GT540M started running poorly

[Wozza365]

The chassis' are made by Clevo (a few models are made by other companies)

I'm unsure where you would find it but it may be on the documentation in your welcome pack

[El Wayneo]

check physx isn't on in the nvidia control panel, another guy had a similar problem the other day.

[Kai121]

Hey buddy, to find out exactly what laptop you have (the real name) go to: Start -> Run -> Type 'dxdiag'

Under 'System Manufacturer' you will get who made the laptop (Most Likely Clevo), and under 'System Model' it will tell you the exact model. Once we have this we can help you try and find the correct drivers for 'Optimus Technology'.

Also while we search can you: Start: Right clikc my computer -> Select properties -> On left hand side select 'Device Manager' -> Expand 'Display Adapters' -> Right click on Nvidia Geforce GTX 540m -> Select Properties -> Select Driver Tab and see if the 4th option down says: Enable (Click here to enable select Device).

If it does Select Enable (Dont restart yet), then go back to the Device Manager page and select your Intel Card, go through the right clikc -> Properties -> Driver Tab with that one and if it allows you disable it (ONLY IF YOU HAVE BEEN ABLE TO ENABLE THE 540M!!!).

In the scenario where for some reason both cards are on then disable the Intel Integrated card as it is probably that card being given priority.

Hope this helps!

(P.S. If you are uncomfortable making any changes to the cards could you please just check if it tells you which ones are enabled or disabled, as it would at elast help us troubleshoot your problem better! )

[PCS]

Just to add to this thread - the optimus drivers (including the drivers for the button) are located on the driver CD provided with the laptop. Try re-installing these, this may help.

[howhar]

Sorry for taking so long to reply - didn't realise a second page had started!

Here's the information:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/25/2012, 21:17:53
Machine name: SRG-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.111118-2330)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CLEVO CO.
System Model: W150HNM/W170HN
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2430M CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8106MB RAM
Page File: 4047MB used, 12163MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


With regards to physx, it is currently on Auto Select (I don't see a way to disable). Whenever I change it to the 540m and hit apply, and then exit, I go back to the dialogue box and it's gone back to auto-slect.

And to PCS, I tried installing the software on the disc, but when updating to newest gfx drivers it seems to overwrite the optimus software...

[Kai121]

Sorry for taking so long to reply - didn't realise a second page had started!

Here's the information:

------------------
System Information
------------------
Time of this report: 3/25/2012, 21:17:53
Machine name: SRG-PC
Operating System: Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_gdr.111118-2330)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: CLEVO CO.
System Model: W150HNM/W170HN
BIOS: Default System BIOS
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i5-2430M CPU @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs), ~2.4GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8106MB RAM
Page File: 4047MB used, 12163MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: Using System DPI
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Disabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 32bit Unicode


With regards to physx, it is currently on Auto Select (I don't see a way to disable). Whenever I change it to the 540m and hit apply, and then exit, I go back to the dialogue box and it's gone back to auto-slect.

And to PCS, I tried installing the software on the disc, but when updating to newest gfx drivers it seems to overwrite the optimus software...

Okay your actual model number is: Clevo W170HN
http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/e-services/Download.asp

Go to W150HNM\W150HNQ\W170HN Series for your drivers, select all to view all drivers for your model (Would suggest trying the hotkey one to see if that fixes your issue), Would also download the Nvidia Drivers from here too as these are the ones that Clevo are confirming WILL work with this laptop, yes I know the drivers are from mid last year but at least they work!

Also were you able to check if it was possible to disable the Intel graphics and set the 540M as the one to use in the steps I laid out? I think you got the wrong idea and tried to change Physx settings in the Nvidia control panel :P try following the steps in my above post and see if you can at least disable or enable either card (Dont actually do it, just see if it is possible and if you feel up to trying it follow my instructions in my post before this to force your 540M to be used!)

(P.S. @PCS, maybe see about putting this link: http://www.clevo.com.tw/en/e-services/Download.asp in a sticky along with what each laptops real model number is so if users want to find extra drivers they can get it directly from the source? I noticed someone asking if their was a Bios update for their laptop and if their ever is it would be included on these download pages

[howhar]

Sorry - I was actually replying to the previous poster with regards to the physx on the nvidia control panel.

I have a had a look at what you suggested, and currently both are enable it would appear. Obviously I'm a little reluctant to outright disable the intel integrated graphics, as to an extent the system is still running optimus. If I keep seeing the poor performance at the moment later on this afternoon after school, then I will most probably try it out regardless.

To be honest, the laptop is causing a lot of trouble - several times it has simply lost power and turned off completely (not because of heat - was checking it at the time and was running with a laptop cooler), the "VGA" button getting an error message every time I try to use it, I've just had to replace the wireless adaptor kindly sent out by PCS a couple of days ago, and now this... I've ordered a lot of PCs from PCS, and recommended about 5 people to them, and this is the first time I've ever had any major problems like this, and all of them are on this one machine...

[El Wayneo]

I would change it from auto to cpu and then in any game that you play turn the physx off in the ingame menu.

[Kai121]

Thats your problem then, as I said in my first post with both cards activated and Optimus not working properly the Intel Graphics card is taking precedence, without the Intel card running then the 540M would take presedence and at this point the optimus technology would just increase and decrease the clock rates on your 540M.

In regards to the random crashing go to Start -> Control Panel -> System and Security -> Under Administrative tools select "view event logs" -> Windows logs and select "system"

Look for yellow triangle warning signs and tell us what you see their, should hopefully tell us whats causing the crashes!

[howhar]

As an update - when I tried to disable the Intel graphics, the whole screen just went blank and wouldn't work - had to plug into external monitor using GT540m output in order to enable it again.

The crash hasn't happen for the last couple of days, but when it does, I'll be sure to post a log here.