T420s Optimus Issues

Greetings,
I have a T420s that is an Optimus capable model. I am trying to achieve a 3 monitor set up and I have the correct docking station (the plus model), however, my optimus does not work properly, I have a monitor hooked up to almost every port in hopes of detecting them (2 DVI, 1 VGA, 1 Display port):
1) In Optimus Graphics Mode (Via the BIOS), when I log in to Windows, I can open up Device manager and watch the NVS 4200M drop off of the device manager and either give a generic graphics card name and indicate there is an issue with it or not appear at all
A) The NVIDIA Control panel will not load as it indicates I do not have an NVIDIA GPU installed
B) No NVIDIA Context menus are available
2) In Discrete Graphics Mode (Via the BIOS), the Intel GPU does not appear in device manager, however the NVIDIA GPU Works fine
A) NVIDIA Optimus Graphics settings do not appear under "Manage 3D Settings" on the NVIDIA control panel
B) I do not have a "View" menu on NVIDIA control panel from which I can check the feature to add GPU selection to the
right click context menu when dealing with applications
C) I somewhat expect this to be the behavior using Discrete Graphics mode
3) In integrated graphics mode (via the bios), the NVIDIA GPU does not appear under device manager, however the Intel GPU works fine.
A) I assume this is the correct behavior
NVIDIA Details:
NVS 4200M
NVIDIA Control Panel Version : 4.3.980.0
NVIDIA Driver: 276.58
Intel Details:
HD3000
I've reinstalled all GPU related drivers for both cards, and reinstalled using the generic package that lenovo provides. This has not corrected the issue. I used the ones dated April 2012, from this site.
I've reinstalled everything again, attempted to install the drivers directly from NVIDIA and it states I must install an Intel driver first before allowing me to proceed
Any ideas?

I don't think its in the list it may be somewhere else. Only current ones are listed usually. Go to the support website and see what is listed for your machine type and build number.
You may have to call support but why did the OEM image get replaced if there wasn't a customized tested image made for it. Clearly if you need this driver as well you're just starting with collection of likely issues that they may not be able to resolve. Support may say to put the image back on and then call if you have problems.
Not knowing what was done requires hands on by a seasoned tech who may be able to resolve it in time. There are machine specific which need to addressed and without them installed and the lenovo tools and Thinkvantage installed you could be in for long weekend working on it.
Good luck.
T520 Model 4239 Intel(R) Core(TM) i7-2860QM CPU @ 2.50GHz
Intel Sandy Bridge & Nvidia NVS 4200M graphics Intel N 6300 Wi-Fi adapter
Windows 7 Home Prem - 64bit w/8GB DDR3

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Yea, the Optimus issues in this generation of machines leaves a lot to be desired. And it isn't just the W520. I see weird stuff with the T420. I never restart. I always shut down and cold boot now. The Intel Series 510 SSD taught me that first but the Optimus implementation just reinforced it.

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Thanks for tip!!!
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T420: Network Issues

I installed a new hard drive today in my lenovo T420. I installed Windows 7 ultimate, but it won't recognize the internal network card. I can't find the driver anywhere, and when I try to download any kind of driver that I think would help, When i hit f5, it responds with "no network adapter found" and it also doesn't show up under computer management. I'm using a USB adapter right now, but I would like the internal card to work. Also, when I tried to install the bluetooth adapter driver, it told me that the installation couldn't complete because there was no supportable hardware. I really need help on this!
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Moderator note: corrected subject line. Was: Z585 Network Issues

Hi,
Welcome to Lenovo Community Forums!
I’m sorry to hear that network adapter is not getting detected in your Lenovo ThinkPad T420.
Check in BIOS -> Security -> I/O port access if network adapter is enabled.
Hope this helps!
Best regards,
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T420 Keyboard issues

I have a T420s and have keyboard issues.
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http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/downloads/detail.page?DocID=DS014954
use the above software to do a test on the keyboard to determine whether it is hardware or software issue.
Unfortunately the support line is open only between 8 to 5 weekday, there is no afterhour or weekend support.
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I am a volunteer, and not a paid staff of Lenovo or Microsoft

