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Vostro 3550 switching graphics in bios
December 15, 2011
10 Votes
Status: Archived
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ADD THAT OPTION TO BIOS! Solution that came with A09 is totally useless, after six months this problem is going to be in here again because some programmer will code something differently and we just won't be able to shut one of those cards off. Switching graphics is a nice thing, but not when it is left just on software, or even more, just on software in windows!!!
This post is a reaction on this http://www.ideastorm.com/ideaView?id=087700000008XjiAAE&p=27&sby=DESC one, so we could separate the solving of the problem into more specific categories - and this category represent the simplest and easiest solution - turn one of those cards off in bios and turn it on when you know you will now need it, boot process takes like 45 seconds these days and turning the card off in bios is always absolutely 100% working solution.
Thanks for solving this, all other companies that are making laptops (ok, I don't care about acer/asus and so on...) have this option in bios so if I am supposed to buy dell next time, please make the bios look like more the lenovo bios do - not all of your customers are afraid of that screen.
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Sep 4, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: HairyCube
Seeing that the BIOS for 3350, 3450 and 3550 is going to be updated for Windows 8, I am bumping this idea.Can you PLEASE let us choose switchable graphics mode in BIOS? This would make it A LOT easier for many users!
All we need is this option in BIOS:
Switchable graphics settings
1. Intel only
2. AMD only
3. Switchable graphics (default)
You can see a similar solution in HP laptops, and HP users are happy with that.
PLEASE consider adding this. Thanks.
Apr 21, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: HairyCube
Why doesn't Dell just unlock the switchable graphics option in the BIOS, like HP did? There's a handful of advantages to this:1. The switching won't depend on the Catalyst Control Center, which makes it more stable and transparent (I got a couple of BSODs when I switched between the adapters. I'd rather restart the computer myself and manually choose the graphics card I need to use).
2. It will be possible to use the AMD card in XP/Linux/any other OS natively. As of now, if you decide to install Windows XP for whatever reason, you won't be able to use the dedicated card.
3. Adding a BIOS option will sort out all the problems for power users, and those who don't like it can continue using the previous solution.
All we need is this option in BIOS:
Switchable graphics settings
1. Intel only
2. AMD only
3. Switchable graphics (default)
Please consider implementing this option. The current switchable graphics method through Catalyst is very unstable, and it's still impossible to install official graphics drivers from AMD. I am very glad we at least got to choose Manual mode for switchable graphics, but again, this is not the best solution I was waiting for.
Mar 23, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: animus369
Its highly prefered that Dell provide the option of selecting graphic card in BIOSIf you install the latest ati graphics before installing the one provided in dell website, the graphics are not working
And, dell should provide support for xp users also
Feb 12, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: HairyCube
Any news? :(I also heard that newer Vostros 3450 are shipped with bios A08, while the latest version available for download is A07. I wonder how we can get the new BIOS as it might have the problem fixed...
Jan 7, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: Skyscraper
I totally agree. We need fixed option in BIOS too. I'm quoting my message form the other thread-------------------
@Bill_B - Thank You for Your resposne
@Bill_B
QUOTE
I'm also waiting on a reply about hard setting fixed mode in the BIOS.
/QUOTE
Believe me, such alternative solution would be much appreciated for a lot (a huge base) of users around the world (believe they are not niche) because they (like me) need computers to be flexible tools. Yes I mean it should be used properly with different kind of operating system. I know, You'll tell me that DELL doesn't support officially Linux or other OSes. But these OSes can support themselves by their own, and we all know that this is true. It is our consumer right to use our computers like we want it. So don't leave us with a One-System-Only solution and don't support monopoly. Becasue this problem is a hardware specific problem not an OS problem. Please prepare a uniwersal solution. Let it even be a second solution, an alternative to current. If someone wants current one, they will not use BIOS fixed mode and stay with Windows solution. But for others a BIOS fix will be a blessing which will let them do their job as it shloud be done. I know, it is not that hard for Dell developers to prepare such BIOS - You are specialists.
This thing is very important for me (and not only me), because I work with Linux professionally and Yes, I did my research before buying Vostro 3550. And yes, it is working great with Linux BUT one thing is missing: a working VGA card without switching between ati/intel. Just give us a hard setting in bios which will set a one card or the other and all of the operating systems will see them as if ther was only one built in. Believe me, that is all we need to be trully happy with a Vostr notebooks. This is really one small thing compared to other problems in the world.
Hear our prayers :/
QUOTE
@Skyscraper We don't consider user level configuration of fixed mode GPU within the GUI a hack by any means.
/QUOTE
It all depends on prespective... for Windows-Only users it is not a hack. For All-Systems users it is.
