17 R1, error code 43 on Discrete Graphics

Question

Hello Guys, I have an old 2014 Alienware 17 R1 (I know, pretty obsolete but it is what I have), with an error code 43 on the Graphics Card, and I also have two "unknown" devices listed under device manager area.

I have tried a lot of things:

I reseated and cleaned every component related to the graphics card to make sure this was not a hardware failure

I uninstalled the device and let windows do the reinstallation, but it always goes to the 43 error

I forced disabled it, and reinstalled it again, reinstalled the latest graphic drivers (there was a point where my computer froze and ran into a blue screen a few times), ran the Dell Support Assist (which shows "no issues" because it doesn't run the tests as the GeForce is just "not there"so it ran the tests on the intel graphics card.

The unknown devices are: root complex PCI express and ACPI Compliant System, because they lack the drivers, I have updated the drivers for the computer in every possible way, straight from the website, some 3rd party driver installer and manually and somehow the error still doesnt go away. I have tried some other things I don't remember at the moment.

The Bios does recognize the Graphics card. and the FN+F5 doesn't work at all (change graphics card hotkey).

What I would like to know before giving up is that if this problem can be caused by a defective graphics card.

Any help would be appreciated you can ask me if I have performed some other steps and I'm sure I'll remember if I read them.

Greg

mattyb3 · Accepted Answer

Hello,

There are usually three main causes of the dreaded Code 43.

1. Faulty Driver.

2. Corrupted or wrong vBIOS

3. Faulty Card

Unfortunately it's usually option #3. If you have tried multiple drivers then your next step is to try reflashing the vBIOS using NVFlash. There are lots of guides on how to do this. Basically you need to download NVFlash and extract the files into a folder named NVFlash on your C: drive. Then you grab a compatible vBIOS from TechPowerUp and put this file into the NVFlash folder. You then disable the GPU in Device Manager and run CMD in Administrator. Then you go into the NVFlash directory and run the flash using the correct prompts.

Just note that you do this at your own risk as a last resort.

I have heard that it can sometimes just be fixed by disabling the card in Device Manager, rebooting and enabling it again. That does not work very often though.

If you find that the card is faulty then you can easily replace/upgrade it as it is a standard MXM card. Plug and play cards include the GTX 770M, 780M, 860M, 880M and AMD R9 M290X (8970M). You can upgrade easily to a 970M or 980M and even a 1060 or 1070 with a little extra work.

Greg.S · Answer

Thank you very much

To be very honest I just wanted that little push to decide and get a replacement graphics card. I don't I'll go with the reflash, this PC has been thorugh a lot.

Thanks for your time and knowledge

Greg

mattyb3 · Answer

No problem. Good luck with the replacement/upgrade and let us know if you have any issues.

I'd suggest to watch some disassembly videos first so you know how to safely work on the inside of your laptop without damaging any components.

Here is a full disassembly guide but you'll just need the GPU part. The official Dell disassembly video shows them removing the GPU with the heatsink still attached. I do not suggest you do this as it's a very tight fit and you can do some damage to the old card, heatsink and MXM port.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LqIOo45uhLo

Alienware

17 R1, error code 43 on Discrete Graphics

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