Gpu dead or not? Display still works with Microsoft Basic display driver

Apr 9, 2018
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I have an Alienware 17 with 880m gpu with 3d 120hz display . Recently I had overheating issues and thus had to repasted the gpu. After repasting, windows is not able to run the gpu. Whenever I try booting into windows, it gets stuck and the display turns black. The only way to boot into windows is by disabling nvidia gpu in safe mode. I tried reinstalling drivers, bios and most other possibilities, but no sign of hope till now. Now my question is since my laptop has a 3d 120hz display, there isn't an Intel integrated graphics; Only a discrete nVidia gpu. How is the display able to work after disabling the nVidia gpu? A local serviceman said the gpu is dead but if so the display would have not been working. Graphics property shows that currently The Microsoft Basic display driver is running. Both device manager and BIOS detect the gpu as 880m. Also, when I try reinstalling the graphics driver afresh, the installer detects the gpu as compatible and installs but gets struck halfway through the installation after which the display goes blank.
 
Solution
My guess: the GPU probably has some dedicated lanes that let the internal CPU graphics run through the GPU (and bypass it's functions) to the screen in case of emergency. Some desktop graphics cards have, in the past, done this with various functions like audio; video wouldn't be much harder.

That, or BIOS and Safe mode access the GPU in a way that's different to normal Windows and the official drivers. In a damaged GPU, some lanes might work while others don't.
Apr 9, 2018
4
0
10
Actually there isn't an integrated gpu since an Intel gpu cannot power a 120hz screen. I have also cross checked about the integrated gpu's absence elsewhere and also in my BIOS
 

toshibitsu

Distinguished
Well the integrated graphics is built into the CPU. Seems there's an issue with that laptop getting it to work properly due to the hardware configuration. I'm guessing you don't care about the Intel graphics anyway as this is a gaming laptop and you want the 880 working. Do you have the ability to open up the laptop and attempt some work on it yourself?

If it were me personally, I'd get to the 880 and try replacing the thermal paste(in case the old stuff is worn out) + clean out any dirt/dust that may have accumulated anywhere. If it's still not working properly after that... I'd proceed to the 'oven trick'(I have done that several times before for old iMac's): https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Temporarily+repair+a+lost-cause+graphics+card+by+heating+it+up+in+an+oven/2240

Worst case scenario, the 880 is replaceable. Although I see it's currently averages $450 - $600.
 

electro_neanderthal

Respectable
Jan 22, 2018
450
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1,965
My guess: the GPU probably has some dedicated lanes that let the internal CPU graphics run through the GPU (and bypass it's functions) to the screen in case of emergency. Some desktop graphics cards have, in the past, done this with various functions like audio; video wouldn't be much harder.

That, or BIOS and Safe mode access the GPU in a way that's different to normal Windows and the official drivers. In a damaged GPU, some lanes might work while others don't.
 
Solution