So, I discovered that at some point the ability to use switchable graphics (fixed or dynamic) has been removed from my PC. I have NO idea how or why or how to fix it. I knew my computer was running some things slower than it should have been, but this may be why the graphics arent quite where they should be. Note: I DO NOT KNOW WHEN EXACTLY THIS HAPPENED. Things that may have changed before during or since this event include everything from flash updates to replacing the keyboard and the cord that connects the LCD and camera to the motherboard. I cannot give any definite or approximate information in this area. :/
Stats:
HP notebook - Envy 14t-2000 CTO
graphics cards:
"AMD Radeon 6600M and 6700M series" <- this is what both Device Manager AND the AMD CCC tell me its called. something tells me it should be more specific, but it isnt. I do not know why.
Intel HD Graphics 3000
both drivers = "up to date"
AMD version 14.1, dated 17-apr-14
Intel version 9.17.10.3347 dated 29-jan-14
OS: Win7 64 - Home Premium
BIOS settings are set to "Dynamic" instead of "Fixed", and BIOS version is also the the upgraded version from HP.
I have a game that is apparently incompatible for some reason with intel's graphics card, but if i could run it specifically with my other card, it would work. This is just one reason i would like to fix this problem.
This is a visual version of my problem:
http://i.imgur.com/AxvTgfB.png
http://i.imgur.com/K8IBkut.png
According to HP and everywhere else, i SHOULD have an option to use "Switchable Graphics", but this option is missing on my machine, and clicking it directly results in a blank page. Can anyone help me here? Preferably detailed help, but anything that works and doesnt break more things than it fixes is useful.
Additional potentially useful information: I HAVE had problems with this card simply not working in the past, though I thought i fixed it when i updated the driver and it stopped telling me it was "not functioning properly".
Additional information will be found and provided if necessary and possible. I may take apart this laptop (far out of warranty anyway, so worth a shot) to see if there is a physical identifier on the graphics card that would help.