Windows 8.1 not using dedicated graphics card

[Mohamed Dhif]

I just bought a new laptop (hp pavilion 15-p212nk) and after installing all the drivers , games and application won't launch and an error message prompts saying "this system doesn't have the minimum requirements" (apparently because the video memory is set to 0 Mb as seen in the last screenshot)
I reinstalled all the drivers , both from hp and nvidia and even changed the operating system back to windows 7.
GPU-Z is detecting the graphics card with no problems but windows is using the integrated intel gpu.
These are the gpu-z screenshot : http://i.imgur.com/uGYVG4N.gif
http://i.imgur.com/7hBI9t4.gif
Here's another screenshot from the advanced settings of the graphics card (sorry it's in french)
http://i.imgur.com/gBC2lUi.jpg

 

[RCoon]

Sounds like Nvidia Optimus is not doing it's job. It automatically switches from one display adapter to another depending on load for saving power. I'm not knowledgeable on the matter, but I've hard similar issues.

 

[jboydgolfer]

if it IS indeed optimus (which im guessing is a type of program that saves on power by detecting rendering requirements and uses the appropriate adapter) , i wonder if it would help to Roll back to an older driver that either doesn't have optimus, or has an older version ...rollbacks have worked in weirder situations for Me in the past.

Also, I wonder if setting the Power scheme to its Highest draw profile would help?(in windows)

Good luck

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

I'm downloading optimus right now but i tried setting the power draw the the highest profile and it didn't do anything.
I actually want to know how to set my dedicated card to be used all the time .

 

[rtwjunkie]

I would think you should be able to do that in the BIOS just like a desktop motherboard. Are you able to access the BIOS on your laptop?

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

I can access the bios but i didn't find anything related to the graphics card in there.

 

[Mussels]

i've dealt with this on the AMD side of the fence mostly, but its definitely drivers - you cant use regular generic ones, find the ones the laptop was meant to use initially for both the nvidia and IGP.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

the drivers i've downloaded are all from hp's official website . Do you think i should look for older ones ?

 

[Mussels]

the drivers i've downloaded are all from hp's official website . Do you think i should look for older ones ?

the official HP ones should be enough, did you make sure the intel ones are correct as well?

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

Yes , as I said I tried all available drivers from the manufacturers but nothing has made the nvidia card the primary card .
Should I downgrade from windows 8.1 to windows 7 ? Last time I tried I didn't find compatible drivers for most of the components that work with windows 7.
Also , can it be a hardware issue ?

 

[Shou Miko]

If I remember correct Nvidia Optimus is reading in the background to see what ur programs are doing and if they ain't required a lot of workload like a game is, the Nvidia Graphic will stay sleeping.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

The problem is that when i try installing games before the installation even starts i get the error saying "this system doesn't have the minimum requirements".
That's what i'm trying to figure out.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

Can someone please do me a favor ? I need a screenshot from a normal person's laptop to see the difference between his and mine :
go to the desktop and right click and go to screen resolution.
then select advanced options and do take a screenshot of what you get or at least tell me if you see the intel gpu or the your dedicated gpu.

 

[Mussels]

The problem is that when i try installing games before the installation even starts i get the error saying "this system doesn't have the minimum requirements".
That's what i'm trying to figure out.

that may well be an unsolvable problem, as the system is not going to activate the dedicated GPU for an installer.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

Unsolvable problem ? what am i supposed to do then ? pretend that I don't have a graphics card ??
Are you sure there's nothing else I can do ?

 

[CJCerny]

Load the factory image back on the laptop and see if the problem persists.

 

[Caring1]

I just bought a new laptop (hp pavilion 15-p212nk) and after installing all the drivers...

Why would you have to install all the drivers in a new Laptop?
They should be installed already.

 

[Mussels]

Unsolvable problem ? what am i supposed to do then ? pretend that I don't have a graphics card ??
Are you sure there's nothing else I can do ?

I'm saying the problem could be with the specific game you're trying to install.

 

[Easo]

Load the factory image back on the laptop and see if the problem persists.

This.
HP computers have recovery partition with full system image (unless you did clear install), plus there also should be DVD with it.

