating system you will need to load the gfx drivers again.

These notebooks in fact have two graphics adaptors.

The first is a standard onboard VGA adaptor. Intel 900 Series GMA provided by the Mainboard chipset. The second is an MXM module containing a 6600GO NVIDIA Mobile PCI express graphics.

Please note that if you buy unit without OS, you will need to install one VGA driver. then shut down, change switch, reboot and then install other adaptor. As it can only install the driver when it can see the adaptor. Once this has been done, switching between them is a smooth operation.

***edited by Danno on 17-02-2006***

[LaptopBuyer]

Last weekend I bought a Nitro 15.4" 750 without an OS. It has only been in the past couple of days that I've been able to start installing everything. The only problem I'm having at the moment is with these bloody graphics adapters.

I repeatedly gone through the process (removing old drivers beforehand) but I ALWAYS end up with two seemingly identical display adapters both called 'Mobile Intel(R) 915/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family'. It is more than a little infuriating. This is the process I’m going through, please tell me what I’m doing wrong.

1)With the 'Ext VGA' switch at off I uninstall both display adapters and restart
2) The switch is still off and I'm prompted to install new hardware, which I do for the first 'Mobile Intel(R) 915/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family' display adapter.
__NOTE: I'm then prompted to install a second adapter but I decline.
3) I switch off the laptop and move the 'Ext VGA' switch to on.
4) I power up and in XP I'm prompted to install new hardware. Despite the switch being on it again installs a 'Mobile Intel(R) 915/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family' display adapter.
5) I now have two 'Mobile Intel(R) 915/GMS,910GML Express Chipset Family' and no Geforce 6600 :x

I've tried, with the 'Ext VGA' switch on, to install the NVidia drivers supplied but I'm given the message "The NVIDIA Setup program could not locate any drivers that are compatible with your current hardware. Setup will now exit".

Please can someone provide some suggestions/answers. I haven't the available time during the day to call.

[Coops]

When the EXT VGA switch is set to off, the unit is in the mode to use the Intel VGA built in to the Chipset. There should be two devices listed in device manager for this adaptor so don't remove one of them, this will cause an issue there should be two listed. The Intel VGA controller is split in to two bits one for the TFT Panel and one part to control external VGA devices. So this is normal. Please do not decline it, make sure both are installed.
When the EXT VGA switch is set to OFF the power light in the power button is coloured BLUE. This signifies the unit is using Intel Adaptor

When you set the EXT VGA switch to ON, this will enable the unit to use the Nvidia 6600 card. The power light when this card is enabled will be green. If light is still blue it means that the system has not swapped using cards. Please power off unit and make sure that switch has moved all the way to the right to the on posistion and try again.
When this has done and the unit boots up you can then install the driver for the 6600 Card.

[LaptopBuyer]

Many thanks for the help...it has done the trick! I just had to ensure the switch was firmly push across. It was useful to learn about the correct installation process and the colour of the power light. Just as you provide info on battery care perhaps it would be an idea to include this info on a sheet of paper with Nitro / Razor notebooks?

[Coops]

I am glad this has resolved your issue and many thanks for your feedback. We will certainly consider what you have suggested.

[mark574020]

hi

could anyone tell me if it is possible to fit a graphics card into this laptop
Maxfire 15.4" WS AMD Turion 1.6

cheers

[Coops]

I'm afraid that it is not possible to add a card to this system

Regards