Upgraded to Windows 8 and no longer seeing Graphics Card on system

Question

Hi i'm hoping someone can help me with the issue i'm having. I recently upgraded my Alienware M17xR3 from Windows 7 to Windows 8. Since upgrading i have been unable to see my RADEON HD 6990M in DXDIAG. The only graphics i see is the built-in Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000. I've tried looking for drivers for Windows 8 but cannot find any compatible with my system. Does anyone have a solution to this so i can use the ATI card instead of the built-in card, withut having to revert back to Windows 7?. I know i might have to wait for Dell to release the relevant driver for my card but how long should this take, i would have thought there would be a driver to coincide with the release of Windows 8. Thanks for any help. Regards, nosyar.

jdrch · Answer

You can download drivers directly from AMD.com.

nosyar · Answer

I attempted that but they won't install and refer me to contact the manufacturer of the laptop. Any driver for the card needs to come from Dell seemingly as its a Dell/Alienware system. I would just reinstall windows 7 which came with the machine but where they stuck the cd key on the underside of the laptop, it has worn a couple of the characters away. Regards, Nosyar

Philip_Yip · Answer

Try installing the one for the Alienware M17x R4 its for the HD7970M but might work:

http://ftp.dell.com/FOLDER00970355M/2/Gfx_AMD_A01_9.002_CFJ0W_setup_ZPE.exe

Or the:

From the Inspiron N5110 HD 6470M/HD 7450M http://downloads-us.dell.com/FOLDER00872259M/9/Video_ATI_W8_X02_A00_Setup-HJNJ1_ZPE.exe

Or try also:

http://www2.ati.com/drivers/mobile/12-10_mobility_vista_win7_win8_64_dd_ccc_whql_net4.exe

nosyar · Answer

Thanks natakuc4,

This has helped make a bit of progress. The first link seemed to be going ok but when i tried to install the file, it prompted me to insert a disc. The second link however installed fine, and now i have "AD Radeon HD 6900M Series" appearing in device manager under the Display Adapters heading, alongside the built-in Intel(R) HD Graphics 3000. When i check in dxdiag however, the AMD card isn't appearing. I checked the driver info for the AMD card, and it says the driver version is 9.2.0.0 and the date is 27/09/2012.

Does this suggest i am now able to use the card?. From what i'm seeing, i'm assuming that the system is still using the built-in card as default.

Thanks for the help so far,

Regards nosyar.

nosyar · Answer

I restarted the laptop and the AMD card is now showing as the default in dxdiag, and i tested it with Far Cry 3 and the game can run on much higher settings now.

Thanks natakuc4, the 2nd link you suggested solved it, followed by a restart.

Regards,

nosyar.

nosyar · Answer

After turning the laptop off for a bit and returning, the graphics card is no longer listed in the device manager or dxdiag, so i'm not sure the problem is fixed after all. Not sure why it has disappeared again, it's a bit frustrating.

Mikie19598 · Answer

i would say try far cry 3 again and see if there is any difference in the performance.if there is no difference or if its better then you are good to go.

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