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My T420 has spent its life in a backpack, as did the T400 and T61 before it. I've never noticed this kind of problem.
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The large print: please read the Community Participation Rules before posting. Include as much information as possible: model, machine type, operating system, and a descriptive subject line. Do not include personal information: serial number, telephone number, email address, etc. The fine print: I do not work for, nor do I speak for Lenovo. Unsolicited private messages will be ignored. ... GeezBlog
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T420s wireless issue

hello,
I've jus bought a new thinkpad t420s. it was working fine the first week, but now I have discovered a problem.
the internet speed is very slow, when I'm connected with the wireless adapter. My machine has a Intel(R) WiFi Link 1000 BGN.
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I manage a network in a small office and have a similar issue. Here are the details:
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Dear all,
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The setting was already at disabled.
I thought, this might be the problem I was experience, as it was only when I used Ethernet rather than WiFi: DPC latency + audio/mouse skip and stutter on t420... - Lenovo Community
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Hiya all,
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you did not install the ultranav driver to get the Ultranav pop up window that allows you to switch between trackpoint and trackpad.
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May this year, be the year of 'DO'!
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Thinkpad t520 dual boot win 7 and arch + optimus issue

--today I got my first laptop and first thinkpad..... thinkpad t520 with the following specifications:-
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Last edited by big mac (2012-02-04 13:46:40)

the Arch partition should take some space from the windows7_os partition. You should keep the Lenovo_Recovery partition if you don't have a Windows installation DVD, or if you think you may want to reset your hard drive to its original state someday. In my laptop I have completely removed it.
I have a dual boot of Archlinux/Windows7, and I use the following partitioning
/dev/sda1 ntfs 60.0GiB /media/C (for windows os)
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Hello,
I have a T420 running Windows 7 Ultimate 64bit. When I print a document, a pdf or doc, it does not print the entire document. It will print part of it, the top or bottom part. All other computers print documents properly. The printer is an HP V30. The T420 recognizes the printer. Device Manager has no yellow ? marks.
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Make sure the driver you have installed is the correct one for your HP V30. Now, when I went to the HP site to look for your driver, there was no downloadable version. They offered two alternatives:
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T420 Game Issue

I have a T420 with the NVIDIA graphics card, Intel core i5 and 8 gig of ram. I was trying to play the game Scourge of War Gettysburg (http://www.scourgeofwar.com/index.shtml) but it will not open. All the further I can get is a screen that says initializing, then it stops on this screen. Nothing else happens until I close it using the task manager. The image doesn’t move or change. The only clues I have are the mouse does not work on the screen and an error message I found using game booster:
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Set in Nvidia control panel to use only Nvidia when running the application?
*Non Lenovo employee*
I have a Y2P (i5) ... Feel free to ping me if you want me to test some applications with your Y2P if you have the same model. I don't mind keep doing recovery on it if needed .... =)

GS70 Stealth Optimus Issues

Good Afternoon Eveyone,
When I first got the laptop it would switch over from the Intel Card to the Nvidia card as it should, at least based on the color indicator on the power button.
For some reason, the power button is always glowing red/amber which I believe means that the Nvidia card is in use. Even if I have just booted up the system and have it idling on the home screen it continues to show that the Nvidia card is being used.
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Iamexperiencingthesameissueasyou.Icanno tseemtohitthespacebarpropperlywhenmyrig htthumbistotherightofthewhitemark.
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Does T420S Optimus nvidia controller (nvs 4200m) support 3dvision on an external monitor?

All:
I use 3dvision for video and photos. I've tried initially to move my 3dvision compatible monitor to the displayport output on the T420s. All of the 3dvision software loads but it does not appear that I can shift into the correct video mode. Does anyone know if this is possible with the NVS 4200m. The toughest aspect of this mode would be the ability to output 1920x1080x120hz.
Thanks
Ken

ksdehoff wrote:
Displayport. For now I've got a passive Displayport to DVI adapter so it only does single link but I've tried running 1280x720x120hz which is within the capability of single link - but no 120hz option.
Window might not be detecting the display correctly, see if you can find a driver for the monitor. If not you'll have to force it.

T420 trackpad issues of a different type

My T420's trackpad seems to 'stick' on use. By that I mean that if I use it to navigate and then tap for a click (i.e. scroll bar), it then does not recognize further taps unless I first move via the trackpad, which is then also sticky.
This is a royal pain, can it be fixed?

Are you using the TrackPoint mouse buttons (above) with the touchpad?
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