Strange performance problem

[lenfish]

Your laptop uses NVidia Optimus technology which should automatically switch between integrated and video card graphics according to the type of program being run and there are numerous reports of systems running with low fps because the switching is not taking place. One suggestion is to "run the Nvidia control Panel. Go to Manage 3D settings. On the Program settings tab you have to select the drop down and select the exact path of the executable file you want the Card to boost. Make sure Nvidia High-Performance Processor card is selected below that."

Also, if you're thinking of reinstalling the video drivers again you could try the ones from Asus on their website rather than the newest ones from NVidia.

Worth a try?

Regards,

Len

[GCHartley]

I tried what you said but having the High Performance NVIDIA processor or Integrated Graphics selected in the control panel made no difference.
Interestingly, I noticed that the game ran much better at a lower resolution (800x600) than my normal 1200x768 or whatever it is.

George

[mckenziejames04]

I tried what you said but having the High Performance NVIDIA processor or Integrated Graphics selected in the control panel made no difference.
Interestingly, I noticed that the game ran much better at a lower resolution (800x600) than my normal 1200x768 or whatever it is.

George

hmm...I have two questions about this:
1. Have you tried setting Railworks as a "Higher Priority" on the Start Task Manager?
2. Do you run the game in Full Screen or Windowed?

[GCHartley]

I run the game full screen, and no, I haven't tried that yet. I shall try it now.

George

[ttjph]

Interestingly, I noticed that the game ran much better at a lower resolution (800x600) than my normal 1200x768 or whatever it is.

Hmm... this definitely makes me think it's graphics card related somehow. Another vote for trying older / different drivers, maybe.

[lenfish]

If all else fails, there is always the nuclear option, a complete re-install of Windows 7. A right royal pain I know but..........

Regards,

Len

[scorpion71]

Do you have a spare Graphics card or perhaps borrow one? (one that your machine will take)

Methinks it could well be the case that your card may have gone kapoot or is on it's way out

Mine did a similar thing a couple of years back though it was made obvious by random fuzzy lines on the screen once the windows startup screen appeared

[RichyV]

Do you have a spare Graphics card or perhaps borrow one? (one that your machine will take)

Methinks it could well be the case that your card may have gone kapoot or is on it's way out

Mine did a similar thing a couple of years back though it was made obvious by random fuzzy lines on the screen once the windows startup screen appeared

Don't think he has that option - it's a laptop...

[RichyV]

If all else fails, there is always the nuclear option, a complete re-install of Windows 7. A right royal pain I know but..........

Regards,

Len

What about a roll-back to a previous time; by using System Restore..?

[mckenziejames04]

If all else fails, there is always the nuclear option, a complete re-install of Windows 7. A right royal pain I know but..........

Regards,

Len

What about a roll-back to a previous time; by using System Restore..?

He already did that, with no success, unfortunately

[RichyV]

If all else fails, there is always the nuclear option, a complete re-install of Windows 7. A right royal pain I know but..........

Regards,

Len

What about a roll-back to a previous time; by using System Restore..?

He already did that, with no success, unfortunately

Ah yes, I see that now.

Uninstalled the GFX drivers and used a driver-cleaner?

[GCHartley]

Sorry I haven't been replying, I've been out all day.

I tried re installing the graphics drivers but that didn't work. I'm starting to think it may be a physical hardware problem, as System Restore couldn't fix it.
I don't really want to take my laptop apart, so I might get a specialist to look at it if I have to.

George

[peterfhayes]

George
Can you go to Device Manager right click on display adapters - what does it say?
If your dedicated video card is there - right click and Properties under "Driver" what does it say for driver provider and driver version? if it is not listed then you are not able to use it.

Your HDD at 83% full worries me it is getting to the point where errors may occur more frequently and that performance of some software may be affected. Windows itself needs at least 10 - 15% to perform vital file functions.

When you run TS2013 do you have an external monitor connected - if not some laptops may not switch to the dedicated video card no matter what setting you use in the BIOS or elsewhere.
Regards
pH

[GCHartley]

I don't have an external monitor connected, although I use a HDMI cable to connect to my television once in a while. I have noticed my graphics go a bit different when I connect it to the telly.

Is there a way I can merge my empty drive D: space with the C: drive to give it much more room? I don't want to corrupt file paths etc.

Also, I had a look at Device manager and my graphics card was listed there:

Also note that it said this:

George

[gptech]

Is there a way I can merge my empty drive D: space with the C: drive to give it much more room? I don't want to corrupt file paths etc.

Easiest way would be to use Option 1 at http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/26 ... xtend.html
You'll have to delete the D: partition first, as that tutorial states but it's a relatively straight forward and painless task. As there's nothing on that logical drive you've nothing to lose but it'd be prudent to back up as much of your stuff as possible--as yours is an ailing machine there's no guarantee it'll go through the process without a hitch.

As it appears your GPU is functioning correctly, and given that the problem surfaced before you updated the drivers it's looking more and more as if you have a different hardware or configuration problem. A bit of a long shot this, but if you open Control Panel, go to System you'll get a window which shows your Windows Experience Index (WEP)--click the blue text next to the number and note down the various sub-scores and then re-run the assessment. If that brings up a score that's significantly different in any of the categories it will narrow the search down a bit.

The only change that's happened, as far as you're aware, was the Windows Update...if you go to Windows Update in Control Panel and click on 'View Update History' in the left hand pane it'll show exactly which update has been applied. Post the KB number and we can see if there are any reported issues arising from it; not all Windows Updates are reversable, so that may explain why a System Restore failed to cure the problem.