Broken GPU? how do I know?

Question

Guys, I've been searching net for some time already, but I stopped due to futility.

I have Alienware M17X bought roughly 2 years ago and it was running smoothly. Till now. It was ALWAYS standing on my desk, never moved to another place, it did not get any fluids on it, etc. I took good care of it , avoided any potential "everyday" dangers.

2 days ago, during playing SWTOR game, it got frozen, BSOD appeared and then I had to restart in the "hard way" - meaning disconnecting the power cable, and removing the battery. The system came back but it disabled the nVidia GTX560M GPu, stating the infamous "code 43". Immediately after it started downloading some Windows 7 updates, but the one for nVidia did not succeed. I have tried to reinstall the drivers (used ALL avail options from Dell and nVidia sites),

I also tried to "enable" the card in Safe Mode (did not work at all) and what have you. I have checked numerous forums, most of them referring to SLI issues, but WHAT if I have just single GPU? I Was on Windows forums, nVidia forums, googled and WIKI-ed it. No solution for my case.

At this point I give up, I need professional help, stating whether my GPU just died, or it is just a software conflict. Since my Alien has integrated Intel graphics, I still can use the laptop, but obviously I cannot play games.

Now, paying some 1900 EURO for a rig that does not even survive 2 years is rather pathetic. I could have the same stuff for 3 times less and I would know I cannot expect much of it.

Nevertheless, the question I have is:

- HOW can I check if my GPU just broke mechanically, so I need to replace it? Is there any program that does it?
- if the above is not the case WHAT can I do to make it RUN again?

Windows code 43 is extremely generic and refers to both options, i seem not to be able to eliminate any of them.

Thanks for your help!

System specs:

Win7 Home Premium 64bit

bios: InsydeH2O v 1.0 A08

CPU: Intel Core i7 2760QM, 2,4 GHz

RAM:4095 GB

GPU: nVidia GeForce 560GTX M

and Intel HD Graphics 3000.

If I missed any important information let me know, pls!

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi PrzemoNo,

I appreciate the trouble shooting steps tried. Please check if the graphic card is listed in the Main tab in BIOS. Tap F2 at startup to open the BIOS screen.

Please run diagnostics on the graphics card. Please click on the below link:

http://dell.to/18jhlEt

Under ‘Hardware’ from the listed components under ‘Diagnostic Selector’ select ‘Video card’ and then click on ‘Run Diagnostics’. Follow on screen instruction to run the test and reply to this post with the status to assist you further. Run Video card stress test as well.

PrzemoNo · Answer

Dear Sujatha K,

Thanks for coming back to me. I really appreciate that.

Please let me tell you that I have already sought help in Dell Support Center where I have bought the laptop (Poland) and I have been advised by one of team members that I need to run the "Dell diagnostics:" I have done that and provided the results to that person. Avaiting further advices now.

Besides, before i wrote here, I have already done the diagnostiscs by PC checkup (via dowloaded Dell programme calles Alien Autopsy). This one has NOT found any problems, for 1 simple reason: it states the nVidia GPU is "switched off" and it cannot be tested. Instead it tested the Intel integrated graphics with no issues reported (obviously).

My BIOS sees the card, stating " Discrete Graphics 1 nvidia GFX".

All that did not provide an answer to me whether the card is broken or I have software conflict.

Therefore I conatcted you here and Polish Support Center by phone.

However if you advise me that I still need to run the diagnostics as suggested in your post, I adjust to it and perform as requested.

Thanks for your help!

Regards,

PN

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi PrzemoNo,

Thank you for the update. Since the card is detected in the BIOS, I suspect it is the driver issue. Please uninstall the driver from the Device Manager. Also check the option Delete the driver software from this device while uninstalling. Next restart the system and update BIOS and NVidia driver from the links given below:

BIOS: http://dell.to/1buQ61j

NVidia graphics: http://dell.to/Iwxvpq

Restart the system after each update. Let me know the status after the drivers update.
Note: This system model is shipped with NVidia GTX 260M, hence provided the driver for the same. Let me know if the system has different video card.

PrzemoNo · Answer

Hello Sujatha K,

Thanks for updating me.

i will follow the steps as advised.

Actually my system was shipped with nVidia GeForce 560M GTX card.

Thus I suppose the drivers should be as follow:

http://www.dell.com/support/drivers/pl/pl/pldhs1/DriverDetails/Product/alienware-m17x-r3?driverId=G5PWN&osCode=W764&fileId=2731104405&languageCode=pl&categoryId=VI

Please advise in case the above driver is outdated or for any reason I need to use the 260 M drivers

Thanks!

Regards,

Przemek

DELL-Sujatha K · Answer

Hi Przemek,

The links I provided for BIOS and Video card is for Alienware M17X. The link you have posted is for Alienware M17X R3. Please send me a private message with the system service tag to provide the exact link for BIOS and video card. Please click on my name and click Start Conversation to send me a private message.

PrzemoNo · Answer

Hello,

Just wanted to provide an update:

I have re-installed Windows, applied the newest BIOS, used Alien Autopsy and whatever other tool available and the situation did not improve at all.

The original nVidia driver for GTX 560M is causing BSODs. All the time.

The newer one (ver. 306) does not RUN. I mean the card is constantly "switched off".

I did the re-installations few times already, and always use the "clean installation".

What's the next step?

Do I really have to send my laptop to the service?

GPU is recognised by the system, either by Win 7 or BIOS. it just does not run.

Thanks!

Kaldranis · Answer

Hello, Any updates on this as my Alienware has the exact same problem and I can't find a solution anywhere.

PrzemoNo · Answer

Hey. Unfortunately no, there was no answer to that. I had to send the laptop to repair center. (which was a hassle by itself, cos residing in one country and having purchased the machine in another caused significant delays and etra travel effort). Funny thing was that the "technicians" told me that my motherboard is broken and GPU as well. They suggested replacing both. When I started asking what was broken in MB (and what reasons there were, cos the system did not mention any issue with MB) they all of the sudden decided that only the GPU is broken and replaced it. While the time of "repairs" was relatively short and efficient, the time I spent on internet and traveling/ sending the laptop was a major pain. After all I didi not learn WHAT was the cause of the whole issue.

But so far so good, I can play again. Mind you SWTOR is not particularly demanding game for GPUs.

EdoLegend · Answer

Hi i'm having the same problem with my Alienware m17x R4. It's also 2 years old now, but my question is did you have to pay for those repair? i also use it as my desk computer and since a week now it isn't using the GPU anymore.

Hope your system works fine now haha,

PrzemoNo · Answer

yes, i had to pay.. Machine was out of warranty. The costs were not particularly high. I actually think I got bit lucky, cos there are not much GTX 560 M still available.

if I would have to go for new MB +GPU, I would definitely think of buying new rig. Still those are rather pricey.

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Broken GPU? how do I know?

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