Minimum goal: Ability to switch between the graphic cards without drivers re-installation. Restarting computer in the process is fine.
There are lots of 'how to get switchable graphics to work' guides but I found none on how to configure a system for switchable graphics operation on Ubuntu from the ground up, nor explaining the current driver situation for particular computer models (integrated+discrete combinations).
Examples:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/HybridGraphics
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Switchable_Graphics
My system being mature and on Intel integrated card also makes things complicated.
System information:
Ubuntu 12.04 amd64, installed clean with system configured to use only the integrated Intel card
Lenovo Thinkpad T500
Intel GMA 4500MHD / ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650
Current situation:
Mature and up-to-date system with no configuration changes to what's given above.
I've made a backup image of the system (Clonezilla) so regardless of what's written below let's assume it's our starting point. If something in What I have already tried is not clear you may as well diregard it.
What I have already tried:
Configuring BIOS to switchable graphics and:
- Installing Additional Hardware drivers - returned an error.
- Installing proprietary amd-driver-installer-12.6-legacy-x86.x86_64.run automatically - system starts to 'low-graphics mode'.
- Tried fixing as per https://help.ubuntu.com/community/BinaryDriverHowto/ATI#Manually_installing_Catalyst_12.6.2C_special_case_for_Intel.2BAC8-ATI_hybrid_graphics
- Got lost, gave up.
BIOS settings:
Please note that while configuring BIOS for integrated graphics only is pretty straightforward, configuring for switchable graphics is not. Despite that if you know the driver installation part well, I'm willing to test all the BIOS settings combinations on my own.
