DELL recently integrated their Alienware line of laptops to use hybrid graphics technology that enables switching between expansion graphics card (which is basically what is ordered by the customer) when connected to AC Adapter and integrated graphics card when the laptop is on battery power.
This new technology will automatically switch the laptop to integrated graphics when it’s on battery.
If you think that you’re missing the correct graphics card or you have the wrong graphics card installed on your Alienware M17x, try doing the following to turn on your preferred graphics:
1. Connect your laptop to AC power.
2. Hit on 'Fn-F7' key to toggle between integrated and expansion graphics. You may be required to restart the system.
3. Make sure that your BIOS settings are configured to enable hybrid graphics and integrated graphics.
The Alienware M17x uses hybrid graphics technology as a way to conserve power when you’re on battery mode.
When you in the integrated mode (laptop is powered by battery only), the nVidia 9400 graphics will be seen in the Device Manager, system performance will also be less on integrated and some applications and/or games which require intensive graphics solutions will not work.
DELL released another update regarding reports of their Alienware M17x systems experiencing slow graphic performance when running graphics intensive programs. This is noticed when booting the system on battery power.
DELL explained that on booting the system thru battery power, the integrated graphics card is automatically enabled, disabling the discrete graphics card(s).
The integrated graphics card remains enabled even after AC power is plugged to the system. The system may only show the “Nvidia Geforce 9400M G” graphics card in Device Manager.
System warning message:
“System is operating on battery power. To maximize battery life, the system will operate on Integrated graphics.
If you would like to use discrete graphics, connect the AC adapter. Press
The solution to this issue is to enable the discrete graphics by doing the following:
1. Connect the system to AC adapter. Press 'Fn-F7' key to toggle between integrated and discrete graphics.
2. Choose 'Yes' to enable discrete graphics card on the screen prompting 'BinaryGFX' access detected.
3. Reboot system on AC adapter power. Discrete video card(s) will be listed in device manager.
Below are some of Alienware M17x Updates released by DELL recently. You may encounter any one of the issues however you may not find the solutions in any of DELL's community website. This is because these issues were gathered by DELL engineers right after the release of the said notebook.
Webcam Not Detected Problem
Explanation: The webcam is not detected in Device Manager. Therefore, applications that rely on it (like AlienSense and YouCam) do not work. The webcam is off by default. Press the [FN] + [F9] key combination to turn it on.
No Lights on Keyboard Problem
Workaround:
1. Create New-Advanced theme.
2. Discharge the system.
3. Reinstall OSD and Command Center.
External Display Ports not working with Onboard Video
Fix: [Fn] + [F7] to switch to discrete mode.
DELL recently released a work-around for various reports on their Alienware M17x notebooks having issues with the battery not being detected.
DELL instructs to do the following in order to fix the issue:
1. Turn the computer off
2. Remove the AC Adapter and Battery
3. Press the power button to drain the leftover power (the computer is not expected to turn on)
4. Connect back the AC Adapter and Battery
5. Turn the computer on
6. Also remember to try the [Fn] + [F2] key combination to make sure that the battery connection is fully enabled (you will see the battery status in the OSD application).
For more troubleshooting tips on the said issue or to report a similar case, DELL encourages you users to visit their online community.
