Thread: BIG POST: Hybrid cards (nVidia, AMD, Intel)

hi there

hope big big thread hybrid graphics laptops, test workarounds (with propietary drivers , free drivers).

now, post our experience kind of laptops , properties of hardware, use 2 commands:

code:

lspci

code:

sudo lshw -c video

hey, , don't forget abou post reference of laptop , brand identify problems , solutions.

btw idea post bugs releated/reported in launchpad , other bug trackers this. blog post of tutorials , similars.

reported bug links:
[radeon hd 5650 , 5470] kernel bug during recovery boot , in normal boot (hybrid graphics): https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...ux/+bug/727620
hybrid graphics intel+fglrx not supported: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...er/+bug/813809
jockey fail install binary ati driver (post release) version: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+s...on/+bug/873058
recommending proprietary driver on hybrid systems can break 3d: https://bugs.launchpad.net/ubuntu/on...ey/+bug/885204

useful links:
https://launchpad.net/~hybrid-graphics-linux
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/hybridgraphics
http://linux-hybrid-graphics.blogspot.com/
http://en.gentoo-wiki.com/wiki/vga_switcheroo

workarounds:
* heat, fan @ maximum level and/or low battery power: when i'm using intel gpu ati gpu still powered on, that's why laptops feels warm, fan @ max speed , power life low, can check using command:

code:

sudo -s

use password, then:

code:

root@devolo:~# cat /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch 0:igd:+:pwr:0000:00:02.0 1:dis: :pwr:0000:01:00.0

the pwr indicate both gpu powered on, should deactivate unused 1 commands:

first, give owner permissions switch file:

code:

sudo -s

input password, use command power off unused gpu:

code:

echo off > /sys/kernel/debug/vgaswitcheroo/switch

this workaround works until laptop rebooted, on case have again.

useful commands pass vgaswitcheroo here: https://help.ubuntu.com/community/hybridgraphics

ok, , start..

own dell vostro 3450 dell last year. laptop has 14 inch screen, 4 gb of ram , intel core i5-2430m. processor has integrated gpu intel hd graphics 3000. lapto have amd gpu (6630).

tried first ubuntu 11.10 , when tried install alternative controllers, after restart screen goes black.

i'm using ubuntu 12.04, try install propietary drivers , after reboot system works, got unity 2d. when tried use specific xorg file use ati gpu after reboot got message x server configuration bad (the tutorial fix problems), uninstalled drivers, reboot , got again unity 3d working under intel gpu.

info of laptop:
dell vostro 3450

lspci:

code:

00:00.0 host bridge: intel corporation 2nd generation core processor family dram controller (rev 09)  00:01.0 pci bridge: intel corporation xeon e3-1200/2nd generation core processor family pci express root port (rev 09)  00:02.0 vga compatible controller: intel corporation 2nd generation core processor family integrated graphics controller (rev 09)  00:16.0 communication controller: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family mei controller #1 (rev 04)  00:1a.0 usb controller: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family usb enhanced host controller #2 (rev 05)  00:1b.0 audio device: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family high definition audio controller (rev 05)  00:1c.0 pci bridge: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family pci express root port 1 (rev b5)  00:1c.2 pci bridge: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family pci express root port 3 (rev b5)  00:1c.4 pci bridge: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family pci express root port 5 (rev b5)  00:1c.5 pci bridge: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family pci express root port 6 (rev b5)  00:1d.0 usb controller: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family usb enhanced host controller #1 (rev 05)  00:1f.0 isa bridge: intel corporation hm67 express chipset family lpc controller (rev 05)  00:1f.2 sata controller: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family 6 port sata ahci controller (rev 05)  00:1f.3 smbus: intel corporation 6 series/c200 series chipset family smbus controller (rev 05)  01:00.0 vga compatible controller: ati technologies inc whistler [amd radeon hd 6600m series]  02:00.0 network controller: intel corporation centrino wireless-n 1030 (rev 34)  03:00.0 usb controller: nec corporation upd720200 usb 3.0 host controller (rev 04)  04:00.0 ethernet controller: realtek semiconductor co., ltd. rtl8111/8168b pci express gigabit ethernet controller (rev 06)

lshw -c video

code:

darkhole@devolo:~$ sudo lshw -c video  [sudo] password darkhole:     *-display                        description: vga compatible controller         product: whistler [amd radeon hd 6600m series]         vendor: ati technologies inc         physical id: 0         bus info: pci@0000:01:00.0         version: 00         width: 64 bits         clock: 33mhz         capabilities: pm pciexpress msi vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom         configuration: driver=radeon latency=0         resources: irq:52 memory:c0000000-cfffffff memory:e1700000-e171ffff ioport:4000(size=256) memory:e1720000-e173ffff    *-display         description: vga compatible controller         product: 2nd generation core processor family integrated graphics controller         vendor: intel corporation         physical id: 2         bus info: pci@0000:00:02.0         version: 09         width: 64 bits         clock: 33mhz         capabilities: msi pm vga_controller bus_master cap_list rom         configuration: driver=i915 latency=0         resources: irq:48 memory:e0000000-e03fffff memory:d0000000-dfffffff ioport:5000(size=64)

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