Windows not recognizing GPU

[bpetit]

I played Railworks most of time yesterday with no problems. Today I find out Windows has 'forgotten' my GT 540M card. I've reinstalled and uninstalled with no luck.

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I've posted my system info below.

[arizonachris]

sys Info is saying that the Intel graphics is active, not the Nvidia. Go into BIOS and make sure the Intel is disabled (or in Device Manager) and make sure the Nvidia is enabled. You may also want to be sure that the Intel graphics drivers have been uninstalled thru Programs and Features. You can also use Driver Sweeper (be careful to only remove Intel Graphics drivers). Where did you get the Nvidia graphics drivers? They should only be available at Toshiba for that specific model. You can get mobile drivers from Nvidia, but they warn against it, because the maker of the laptop can and usually does make changes to the drivers.

In theory, Windows should not be able to make changes to the BIOS, but random crap does happen. Like if the CMOS backup battery is bad, BIOS will reset to default settings when the power is removed from the laptop.

[bpetit]

going to try your solutions above. Is it a possibility I could have fried the card?

[bpetit]

I uninstalled the display drivers using the sweeper and installed the drivers from Toshiba.

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I don't get it I can't even open Nvidia Control Panel nor can I set my display to use the 540.

[NYWhiskey]

Have you tried to take the card out and re-seat it? Or try a different slot?

[bpetit]

I don't even know how to do that and its still under warranty. I really don't want to send it back to them.

[mrennie]

Two days ago, I got the exact same error for my discrete graphics card and had to revert to using the built-in Intel HD 4000. On my laptop, you switch between them by pressing Fn F7 and rebooting. If I try to reboot with the faulty discrete card selected, it won't reboot but gives a beep code (6 beeps). Dell are sending a tech guy to replace the card and, just in case, the motherboard. That error does mean the card is fried.

[arizonachris]

Could be the Nvidia graphics is fried. I recommend anyone with a laptop to get a cooler pad to put underneath. And don't set it on your lap! Blocks the airflow.

Reseating a graphics "card" in a laptop is difficult at best, as well as replacing one. Not easy to open up a laptop. And you can't just swap cards like you can with a desktop.

I just had a thought. The way the graphics are being used can be by design. I forget what they call it, but some laptops use the low power onboard Intel graphics, then as needed the higher power Nvidia graphics kicks in. Sometimes this is automatic, but a lot of laptops need to have a switch on the outside flipped or a button pushed, then the laptop rebooted. You Toshiba could be using that technology. Not sure what else to suggest.

[bpetit]

I've never had it on my lap ever. I did have a cooler for it but it died about 2 days ago. The temperatures were well within limits.

Dam. I'll have to save up for desktop. I already went through 3 laptops.


Thanks Chris for trying to help.

[bpetit]

Is a GPU failure covered under warranty? I'm not sure.

Found my Critical Error in the Event logger.

I just finished playing BF Bad Company 2 and I decided to play GTA IV next. It froze and BSOD'd on me at 1:39am.

[arizonachris]

Usually a warranty will cover any failure unless the laptop has been opened by other than an authorized repair facility. But, as they say, "your mileage may vary".

As for that error, it's all Greek to me, except the "kernal" part. That is the heart of the Windows operating system, also the heart of many drivers, like graphics drivers. Kernal errors can be from overheating or just poorly coded drivers. The kernal is also the heart of video games. Folks are always talking about how RW needs the core or kernal redone. But I don't see a whole lot of errors like yours popping up. And it's not just related to RW as you proved last night.

[mrennie]

Is a GPU failure covered under warranty? I'm not sure.

Found my Critical Error in the Event logger.

I just finished playing BF Bad Company 2 and I decided to play GTA IV next. It froze and BSOD'd on me at 1:39am.

It depends on the manufacturer and the laptop model. My Dell Alienware has a 1-year warranty that expired in May, but Dell are going to replace my GTX 675M graphics card and motherboard free of charge. They say that it's covered by the 2-year warranty mandated by law, which would normally be a "collect and return" warranty, but because it's a premium model (M17xR4), they're sending a service engineer here to do the repairs. I'm very pleased with the service I get from Dell.

[up_8677]

Have you seen any graphical artifacting while gaming? Is that the only time it has BSOD'd?

[bpetit]

Never saw anything to indicate it was failing.

[mrennie]

The service engineer's just been to replace the graphics card and motherboard in my laptop and now it's all working perfectly again.