Can't activate/locate Nvidia Graphics card in laptop

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haven4ever

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Hi there,

First time poster here :D, hope y'all are having a nice festive season ^^

I'm currently using the Lenovo Ideapad Z500 (Model Number 20202) which I bought over a year ago (so expired warranty). When I bought it, I was told that it would come with a NVIDIA® GeForce® GT 635M 1-2GB graphics card (or something similar) along with Intel 4000HD integrated graphics. However, I can see no trace of the card in the system apart from in the manuals provided.

In Device Manager, only Intel 4000HD is present and there are no errors (apart from in the Bluetooth Audio). Dxdiag and programs like Speccy say I've only got that as well. I can't run the Nvidia compatibility scanner as it's not compatible with Win8 or 8.1 and attempting to install a Lenovo specific Nvidia driver comes up with an error saying I have no compatible hardware. I've tried going into the insydeH20 BIOS thingy but I have no idea how to get into the advanced settings to check display settings.

Everything points to it not existing but the service center I've called and visited insists it's in there and working (which it clearly isn't as I can't even access the Nvidia control panel).

Does anyone have any ideas as to how to check if it's actually present (without opening it up) and how to switch it to the Nvidia card if it is indeed in there somewhere?

Many thanks!
 
Welcome to the forum!

How about show hidden devices in Device Manager, anything show up there? Other than that, very hard to tell if you can't get into any advanced bios settings for graphics. Have updated BIOS to the latest?
 
Thanks for the welcome Popeye ^^

I've tried showing hidden devices and it wasn't there =/ I've upgraded BIOS to the latest version and there's no extra options for graphics - confusing as other people with the Z500 has the "switchable graphics" option on there.

I'll keep an eye out for any BIOS mods, and will update this thread if I find a solution :D

Thanks for the help!
 
Afraid you probably should have sent it back when you first got it, too late now. Sounds like a hardware problem. :(
 
Well, here is a wild thought... Since I do not have control of your computer it is hard to tell what exactly is going on. Try to see if you can install the latest Nvidia driver. If you can, that means it is on the system. Worst thing that will happen is the installation errors out and can't install.

According to Notebook check, you have a 635m, just as you said. So it is in there somewhere, and it is probably just the driver that is missing. Unsure if you reinstalled Windows or not.

EDIT: Try posing a screen shot of your Device manager using "Snipping Tool" in the start menu. Upload it here and let us see what's going on.

Links:
Lenovo IdeaPad Z500-20202 - Notebookcheck.net External Reviews
GeForce Experience Tweaks your Game Settings Automatically | GeForce
Drivers | GeForce
 
Interesting idea YoloWaffle, I hope it works. Don't understand why it would not show up in Device Manager with yellow triangle though. We'll see.
 
popeye said:
Interesting idea YoloWaffle, I hope it works. Don't understand why it would not show up in Device Manager with yellow triangle though. We'll see.
Click to expand...
I've had switchable graphics that did not show device in device manager in the past. I am assuming this is the same instance as the computer does indeed have switchable graphics, as long as long as he has the right device listed.
 
YoloWaffle said:
popeye said:
Interesting idea YoloWaffle, I hope it works. Don't understand why it would not show up in Device Manager with yellow triangle though. We'll see.
Click to expand...
I've had switchable graphics that did not show device in device manager in the past. I am assuming this is the same instance as the computer does indeed have switchable graphics, as long as long as he has the right device listed.
Click to expand...

YoloWaffle said:
There are many people who have this issue and there is a guide posted Here. Ironically... the 635m is the device listed in the guide.

Links:
HOW TO: Nvidia graphics driver can not find compatible graphics hardware | i Gadgets World | innovative Gadgets World
Click to expand...


I've had switchable laptops for a number of years but never experienced the dedicated not showing in Device Manager. Just lucky I guess.

For the OP's sake I hope you are right. :)
 
popeye said:
YoloWaffle said:
popeye said:
Interesting idea YoloWaffle, I hope it works. Don't understand why it would not show up in Device Manager with yellow triangle though. We'll see.
Click to expand...
I've had switchable graphics that did not show device in device manager in the past. I am assuming this is the same instance as the computer does indeed have switchable graphics, as long as long as he has the right device listed.
Click to expand...

YoloWaffle said:
There are many people who have this issue and there is a guide posted Here. Ironically... the 635m is the device listed in the guide.

Links:
HOW TO: Nvidia graphics driver can not find compatible graphics hardware | i Gadgets World | innovative Gadgets World
Click to expand...


I've had switchable laptops for a number of years but never experienced the dedicated not showing in Device Manager. Just lucky I guess.

For the OP's sake I hope you are right. :)
Click to expand...

The device not showing up is exactly what happened to me.
 
I meant as far as fixing it, wasn't trying to say you didn't experience the problem, only saying I never did is all. Merry Christmas! :)
 
Well, yes, you should check such things immediately after purchase.

Download the Windows 8.1 Intel HD drivers and the Nvidia driver from Lenovo, Not from Intel or Nvidia or Windows Updates (Hide them).

Install the drivers in that order, Intel HD first, and then the Nvidia driver.

When you get the Nvidia Driver installed then you can go to the Nvidia Control Panel and set what Applications use it as default etc. Or Right Click the Application shortcut and select to run with either Graphics Card.

Other Nvidia Stuff like the Geforce Experience will indicate that you have the latest driver when you don't. It does not matter. Disable driver auto updating here as well.

There is nothing in my UEFI BIOS concerning Dual Graphics Cards. Doesn't need to as the Nvidia Optimus switching works well.
It is shown in the Device Manager in Display adapters two entries, in my Laptop HD4600 and GT 740M.
 
Thanks for the replies,

I have attached a picture of my Device Manager (with hidden devices turned on).

I've also tried the NVidia Driver installation and scanner and they both say that I don't have the relevant hardware.

I had a look at the link Waffle posted (HOW TO: Nvidia graphics driver can not find compatible graphics hardware | i Gadgets World | innovative Gadgets World) but I can't go through with it because Other Devices/Video Driver is not present in my Device Manager either.

I'll try reinstalling the drivers, I've contacted Lenovo support in the meantime but I think paying for repairs is not worth it as I'm not an avid gamer and it'd probably be more expensive than buying a new laptop if it's a hardware issue. :D

I'll keep ya updated!
 

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Oh wow, I am the definition of blind :D

I'm not sure it's related, but it contains:
 

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Not graphics related, looks like virtual audio devices which are installed with some video conversion or streaming software. Those have to to with WiDi. Did you try to set that up at one time?
 
Just a thought, try this Hardware Troubelshooter from MS Fix It. Also, a guide on trying to view "Hidden Hardware" in Windows. furthermore, I think your problem may be BIOS related, and let's check "C:/Program Files/Nvidia" to see if there was once an install of Nvidia on your system. As for the BIOS, you can accidentally install the wrong BIOS and the PC still working. If I was you, I would restore to the original BIOS by downloading the First BIOS from the Manufacturer site Lenovo. It worked for this one person in the quote below with an Asus Laptop...

Dulanjana replied on April 28, 2014
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In reply to Dulanjana's post on April 28, 2014


Yes!..
I contacted ASUS support. They told me to restore default BIOS. Then it's over. Device Manager shows the VGA card and install the card's driver.


( ASUS BIOS setup has no settings for graphic card. )
Click to expand...

Links:
Hardware devices are not working or are not detected in Windows
nVidia graphic card does not show up in device manager, unable to - Microsoft Community
 
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