Vortex 17.3 GTX 880M maybe dying? (video dxgkrnl fatal error)

[vicalv]

Dear PC Specialist community,

As the title suggests, I have an old Vortex Series 17.3" bought back in 2014 when I lived in the UK. Great machine, never had an issue. Yes I know is pretty old and things like the one sugeested in the title of this thread can happen.

Well, since last tuesday (july 14th), the laptop started to BSOD with video_dxgkrnl_fatal_error. When going back to windows, if I go to "Device Manager", the GTX 880m becomes uninstalled as "Microsoft Basic Graphics Adapter". However, a simple reboot showed back the GTX 880m again, until the next BSOD...

In bluescreenview, a small software to show your minidump files, I can see that indeed the problem is on dxgkrnl.sys.

I have reinstalled several NVIDIA drivers and also had a Windows 10 clean install (I first thought that would be may 2020 update, since I never had any issue).

Now, on the last BSOD, if I head to the BIOS (Never updated it), it shows a gtx 780m (?????) instead of my good old friend (GTX 880m)...

Now, I know there aren't any miracles. It appears to be a hardware problem and the GPU, after 6 years is dying. What I am asking the experts of the forum is:


Maybe trying to open the laptop and cleaning the GPU slot can bring back this bad boy? I obviously always cleaned the fans and etc, but never did a repaste on the GPU/CPU.

Since the rest of the machine still works, and I will not be buying a new one soon (In my home country I cannot find yet good options such as pc specialist right now), if the GPU is really dead, can I just disable it on "Device manager" and keep using the integrated one? For my field (engineering), the rig is still fine for most of everyday work...

Third and last (I promise ), can I try to update the BIOS in order to try to save this bad boy? How dangerous is to update the BIOS? I never did on this rig and I could not find on my download section any update.

Sorry for the long post, but any help is appreciated.

Greetings from Brazil!

Kindest Regards,

Victor

 

[SpyderTracks]

Hiya, I do have exactly the same chassis but with a GTX 870m

Where are you getting the latest driver?

 

[ubuysa]

For now, don't update the BIOS until you've exhausted all other possibilities.

For the record, you can disable the Nvidia GPU and run on the IGPU.

 

[vicalv]

Hiya, I do have exactly the same chassis but with a GTX 870m

Where are you getting the latest driver?

Dear SpyderTracks, Thank you for your response!


Until I had the BSOD, I had the 425.31 latest available driver installed, from geforce experience. After the problem began, I have clean installed Windows 10 v1909 and I am using the default drivers, which are 382.05 from Windows Update.

What I just finished doing was repasting the thermal paste for this rig for both CPU (intel core i7 4710mq) and for the GPU itself.

Right now, I am waiting to see if any new BSOD comes up. One strange thing is that, after removing the battery, and doing the repaste and turning on the PC again, the BIOS showed again GTX 880M. I am really confused.

 

[vicalv]

For now, don't update the BIOS until you've exhausted all other possibilities.

For the record, you can disable the Nvidia GPU and run on the IGPU.

• Dear Ubuysa, Thank you for your response!
  
  I won't update the BIOS after trying anything possible. So far, what I did:
  
  
• Used old/new NVIDIA drivers (mainly 382.05 and the newest for my GPU, which is 425.31)
• Reinstalled Windows 10 (Versions 2004 and 1909)
• 
  
  I am beginning to wonder if my attached battery (which is only 12Wh from the original 76.96Wh possibles, it's dead), could be surging my system? Is that even a possibility ? This is the last thing Left to test, apart from the power connector itself, I think.
  
  I've tested the memory (windows diag), the processor (Intel Diag Toool), and the HDDs seems fine.

 

[vicalv]

Another thing that I thought on doing was to check the GPU voltages, or even try to undervolt it to see if the problem gets fixed...

I would like to say that I have NEVER done any overclock on this PC. Neither on the GPU nor on the CPU. Just used CLEVO Control center to change the presets (Performance, Silent Mode, etc.)

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Kind Regards,
Victor

 

[ubuysa]

Not sure about a battery surging but if it's faulty/wearing out, then it may be affecting things. Have you tried removing the battery and running it off the mains? @SpyderTracks This is okay to do right?

