graphic card problem error "You are currently using a display attached to an NVIDIA GPU"

Question

I recently updated my windows from 8 to 8.1. Then the next day I opened my nvidia control panel where I might have clicked on a wrong option , after some hours when I opened my nvidia control panel it displayed the text "You are currently using a display attached to an NVIDIA GPU" and also my Intel HD graphics have been reduced from 4400 to 256 MB . my graphic card is NVIDIA GeForce GT 740M . Please help me to solve this problem

Answer 1

Hi Ashish,

Perhaps, you have accidentally changed the display driver setting to NVidia from Intel. So you receive a notification that says “You are currently using a display attached to an NVIDIA GPU”.

1. Are you referring to total available graphics memory for Intel graphics card that has decreased from 4400 to 256 MB?
2. Is Intel graphics card set as the on-board or integrated graphics card on the computer?
3. When do you receive the error message? Is it while launching a game or an application?

First of all, check if there are any issues with the display card's driver under Device Manager. Follow the steps listed below:

• Press Windows+X keys and select Device Manager.
• Locate the Display adapter and expand the driver icon.
• Check if there is an exclamation or a question mark beside the driver icon. If it's there, then, uninstall the driver by right clicking on it and selecting Uninstall.
• Locate the folder that has the setup file for the display driver. Double Click on it and follow the onscreen instructions to install the driver. If you still have the same issue, download latest display card's driver from NVidia's website of the computer. Choose the appropriate version of graphic's card model and the version of Windows and then download the driver.

This issue might occur if the display card’s mode is switched to dedicated card (NVidia card) from integrated card (Intel).

You can find out if the computer is actually using the NVidia card or the Intel card. Open NVidia control panel and check if the display card is configured for NVidia instead of Intel:

• Press Windows+X keys and select Control Panel.
• Go to NVIDIA Control Panel > Desktop > Display GPU Activity Icon in Notification Area. You will see a black chip picture in the taskbar. If the chip turns rainbow, which means your NVIDIA GPU is running.
• Go to NVIDIA Control Panel and click on Manage 3D Settings > Preferred Graphics Processor. Check if the display card is set to use High-performance NVIDIA processor as your preferred graphics processor.
• If you want, you can again change the setting to Intel HD graphics card (or the integrated card).

Screenshot:

You can increase the memory already allocated for the onboard graphics card by using the options in BIOS. To enter BIOS, use the manual provided by the computer’s manufacturer. When you enter the BIOS, look for the Intel HD Graphics share memory setting, which is usually placed in a category like "Advanced", "Chipset Configuration" or something like that, if you cannot find it, consult your motherboard user's manual again, as it should be listed there. When you find the setting for Intel graphics card, dedicate the required memory and press the appropriate key to save and exit from BIOS. Please, note that this memory is not actually dedicated, but is rather taken from system RAM, so if your computer has only 2GB of RAM do not set it too high as you will be left with only a small amount of system memory and your computer's performance will suffer.

Disclaimer:  Modifying BIOS/ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of BIOS/CMOS settings can be solved. Modifications of the settings are at your own risk.

For reference:

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-033984.htm

Please let us know if you need more assistance on this issue.