Let the Dell be honest to all users. See one thing, I gave You my money, despite the thing I am a Linux user for 80% of my time. I gave You my money because Your computer is compatible with Linux if You want it or not. Please don't ruin that, and give us a little bit of support with BIOS thing.
QUOTE
I think the BIOS solution would have been considered the hack. Look at HP indeed. They rolled out the BIOS fix as a temporary workaround while they were working on the fully baked GUI option.
/QUOTE
But see one thing. users received a BIOS fix. If someone doesn't want to update to a GUI solution (he doesn't have to), may stay with BIOS. All are happy.
QUOTE
We just skipped the workaround and when straight to the GUI fix.
/QUOTE
And made a Closed solution, available to only one group of users and this is not connected with the financial or bussinnes condidtions.
I think two solutions would not be that hard to prepare. They don't have to exclude each other (one or the other), remember.
QUOTE
Still waiting to hear about the hard setting fixed mode in the BIOS, though. Will post back as soon as I hear
/QUOTE
Thank You, I'll be waiting for sure.
Best regards
PS: sorry for any mistakes in English ;]
-------------------
Jan 7, 2012 Comment Link
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Posted By: Skyscraper
I totally agree. We need fixed option in BIOS too. I'm quoting my message form the other thread-------------------
@Bill_B - Thank You for Your resposne
@Bill_B
QUOTE
I'm also waiting on a reply about hard setting fixed mode in the BIOS.
/QUOTE
Believe me, such alternative solution would be much appreciated for a lot (a huge base) of users around the world (believe they are not niche) because they (like me) need computers to be flexible tools. Yes I mean it should be used properly with different kind of operating system. I know, You'll tell me that DELL doesn't support officially Linux or other OSes. But these OSes can support themselves by their own, and we all know that this is true. It is our consumer right to use our computers like we want it. So don't leave us with a One-System-Only solution and don't support monopoly. Becasue this problem is a hardware specific problem not an OS problem. Please prepare a uniwersal solution. Let it even be a second solution, an alternative to current. If someone wants current one, they will not use BIOS fixed mode and stay with Windows solution. But for others a BIOS fix will be a blessing which will let them do their job as it shloud be done. I know, it is not that hard for Dell developers to prepare such BIOS - You are specialists.
This thing is very important for me (and not only me), because I work with Linux professionally and Yes, I did my research before buying Vostro 3550. And yes, it is working great with Linux BUT one thing is missing: a working VGA card without switching between ati/intel. Just give us a hard setting in bios which will set a one card or the other and all of the operating systems will see them as if ther was only one built in. Believe me, that is all we need to be trully happy with a Vostr notebooks. This is really one small thing compared to other problems in the world.
Hear our prayers :/
QUOTE
@Skyscraper We don't consider user level configuration of fixed mode GPU within the GUI a hack by any means.
/QUOTE
It all depends on prespective... for Windows-Only users it is not a hack. For All-Systems users it is.
Let the Dell be honest to all users. See one thing, I gave You my money, despite the thing I am a Linux user for 80% of my time. I gave You my money because Your computer is compatible with Linux if You want it or not. Please don't ruin that, and give us a little bit of support with BIOS thing.
QUOTE
I think the BIOS solution would have been considered the hack. Look at HP indeed. They rolled out the BIOS fix as a temporary workaround while they were working on the fully baked GUI option.
/QUOTE
But see one thing. users received a BIOS fix. If someone doesn't want to update to a GUI solution (he doesn't have to), may stay with BIOS. All are happy.
QUOTE
We just skipped the workaround and when straight to the GUI fix.
/QUOTE
And made a Closed solution, available to only one group of users and this is not connected with the financial or bussinnes condidtions.
I think two solutions would not be that hard to prepare. They don't have to exclude each other (one or the other), remember.
QUOTE
Still waiting to hear about the hard setting fixed mode in the BIOS, though. Will post back as soon as I hear
/QUOTE
Thank You, I'll be waiting for sure.
Best regards
PS: sorry for any mistakes in English ;]
-------------------
Dec 17, 2011 Comment Link
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Posted By: HairyCube
While I agree with the OP post, I don't think it's technically possible because, from what I understand, the Intel card is always used for video output. I assume there is some workaround for that because Lenovo has implemented manual graphics card switching in BIOS.I do think the fix provided by Dell is somewhat premature and ineffective. I'd rather have the Intel card completely turned off rather than have to rely on driver options (and you know these options are not officially supported by AMD).
It would be much simpler if there was an option in BIOS to switch graphics adapters. Also, not only on Vostro 3550, but on 3450 and 3350 as well.