Yes it's OK to do and a sensible test.

 

[vicalv]

Not sure about a battery surging but if it's faulty/wearing out, then it may be affecting things. Have you tried removing the battery and running it off the mains? @SpyderTracks This is okay to do right?

NURSEMORPH, thank you for your response!

I just removed the battery and I am using the system right now. Will update if anything comes up. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

[vicalv]

Fingers crossed.....if it works fine, then it may simply be a case of getting a new battery

Sadly, just had another BSOD :

On the last picutre above, "Adaptador de vídeo básico da Microsoft" = Microsoft basic graphics adapter, and that would be the GTX 880M.

I have no options right now left...

 

[vicalv]

After the BSOD, The BIOS recognizing it as a 780M (????):

 

[SpyderTracks]

No idea what’s happening. The fact that it’s only started after a repast suggests something loose perhaps inside the case. But I’m flummoxed.

 

[vicalv]

No idea what’s happening. The fact that it’s only started after a repast suggests something loose perhaps inside the case. But I’m flummoxed.

It only booted on GTX 880M after I removed the current NVIDIA driver. I am still not convinced that this is a hardware issue, it appears to be a driver one + Windows update (it started EXACTLY after the updates from july 14th, but I might be biased).

What I did now:

After the most recent BSOD, I removed the nvidia driver, then rebooted. On the bios, Now I have a GTX 880M Again (??????):

What I am going to do now to finally understand if this is driver + software or hardware is to dual boot on Ubuntu and play some games and try to use the PC normally.

If anything happens, like a linux kernel panic, then the only remaining possibility is hardware.

In addition, on the Windows partition, I will disable the GTX 880M on the device manager and also try to use it normally (besides games, obviously). If the BSOD persists on that environment also, then it is hardware.

If neither of the possibilites aforementioned happens, then it is something related to software/driver. Is that sound like a good approach ?

Kind Regards,

Victor

 

[SpyderTracks]

What I am going to do now to finally understand if this is driver + software or hardware is to dual boot on Ubuntu and play some games and try to use the PC normally.

That’s a really good idea.

If neither of the possibilites aforementioned happens, then it is something related to software/driver. Is that sound like a good approach ?

yeah, that’s a great test to try.

 

[vicalv]

That’s a really good idea.

yeah, that’s a great test to try.

Thanks, just finished installed POP OS 20.04 and will be trying in on the next few days.

However, I would like to know if there is any BIOS update for this laptop MoBo or for the GPU (or even both), from a secure source of course (CLEVO/PCS/etc). Can you point me to a website or something? Just in case as a last attempt.

Thank you in advance!

 

[ubuysa]

I believe that you need to contact PCS for a BIOS update as doing it yourself invalidates the warranty

He no longer has any warranty (bought in 2014).

@vicalv I've never seen that BSOD before. The Microsoft bug check analysis documentation says only 'this bug check appears very infrequently'. That being the case my money is firmly on the GPU failing. If this bug check could be ever be issued for a software reason then there would be a lot more information available on how to diagnose it.

 

[vicalv]

As an update, I have been running Ubuntu 20.04 LTS and I did not have any kernel panic and any problem of any sort... Opened CSGO, played some minutes, Closed it and nothing wrong happened. I am really confused. In addition, I would like to point that my BIOS version (early 2014 version after some digging on the web) is pretty old and I think that might be the problem, I am not sure.

There is another individual with the same problem on a GTX 870m:

VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR whenever I close a Program

Hello, I get the BSOD VIDEO_DXGKRNL_FATAL_ERROR, whenever I close a game or a program like Unreal Engine 4, once it restarts, windows deletes all of my graphics drivers and my Geforce 870M is

answers.microsoft.com

The EXACT same issue, BSOD after closing a 3d application and going back to the desktop.

On the Ubuntu, I have the option of not having to use the "on Demand" graphics options after all. I can choose to use only the NVIDIA graphics adapter, and it just works (see attached image)
CSGO Running on Ubuntu (Note the High FPS, using my GTX 880M) (see attached image)

My theory is that the problem might be an outdated BIOS. With new Windows 10, the switchable graphics options is "broken" between the new Windows 10 updates and the BIOS.

