graphics problems with Windows 7 64bit and Intel 4500mhd

yes my laptop is still under warranty and its already been back to Dell once too, who fixed the problem for me by formating the Hard Drive and reinstalling Vista! Thanks for all your help guys, this took a week by the way. I then tried again to talk to someone in Tech about it and they said that the motherboad needed replacing so could i send it back for another week, at which point myself and Dell had a little bit of a falling out. I have worked in IT for the last 15 years so belive me when i say dont hold your breath and if i was you dont bother sending the laptop back it will just be formated and returned with Vista on it!  For me it was better to just buy the 2GB of ram and fix it, as i say it was only £32 and well worth it.

Don't get me wrong, I completely see where you're coming from and appreciate you sharing your findings with us and you're right £32 is a small price to pay but I'm still holding out on pure principle!

Out of interest, why did you opt for the 32bit version of Win7 over the 64bit?

I used the 32bit Windows 7 as it was a free (well had to pay for the shipping) upgrade from Dell when i purchased the laptop.

Plus drivers from Vista 32bit mostly work in windows 7 32bit so if you have anything else connected to your computer thats maybe a few years old you can sometimes use the Vista drivers if there are no Windows 7 ones available, not so easy if you need to find a vista 64bit driver.

Its a shame that principles seem to come at a price these days, otherwise i think Dell would be working a little harder to fix the problem!

i had the same issue in vista, if it comes back with vista back on it then I want a refund back as  the problemstil exists, the item is not upgradeable and is still under warranty,

Id upgrade the memory but dont see why i should do it at my cost.

Well if this update doesnt solve the problem suppose I will have to buy a 2GB Ram stick.. And I will not be paying for it.. I will charge dell. Since my laptop is only 4 months old I dont expect a problem like this, Especially from a company like Dell.

EDIT **********************************************************

Nope the intel update did nothing problem still exsits.

I think I may have found the solution and it did not require me to take my RAM out.

Access your BIOS and locate the Virtualization options. Next look for the Enable Virtual I/O option (something like that I can't recall at the moment) and disable this.

I am now using dual screen monitors with Aero fully enabled.

E6400 Latitude with Intel 4500 mhd.

This issue is not strictly a RAM mismatch problem, more a problem with the Intel Windows drivers not dealing with it properly. I have a Studio 1537 with Intel 4500 graphics (3GB RAM), and when I purchased it about 6 months ago the first thing I did was reformat it with a dual boot of Arch Linux and Windows 7 RC. It worked perfectly in Linux but corrupted the graphics in Windows. I tried reinstalling Vista to see if that resolved the graphics issues in Windows, but I had the same issues (although the frequency appeared to be less). I've tried numerous different drivers in both Vista and 7 (RC and RTM) and experienced the problem in all combinations, although the frequency at which it occurred did vary. If it can work perfectly using the Linux drivers on a compositing window manager, then a driver update for Windows should be able to fix the problem assuming Intel manage to find the bug. 

I am on the 3rd motherboard on this laptop (warranty replacements for other issues) and changing the motherboard did not have an effect on the graphics. I have yet to try removing the 1GB stick of RAM as I don't have a screwdriver handy.

Ok here is what i have experienced so far::

Win 7 Home Premium 64Bit

Virtulization enabled

6GB ram installed

Initially 1737 upgraded BIOS to A07, upgraded to Windows 7 Home Premium 64Bit- started having consistant issues w/ the video & fans running during video playback.

I downgraded the video driver back to the vista Home Premium 64 bit (from Intel), using 7-zip, and manually installing the driver - didn't resolve, but issues not a severe.

Downgraded teh BIOS back to A06 - no signs of the issue yet.

Confirmed.  Removed 2GB ram slick made by Nanya, kept 4GB stick installed, and have not had any more problems with fuzzy screens.  Will try to lobby Dell for matching sticks as a replacement.

Dell was helpful enough to concede that there is possibly an issue stemming from production.  The installed RAM is considered not "aligned" or not able to operate or function in the same system due to unlike manufacturers.  They stated that installing drivers is an extra step and is not the solution after updating all my drivers. I have 6GB and tried the different combinations of installment. Starting with 4+2(not working), 2 only (good),  4 only (good), and 2+4 in different slots( of course, not good) .  Use this as a starting point when contacting diggity-dell.

Dell was helpful enough to concede that there is possibly an issue stemming from production.  The installed RAM is considered not "aligned" or not able to operate or function in the same system due to unlike manufacturers.  They stated that installing drivers is an extra step and is not the solution after updating all my drivers. I have 6GB and tried the different combinations of installment. Starting with 4+2(not working), 2 only (good),  4 only (good), and 2+4 in different slots( of course, not good) .  Use this as a starting point when contacting diggity-dell.

Wow may actually be a breakthrough is Dell are admiting it may be the Differant RAM Modules. Next step would be for then to hand out free matching ones So I would Have 2x2GB instead of 1x1GB and 1x2GB.

Well i seemed to have stopped it by putting my display in 16-bit colours.. Umm no fuzzy areas yet. I would still like a better fix so i can have i in 32-bit though

Spoke with a DELL technician. BIOS fix has been underway specifically for this problem. Says new BIOS will be ready in aprox. 7 days. I will wait for the newest version before I do any memory fixes. A07 is most recent ver. so look for next ver. after A07. When I recieve call from DELL on availability I will post the link.

Spoke with a DELL technician. BIOS fix has been underway specifically for this problem. Says new BIOS will be ready in aprox. 7 days. I will wait for the newest version before I do any memory fixes. A07 is most recent ver. so look for next ver. after A07. When I recieve call from DELL on availability I will post the link.

What model is that BIOS for? I have the Studio 1537 with current BIOS A09, it sounds like I won't be getting the fix any time soon.

Gigaplex,

I really don't think this is a bios issue. I have Vista 64-bit on one partition and Windows 7 on another, same computer. I cannot get the graphics to do this with Vista 64-bit and I have 3GB RAM. I can get my Windows 7 to do it under load, so it has something to do with drivers and Windows 7. Removing RAM is a temporary fix. Switching to Basic from Areo is another temporary fix.

I feel this is more with Windwos 7 and Areo more than anything. I don't get this as much as others do and I NEVER updated my Bios. My Bios is A04 and I can get this to happen with Windows 7 but not Vista.

Chris from Dell Tech Support was checking into this and we're patiently awaiting for what to try next.

Rick