ATI 5850m Problem

I have a 2010 m15x with i7 and 5850m. I can't get windows to boot when AC power is plugged in. The problem began with random failed boots, then I had blue screens that said MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION with no other information. Now it just won't boot with AC power.

I reinstalled Windows thinking it would be a quick fix, but it didn't work. After installing windows the problem escalated to the point of no windows booting. I searched more about MACHINE_CHECK_EXCEPTION and read it's almost definitely a hardware problem. So I first ran memtest86+ and passed.

Then a stroke of luck came. I remembered this laptop runs on reduced power when on battery and somehow it booted all the way to windows. I first ran crystaldiskinfo and passed. Then tested with alienautopsy and passed everything except the video tests.

Code:

Primary Surface Test
Test Started		4/26/2014 23:20:13
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 0 0 : Input color 00FFFFFF not equal to output color 00000000.	4/26/2014 23:20:18
Test Finished:	Failed (Error code: WVC07-LJ6)	4/26/2014 23:20:19

Video Memory Test
Test Started		4/26/2014 23:20:19
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 0 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 1 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 2 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 3 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 4 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Warning Message:	Error at pixel 5 0 : Input color 00000000 not equal to output color FFFFFFFF.	4/26/2014 23:20:20
Test Finished:	Failed (Error code: WVC14-AVI)	4/26/2014 23:20:22

Is there another way to verify that it is in fact the graphics card? I'm also wondering if the AC adapter is causing the problem

This laptop is nearly factory condition. I've only replaced the hard drive and opened it to remove dust. Never overclocked. Well ventilated, etc. I rarely even play games on it these days. It's just does daily PC tasks for me.

 

Try and see if it boots into safe mode, then try to see if you can use an external monitor while booting, both times with the adapter plugged in. Try another adapter, not necessarily an original one, just one that fits. I have no idea what the problem might be, but maybe you'll get more information this way.

 

It boots just fine on battery power. Although it's getting worse. Now it won't shut down normally; I have to hold the power button down until it shuts off completely. I haven't tried to run any graphic intense programs for fear of making the problem worse. Though I suppose that would further verify that the GPU is bad.

 

Do you have any friend that has an MXM card that you can grab for testing?

 

I don't know anyone who as this. My plan is to take it to a local PC shop and see what they can do. Might just sell it as is depending on the results. Thanks for trying to help me :thumbsup:

 

I was having similar issues with my old AMD 5850 card. not as frequent as yours, but occasionally I just could not boot into Windows (normal mode - safe mode worked). It would work fine on battery and would also work if I entered 'stealth mode'. It seemed that the extra 'power' that the card required just caused my system to completely hang (not even blue screen). I would have to reboot it and try again (and again and again!). Then all of a sudden for 1-2 months it would act fine and work normal, then once again rear its ugly head.

I tried rebuilding (as surely it works in safe mode it must be a driver / software issue I thought), and then finally (as more part of wanting to upgrade) replaced the graphics card and haven't had the issue since.

AMD 5850m's seem to be a little 'rare' on ebay, though a 5870m should work (as it is the same card). There are numerous other cards that work fine in the 'old M15x!