I asked with a inbox message to PCS from my account for the most recent version of the P170SM-A from them. I don't know if they will respond since my warrant is long gone, but I know that other resellers just send the BIOS when people ask them. Is that the case with PCS ?

Hiya, I do have exactly the same chassis but with a GTX 870m




Where are you getting the latest driver?

What is the version of your BIOS? If PCS do not supply their newest BIOS version from this motherboard, I have found some from the original reseller (CLEVO) on notebookreview forums (the most recent one from may 2015, mine is from JANUARY 2014 BIOS 1.03.03TPCS, EC 1.03.04) is it ok to flash those?

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

 

[SpyderTracks]

What is the version of your BIOS? If PCS do not supply their newest BIOS version from this motherboard, I have found some from the original reseller (CLEVO) on notebookreview forums (the most recent one from may 2015, mine is from JANUARY 2014 BIOS 1.03.03TPCS, EC 1.03.04) is it ok to flash those?

This is my BIOS version taken from System Information in Windows:

I don't think it will be a BIOS issue as a windows update wouldn't connect with the BIOS in this way. But you can apply the BIOS updates from Clevo, they're the same ones that PCS supply and as your warranty has expired it doesn't matter if you get it direct from PCS or clevo. But I wouldn't use any from any forums as you can't verify their source, I would go direct to www.clevo.com.tw

This error is normally driver related and the fact it works fine in ubuntu suggests this also.

Just out of interest have you repasted the laptop since you've had it? What are the temps like?

 

[vicalv]

I have found the most recent one from the forum that I mentioned before, if PCS does not respond I will try this one, it appears to be just a mirror from the CLEVO ones (when they were available). I just wanted to know if it is secure to flash this CLEVO ones on a PCS machine. I read a lot about it and one thing is to be sure that the new flashed BIOS is newer than the one that is previously on the Machine. Thank you for clarifying that I can use the CLEVO ones.

This is my BIOS version taken from System Information in Windows:

View attachment 17344

I don't think it will be a BIOS issue as a windows update wouldn't connect with the BIOS in this way. But you can apply the BIOS updates from Clevo, they're the same ones that PCS supply and as your warranty has expired it doesn't matter if you get it direct from PCS or clevo.

What I tried to say is that there it might be a new incompatibility between the firmware installed on the BIOS, and the new Windows 10 builds. However, I am not sure.

In addition, this "American Megatrends Inc 4.6.5" only gives the information about the American Megatrends "GUI" Or basic firmware. You will find the exact CLEVO/PCS Bios and EC versions after entering the BIOS On the main page (F2). If you could take a picture and send me, just to understand more the problem, I would be really grateful.

Once again, thank you for your attention!

Kind Regards,

Victor

 

[vicalv]

This is my BIOS version taken from System Information in Windows:

View attachment 17344

I don't think it will be a BIOS issue as a windows update wouldn't connect with the BIOS in this way. But you can apply the BIOS updates from Clevo, they're the same ones that PCS supply and as your warranty has expired it doesn't matter if you get it direct from PCS or clevo. But I wouldn't use any from any forums as you can't verify their source, I would go direct to www.clevo.com.tw

This error is normally driver related and the fact it works fine in ubuntu suggests this also.

Just out of interest have you repasted the laptop since you've had it? What are the temps like?

I repasted last friday, in order to try to fix the issue. The temps are fine for a GTX 880m (please see attached image, I am on Ubuntu and the preview image feature is not working, sorry)
And for the CPU, they are on 45-50 C on idle, going up to 70-80 on full (see attached image also)

Regarding CLEVO, they do not seem to supply a section to download the bios files anymore, unfortunately.

 

[SpyderTracks]

What I tried to say is that there it might be a new incompatibility between the firmware installed on the BIOS, and the new Windows 10 builds. However, I am not sure.

That's what I mean though, windows doesn't connect to the BIOS in this way, nvidia optimus is at a driver level, not a BIOS level, and the method that's used on your model laptop is now deprecated anyway so it's legacy code, ie hasn't changed for many years and never will change again as it's not used anymore.

If that was the issue, everyone with older hardware using Optimus technology would have the same issue, ie me. But I guarantee that's not the issue.

My BIOS from the BIOS screen is 2.15.1236