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Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

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Old 07-13-2013, 09:16 AM   #1
froff
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Question Is it possible to "turn off" nvidia driver and switch to intrel hd graphics?


Hi all
I have specific problem with my Thinkpad.
From time to time I need to switch to nvidia optimus controller in order to plug second monitor to displayport.
Displayport is connected to nvidia output and it's impossible to use second monitor with intel hd graphics.
I installed nvidia proprietary driver v.319.32 and it works ok, when "discrete graphics" selected in bios.
The problem is that when I use nvidia, my laptop consumes much more energy. Therefore for everyday use I prefer
to use intel hd graphics. But when nvidia driver is installed and I choose intel hd graphics in bios
my screen is switched to 640x480 and this is the only option to choose in display settings (ubutnu 12.04).

Is it any way to have nvidia driver installed and still use intel hd graphics when needed with acceleration and optimal parameters?

regards
 
Old 07-13-2013, 09:18 PM   #2
GlennsPref
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Hi, at the boot loader, get to the command line and add to or edit the line.

for loading a particular xdriver type,
Code:
xdriver=<insert driver module name>
xdriver=vesa

You can also adjust the screen size with,
Code:
vga=794
where 794=1280x1024x16

see this chart
Code:
	640x480 800x600 1024x768 1280x1024 1600x1200 Ask user at boot
8 bits 	vga=769 vga=771 vga=773  vga=775   vga=796   vga=ask
16 bits vga=785 vga=788 vga=791  vga=794   vga=798   vga=ask
32 bits vga=786 vga=789 vga=792  vga=795   vga=799   vga=ask
That should get ya up!

Last edited by GlennsPref; 07-13-2013 at 09:20 PM.
 
Old 07-14-2013, 03:35 PM   #3
froff
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Unfortunately it does not work.
I tried with xdriver=intel also (found on mageia wiki).
vga=845 which means 1600x900x24 (according to hwinfo result).
What is interesting: grub menu and system loading screen is in optimal resolution (1900x900).
But login screen turns to 640x480.
But this behaviour occurs always - no mater whether boot configuration is modified or not.
Directly after logging I get error dialog with title "could not apply the stored configuration for monitors".
 
Old 07-14-2013, 06:47 PM   #4
GlennsPref
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Oh, this is for grub, not grub2.

Grub2 takes these similar parameters to do the same,

Personally, I and my systems have only recently switched to grub2, so I'm a newbie at grub2.

I'm reading this page and see it shows how to do the above with grub2.

Hope this helps...

Regards Glenn
 
Old 07-15-2013, 02:30 AM   #5
cascade9
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You might want to look into bumblebee-

http://bumblebee-project.org/
https://wiki.archlinux.org/index.php/Bumblebee
http://wiki.debian.org/Bumblebee
 
Old 07-16-2013, 02:51 PM   #6
froff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlennsPref View Post
Oh, this is for grub, not grub2.
Grub2 takes these similar parameters to do the same,
Personally, I and my systems have only recently switched to grub2, so I'm a newbie at grub2.
I'm reading this page and see it shows how to do the above with grub2.
Hope this helps...
Regards Glenn
I think it is not a problem with grub. Grub itself starts in 1600x900.
It is rather problem with x-window configuration.
After boot with intel hd graphics lshw -c video says that driver in use is i915
hwinfo --framebuffer ensures that sandy/ivy bridge controller is detected and one of its legal videmo modes is 1600x900x24.

But in xorg.conf in section "Device" I have nvidia driver and change to i915 doesn't change anything. I'm stuck
 
Old 07-17-2013, 05:58 AM   #7
cascade9
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Quote:
Originally Posted by froff View Post
I'm stuck
Had a look at bumblebee yet?

It should do exactly what you want- let you use the intel video chip and change over to the nVidia GPU when you want, and have the nVidia GPU turned off when not in use.
 
Old 07-17-2013, 02:51 PM   #8
froff
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cascade9 View Post
Had a look at bumblebee yet?

It should do exactly what you want- let you use the intel video chip and change over to the nVidia GPU when you want, and have the nVidia GPU turned off when not in use.
Thanks - sounds nice.
I'm going to give it a chance.
 
Old 07-17-2013, 06:01 PM   #9
Hangdog42
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You might also keep an eye on the official Nvidia drivers. Apparently they are starting to build in Optimus support for Linux.
 
1 members found this post helpful.
Old 07-18-2013, 04:02 AM   #10
cascade9
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nVidia started adding opitmus support with driver version 319.12 Beta-

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...tem&px=MTM0NzE

However as of 319.17 there was still no power management-

http://translate.google.com/translat...%3Fnum%3D36848
 
Old 07-21-2013, 10:11 PM   #11
renandeos
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Have you ever tried TLP?

Quote:
Originally Posted by cascade9 View Post
nVidia started adding optimus support with driver version 319.12 Beta-

http://www.phoronix.com/scan.php?pag...tem&px=MTM0NzE

However as of 319.17 there was still no power management-

http://translate.google.com/translat...%3Fnum%3D36848
Ok, I'm a slacker and at Slackware 14, nvidia is working very good after removing nouveau and installing the official driver. If I'm not wrong, the last version is 325.08. Look for it for Ubuntu. It, with bumblebee, looks like to work fine.
Another try that you can do is install TLP: http://linrunner.de/en/tlp/docs/tlp-...anagement.html.
There are some instructions to install in Ubuntu. I'm using it at slack and it is really good. Before installing it and nvidia-bumblebee, my battery was only 2h30min long. Now, that is great, it is 6h26min!!!
Try them and post the results.
Sorry my bad english.
 
  


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