 

[dorsetknob]

Before installing your game run a graphics intensive program to force the laptop to switch graphics while it is running try installing your game

for example run 3dmark (mid run start your game install )

 

[NightOfChrist]

The problem is that when i try installing games before the installation even starts i get the error saying "this system doesn't have the minimum requirements".
That's what i'm trying to figure out.

It would be helpful if you mention what game(s) you were trying to install. We all can go from there. I can explain a lot about Optimus because I am familiar with it but until I know what game(s) you were trying to install unfortunately I cannot decide what to do to help you.

By default, your GT 840M does not run because Optimus disables it to save power, hence the zero load you saw on GPU-Z. You can right-click the installation exe file, usually the "setup.exe", and choose "run with graphics processor -> High-performance NVIDIA processor" and see if the game installation detects your discrete graphics. But if it fails, please consider my advice. I am working a photo project right now but I can spare a few minutes in this forum this evening, so please reply as soon as you can.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

It would be helpful if you mention what game(s) you were trying to install. We all can go from there. I can explain a lot about Optimus because I am familiar with it but until I know what game(s) you were trying to install unfortunately I cannot decide what to do to help you.

By default, your GT 840M does not run because Optimus disables it to save power, hence the zero load you saw on GPU-Z. You can right-click the installation exe file, usually the "setup.exe", and choose "run with graphics processor -> High-performance NVIDIA processor" and see if the game installation detects your discrete graphics. But if it fails, please consider my advice. I am working a photo project right now but I can spare a few minutes in this forum this evening, so please reply as soon as you can.

Up until now i only tried pes 2013.Though multiple applications won't even start because of the issue and the video memory is always stuck at 0Mb.
I will try installing games right now : i have hatred and nfs hot pursuit on hand and i will come back soon with the results .
Thanks for your time.

 

[NightOfChrist]

Up until now i only tried pes 2013.Though multiple applications won't even start because of the issue and the video memory is always stuck at 0Mb.
I will try installing games right now : i have hatred and nfs hot pursuit on hand and i will come back soon with the results .
Thanks for your time.

I do not know about Hatred but I think you can install it since it is a relatively small game and is quick to install. And install Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit too if necessary. And this might sound crazy, but after you install those games, run either of them but not both. Either Hatred or Need for Speed: Hot Pursuit. Set the display mode to Windowed if possible, if not Borderless Fullscreen will do. Without closing the game you just ran, open GPU-Z and see if Optimus now uses your GT 840M.

If not, quit the game, then do this:

Let's just assuming you have Hatred installed.

1) Open your NVIDIA Control Panel
2) In "Manage 3D Settings", go to Global Settings tab on the right, go to Preferred Graphics Processor and change "Auto-Select" to "High-performance NVIDIA Processor"
3a) Next switch to Program Settings, find Hatred and change "Select the graphics processor for this program:" from Auto-Select to High-Performance NVIDIA Processor.
3b) If Hatred is not listed, add it by clicking the Add button and go Hatred's installation folder and select the exe.
4) Run Hatred by either right-click on its desktop shortcut and choose "run with graphics processor -> High-performance NVIDIA processor" or by right-click and choose "Run as Administrator".
5) Optimus should now run Hatred with your GT 840M instead of Intel HD Graphics.
6) Without closing Hatred, run again the Pro Evolution Soccer 2013 installation.

Update: here is GPU-Z from my VAIO Pro with Intel HD Graphics 4000 and NVIDIA GT 740M

※left to right: desktop usage, Adobe Photoshop CC 2015 usage, The Masterplan usage.



As you can see, it is normal for Optimus to disable NVIDIA processor most of the time to save power and reduce heat and only switch to it during high load. I am using 347.88 driver for mobile/notebook.

 

[Mohamed Dhif]

Thanks a lot mate. You're the most helpful guy here yet . I'm still installing stuff and will be back when i have everything up and running and will give you my gpu-z diagnostics . Thanks again

 

[NightOfChrist]

Thanks a lot mate. You're the most helpful guy here yet . I'm still installing stuff and will be back when i have everything up and running and will give you my gpu-z diagnostics . Thanks again

No. I am merely a part. All of us are working together as a community so all of us, from @RCoon, @jboydgolfer, @rtwjunkie, @Mussels, @puma99dk|, @CJCerny, @Caring1, @Easo to @dorsetknob are the most helpful.

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