New HP i5 Nvidia laptop won't work SL - screen impossible to see, flashing etc. Any ideas please?

[SylviaStarship2]

I used SL for years on my old laptop but wanted a better graphics so got an Nvidia - just logged in and it's horrendous - can't see anything, can't click on anything, got wierd flashing all over, juddering, things floating, can't click on any preferences, or type anywhere to try to adjust anything. Any ideas guys???

[Rolig Loon]

Did you update the graphics drivers as soon as you got the machine?  When you buy a new computer, there's a pretty good chance that some components have been on the shelf in a warehouse for a few months, so their software is already out of date.  NVidia and AMD and Intel upgrade drivers several times a year, so try updating yours and see if that helps.  See https://community.secondlife.com/t5/English-Knowledge-Base/Graphics-cards/ta-p/700073#Section_.1.5 .

[Whirly Fizzle]

I suspect the viewer is using the integrated Intel graphics & that laptop likely has a Skylake processor.

If so, you are likely being hit by https://jira.secondlife.com/browse/BUG-10819

Update the Intel graphics driver to the latest version, which has a fix for the flashing bug.

Then you need to set the viewer to use the Nvidia card rather then the integrated graphics,

If you right click the viewer shortcut, you should see an option to run using the high performance (Nvidia) graphics.
If you dont see that option then enable it like this: http://acer--uk.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/9073/~/assigning-a-graphics-card-to-an-application-with-nvidia-optimus
That's an Acer forum but the method is the same for most optimus laptops.

It's better however to just have the viewer to automatically run using the Nvidia card.
This video explains how to set that:

- follow the "Assigning graphics solution for an application" steps starting at 57s.