How to switch from CPU to GPU when I can't open Nvidia control panel

RandyScrandy

Prominent
Mar 20, 2017
2
0
510
I've been really frustrated trying to figure this out all day when I realized not only one game has been running slow but all of them and I figured this was a possible problem.
 
Solution
It's not in control panel, but bios. Enter your bios, look for the video section. In there make sure that the gpu is set as primary (usually labeled as PEG).
Make sure (I know this'll sound asinine) that the monitor is actually plugged into the gpu, not the motherboard connection.

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
It's not in control panel, but bios. Enter your bios, look for the video section. In there make sure that the gpu is set as primary (usually labeled as PEG).
Make sure (I know this'll sound asinine) that the monitor is actually plugged into the gpu, not the motherboard connection.
 
Solution

RandyScrandy

Prominent
Mar 20, 2017
2
0
510


GEEZ, I saw this on that suggestion on another forum and I checked but I didn't look hard enough I guess but yes I plugged my HDMI into the wrong port. Thank you for your help.

 

ville_25

Prominent
Jun 11, 2017
3
0
510


Hi!

If i have understood some of this chat, i have same kind of a problem. My laptop wont open the Nvidia control panel and informs me that ''i am not currently using a display attached to an NVIDIA GPU'' so I can't open the nvidia control panel if I'm correct. Problem is to me that I did not understand the BIOS solution you were offering. Could u help me?
- V
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
There's 2 different kinds of gpus. There's the integrated gpu (igpu) that's actually part of the cpu processor. The other kind is a discrete or dedicated gpu (gpu) that's either an add in card or built into the laptop separately from the cpu. If you have the first kind, it's not nvidia, it's an intel (or AMD) HD, so there is no nvidia control panel, everything just gets run through the OS screens for display adapters, personalization etc when you click on the screen. If you have the second kind, your bios will already be setup for the gpu, so unless the gpu actually has gone bad, it'll automatically be recognized. Laptops are a little different than desktops in that most gpus can't really be switched out easily, if at all, requiring you to take most of the laptop apart.

So, if you can't open nvidia control panel because you aren't attached to an nvidia gpu (which is entirely different from windows control panel) it's one of 2 things. Either you have an intel (or AMD) HD igpu or the gpu is bad and is not recognizing its actually there.
 

ville_25

Prominent
Jun 11, 2017
3
0
510


I do have external/dedicated gpu nvidia 610m and some time ago I switched it to intel hd 4000 which is my laptops i5-3210m internal graphic. Later when i tried to connect to external display my computer and computer won't find it so i tried to update all intel drivers but it wont instal the graphics driver either. So I tried then open the nvidia control panel again where i in the first place switched the gpu, but it wont open. After the intel graphic driver installation attemt my computer informs me that some aplication does not work and my computer wont even open intels screen personalation. Is there a chance that nvidia driver isn't gone bad? And do you have suggestions to help me to get my computer working again.
 

Karadjgne

Titan
Ambassador
If you have updated windows fully, yeah, nvidia drivers can have an issue. I'd go to nvidia.com and download a new set of drivers, specific to your gpu. When it says 'express' or 'custom', choose custom. On the next page, just allow it to install, but at the bottom is a box that you must make sure is checked, called 'Do a clean install'. This'll remove all of the old drivers, and replace with new ones. Just choosing express only adds some stuff, doesn't change anything. That should clear up you not seeing the NV control panel.
In your bios, I believe it's usually under advanced tab, peripherals you'll need to be sure the video is set to PEG, primary external graphics, not the igpu. Don't forget to save and exit. That should cure the 'My PC' not seeing the gpu as being installed.