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I get this question a LOT: "Why hasn't Intel released WDDM drivers for the 915 integrated graphics chipset? I can't run the fancy visual effects in Windows Vista, like Aero Glass, without one!"

People hardest hit by this issue include virtually all Tablet PC and UMPC users, along with lots and lots of people using laptops with that particular Intel integrated graphics chipset. I personally have two systems, a Lenovo X41 Tablet PC and an Asus R2H UMPC, that are affected. The Intel Software Network forum is full of complaints, rants, and even veiled threats on the topic - implying that we, Intel, are sitting on the driver, or not releasing it for some unknown reason (most speculate that it's because we want to force people to upgrade to a newer, more powerful graphics solution).

In this video, I sat down with Intel's Chuck DeSylva, right after he gave a presentation at GDC 2007 on the topic of optimizing your games to take advantage of the Intel G965 graphics chip. I asked him the million dollar question: Why are there no WDDM drivers for Intel 915 graphics?

Watch the video for the answer. It's about 3.5 minutes long, and weighs in at 22MB if you want to download it directly.

The short version (if you're impatient): The WDDM Vista driver spec came out long after the 915 design was complete and in production, and even though it has advanced features like Pixel Shader 2.0, there is a missing hardware feature, called the Hardware Scheduler, that 915 lacks, and without that, it doesn't meet the WDDM spec from Microsoft, and we (Intel) can't release a WDDM driver for it.

There. It's done. I hope that answers your questions. Please link your friends and associates to this video/post for the "definitive" answer.

As always, we're open to your feedback, so please feel free to post a comment, respond in the ISN forums, or contact me directly if you have any more questions or issues.


's picture

...but could we run aero even without hardware scheduler?

..if you would just release a beta driver with aero support, we would be very happy!

Josh Bancroft (Intel)'s picture

We can't do that, because Microsoft won't let us release a WDDM driver that doesn't meet the WDDM spec. We can't call it/certify it WDDM because it doesn't meet the spec, and Aero Glass won't run because the driver isn't WDDM.

I know it sucks, but that's what we're up against. :-(

's picture

The question was: what would happend if you would release the driver... Would it work? would it work on some stuff but not all?

Lets play that microsoft would give you green light to do it?

Josh Bancroft (Intel)'s picture

I don't know the for sure answer to that question, but I'd guess it's something like "we don't have enough people/time/resources to spend writing a driver that we know won't meet the spec". It would be awesome if it happened, but it would also be awesome if Intel decided to buy a Ferrari for everyone who bought one of our products... :-(

's picture

The guy just repeated whats on the Intel website. Whoopdy doo. As stated before they dont want to release drivers. Yes, Aero &amp; Glass can and will work on the gma900 if it had drivers. Period. This is just another stupid excuse from Intel.

's picture

I feel seriously cheated.

Can't wait to cut my tablet pc open and tear the 915GM out to replace it with a 945... Guess I WILL upgrade soon, but this time I'll make sure that the unit won't include an Intel chipset, just to be on the safe side...

I recommend everyone else who's bothered by this does the same. It's a pitty that Intel ignores its customers like this, albeit we're the ones who drive profits...

Cheated is the right word, indeed.

Josh Bancroft (Intel)'s picture

@grim - It would work if we could make WDDM drivers. We can't make the drivers, because the hardware doesn't meet the Microsoft WDDM spec. What more could we do?

@Habib - Microsoft controls the WDDM spec, not us. We can't go back in time to add hardware features to old chips to meet a new standard from Microsoft.

Yes, it sucks, but I don't think you're being fair or rational by blaming the issue on Intel.

's picture

Josh, thanks, I am well aware that even Intel can't go back in time (or can you?!?)

I also did understand that part about the WDDM spec. However, in one of your posts it sounded like the 915GM WOULD work if only you were "allowed" to make WDDM driver.

Now, Microsoft is big, no doubt, but Intel isn't the smallest pea in the pot itself, and I believe that Intel could negotiate with Microsoft on this, since the userbase of the 915GM is quite large. After all, a working solution, if communicated correctly, would be in Microsoft's interest as well (think of the lost business for them caused by this).

Am I completely out of the picture here?

Josh Bancroft (Intel)'s picture

That sounds about correct regarding what would have to happen to enable 915 to do the fancy Vista Premium stuff. Only Microsoft knows for sure what the impact of the missing hardware features (hardware scheduler, namely) in the 915 would be. But it's up to them to decide to change the spec.

's picture

And it's up to you guys to put on some pressure on them in the interest of your customers, that is. ;-)

Let me know if I can be of any assistance on that matter, More petitions can be drawn up easily.