M15x R1, does not operate discrete GPU

Question

Background:

This problem started a few months ago. I have done nothing about it because I have another computer and I was busy, but I would like to know if this is a fixable issue. It started immediately after a recent Windows 10 update that automatically installed.

The Problem:

After the restart following the update, Windows was freezing on the splash screen, and pink/green vertical lines appeared across the entire display. I have waited several hours at the Windows splash screen, and it never boots up. I was unable to boot into safe mode, it would also freeze at the splash screen. Left with no options, I created a Windows install media USB disk. For the first time ever, I was not able to boot up from USB until I enabled legacy boot options. I eventually performed a clean install, and I again froze on the splash screen. I made a recovery disk from the previous Windows 10 version, performed a clean install, and still froze on the splash screen. I made a recovery disk from the next previous Windows 10 version, performed a clean install, and I regained the ability to boot up Windows, but only in safe mode. There, I performed some arcane command line function (it was so long ago, I don't remember precisely what I did) that I believe booted up the integrated GPU before the discrete GPU, and I could now boot up Windows outside of safe mode. From here, I attempted to reinstall the graphics driver for the discrete GPU, and the computer crashed immediately. I entered another command line function that I don't remember, and now when the driver is installed, the monitor refreshes and there's an error message that appears that says something like Windows detected an error and stopped the operation of the hardware (code 43).

That's where I am today. The computer only runs on the integrated GPU.

Another problem - the pink/green vertical lines across the display are persistent, and appear on the BIOS splash screen as well.

Any help would be appreciated, and do not hesitate to ask me for additional information on my hardware, etc.

mattyb3 · Answer

A Code 43 usually means your GPU is failing. It can also be caused by a bad driver but it's not very common. If you've tried doing clean installs and it's still happening then it sounds like it has failed.

Also, the M15x was from 2009 and the 1st Gen mobile CPU's did not have integrated graphics. If this is the machine that you have then it's still running on the dedicated GPU but just on basic functions. These laptops had MXM graphics cards so you can pull the card and replace it.

CST_Ramirez · Answer

'Also, the M15x was from 2009 and the 1st Gen mobile CPU's did not have integrated graphics. If this is the machine that you have then it's still running on the dedicated GPU but just on basic functions.' Well then I must be confused about what the stealth mode button does. I thought it shut off the discrete GPU and switched to an integrated GPU. 'These laptops had MXM graphics cards so you can pull the card and replace it.' I'm a bit reluctant to do this because I am a bit worried it wouldn't fix the problem, but I'm far from knowledgeable on this topic. If the green/pink vertical lines are caused by a faulty GPU, would it also cause the lines to appear on the BIOS splash screen? Also, is the list of laptop models you posted a list of compatible GPUs with an m15x unit? Thanks

CST_Ramirez · Answer

'You can run the pre-boot diagnostic by pressing F12 during boot.' Well, that was a disaster. I have no idea what happened, it was just a jumbled mess. None of the text was readable, and the machine was beeping at me very loudly. I don't know what it wanted me to do!

mattyb3 · Answer

Hey, the list of laptops at the end of the post is my signature, basically all the machines I currently own. The M15x has a long list of compatible MXM cards. Pretty much anything from the NVidia 200M series up to the 900M series. You can also use just about every AMD mobile card.

You can run the pre-boot diagnostic by pressing F12 during boot. This will run through your hardware and look for faults. It could be able to tell you if it's an LCD or GPU issue. It's also possible you have a bad LCD cable but it's more likely one of the first two.

mattyb3 · Answer

It sounds like you may have a display issue then. It's hard to know for sure though as the display is run by the dedicated GPU unlike laptops that have Optimus. You really need another MXM GPU to test with. You can try to pick up an old 260M as it will cost a lot less than finding a replacement LCD to test with.

A51-06 · Answer

Have you also tried doing a display test just to test the display by itself and if it’s any issue then the gpus at fault.

I would generally stay out of the gtx 260m as anything that old is beyond its estimated lifespan so I would stick to a 780m or AMD cards as they are newer.

mattyb3 · Answer

The 260M will be the cheapest card to use for testing. No point splurging on a 780M if it ends up being the display.

A51-06 · Answer

Sorry.

CST_Ramirez · Answer

'You really need another MXM GPU to test with.' The computer I'm using now is a Dell Precision m4600. It has an Nvidia Quadro 1000M. I think that will work with the M15X, but do I need to make registry changes before I do it? I don't really know much about these things... 'You can try to pick up an old 260M...' That's the GPU my M15X has. It is a bit old, isn't it....

CST_Ramirez · Answer

'Have you also tried doing a display test just to test the display by itself and if it’s any issue then the gpus at fault.' Is there a specific display test you're referring to? The F12 BIOS diagnostic was a jumbled mess, everything on the screen was unreadable.

mattyb3 · Answer

Hold SHIFT and D and press the power button

A51-06 · Answer

Then thats straight up a GPU error.

CST_Ramirez · Answer

I'm wondering how sure this determination is. I would hate to replace the GPU only to realize that the motherboard is at fault.

CST_Ramirez · Answer

I can not initiate the built-in self diagnostic (BIST) by any method I've seen. Holding D and pressing power button doesn't work, holding D + shift and pressing the power button doesn't work, and holding Fn + shift doesn't work either. In all cases I hold D, or shift + D, or Fn until the Pre-Boot System Assessment screen would appear, yet it does not. And in the case of shift + D, the machine beeps several times at maximum volume at me. Very unfortunate and jarring sound to hear. For what it's worth, the BIOS version is A09.

A51-06 · Answer

Well the motherboard cant be at fault if all the hardware works like normal except the GPU which is the reason why I say GPU instead of Motherboard as if the motherboard really didn't work then you would have no picture whatsoever and it wouldn't even turn on.

Alienware

M15x R1, does not operate discrete GPU

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