One of the 680M SLi might be dead after an update?

My issue: one of the two 680M GPUs started displaying an "Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)".
My hardware: Clevo P37EM / Sager NP9370
My OS: Windows 10 Enterprise 2016 LTSB x64

I keep the OS always up-to-date (Windows LTSB only ships security and fix updates). I also have very few softwares installed. Basically, my computer was working normally, but today I was playing Overwatch (which I always play) and after some hours, I suddenly heard a Windows beep, the game froze and the computer restarted. When I was back at the desktop, I noticed the resolution was not right and then I opened the Device Manager to see that one of the 680M was giving a Error Code 43. Both GPUs appear on my BIOS setup, the BIOS correctly identifies them as 680M.

I found it strange, so I check my GPU VBIOS and noticed something odd, one of them was at 80.04.33.00.10 and the other was at 80.04.67.00.01 (I get these drivers here). I know for a fact that since some older NVIDIA Driver, the VBIOS must be 80.04.33.00.10 or else I got some errors on this SAGER model, so I flash 33 on both a while back. I then proceeded to flash the correct version again. When I run DDU I notice it only detects the VBIOS version for one of the GPUs, the other one doesn't show the VBIOS version. My results are:

NV Driver 398.36

ROM 33
PCI BUS 2 working
PCI BUS 1 error code 43

ROM 67
PCI BUS 2 working
PCI BUS 1 error code 43


NV Driver 391.35

ROM 33
PCI BUS 2 working
PCI BUS 1 error code 43

ROM 67
PCI BUS 2 working
PCI BUS 1 error code 43


Can a Nvidia update or Windows update brick a GPU? How can I know if it's a software or hardware issue? I'm afraid that one GPU died as I don't have the money to replace it now and it would be difficult to find a spare new 680M (which is now old hardware) where I live. I'm panicking a little...

 

It's possible the GPU isn't working anymore, have you tried the system with only the malfunctioning 680m? If dead, just sell them both and move onto a single 780m

 

The screws to remove the GPU are worn out, can't remove it. I'll just upgrade to a Desktop, had this notebook for 6 years, it's time to move on...

 

i have a spare 680M if interested

 

What the config? I'll consider buying the whole thing if you can give me a good enough deal

 

Thanks for your generous offer, but I have to pass. I live in South America, so the shipping cost for me would not make sense, it's better to hold that money to buy a desktop as I'll be moving to Europe next year.

 

It's a SAGER-NP9370. It's a 6 year old machine. The config is in my sig, but if I were to sell it I'd remove the SanDisk SSD and Momentus XT SSHD. Also, I'm based on South America, so take that into consideration for shipping costs. Basically the machine is:

i7-3840QM | 16GB 1600Mhz | GTX 680M SLi (1 working; 1 possibly dead) | BD-RW | Matte 17.3'' Full HD | Killer Wireless-N 1202

 

Shipping wouldn't be too bad, but I don't know if I want it anymore, but thx

 

So, I was able to remove the second GPU (MXM slot 2 according to the mobo). This may be the one that is working, because device manager says that PCI BUS 2 is the one working. So I switched the GPUs and put the GPU from MXM slot 2 on MXM slot 1 and left slot 2 empty. I tried to boot but I don't even get BIOS/POST. The machine starts but screen is black and keep restarting, also I get no beeps. What can this possibly be?

I tried CMOS reset (remove battery) and to boot with MXM slot 1 with GPU + slot 2 empty, then without all RAM, all HDDs, all GPUs, in the end I got the same issue: no screen, no bios, no beep, no fan, nothing, just keep restarting.

RESOLVED: I repeated the process of removing everything and putting them back in, now the computer is booting and going to Windows. I'll start the process of DDU+clean NV driver install to see which of the 2 GPU is working.

 

Here are the (bad) results:

MXM slot 1 on mobo: GPU that was originally on slot 1 since forever
MXM slot 2 on mobo: nothing
Result: Can get into Windows. Did a DDU + clean install of NV 398.36 and restarted. After restart it reported error code 43 on device manager

MXM slot 1 on mobo: GPU that was originally on slot 2 since forever
MXM slot 2 on mobo: nothing
Result: Can NOT get into BIOS, black screen. Computer is turned on and fans are running, but I get no video output.

I know one of them is working because that's what I had before on Device Manager (one working and one reporting error code 43), but by the looks of it, both are bad, how come? What can I do? This is very frustrating

 

Need to try an older driver before you give up unless you already did. I've heard of this new driver causing problems like you're seeing.

 

My 765m was spazzing out, then I used DDU, installed newest drivers, after a restart, it was fine

 

I tried the following:

VBIOS clevo .33 with NV 391.35 = error code 43
VBIOS nvidia .67 with NV 391.35 = black screen and restart after driver install

 

Yeah sounds dead man, sorry to hear that.

 

I know that one is dead, but the other is working. The one I tested seems to be the dead one (it's the GPU that was on slot 1 when device manager said slot 1 gpu was error code 43), even though I could get video output. The other one that reported as working on device manager is the one when I try to boot I get no video output. If I could fix that, maybe I can get it working, maybe it's a VBIOS incompatibly thing?

I know for a fact that if I try to boot in UEFI any GPU with VBIOS .29 it won't boot and will not give video output. I remember that this working GPU was at least on .33, so I don't know why it doesn't give video output.

I put both GPUs back in, GPU1 on original MXM 1, GPU2 on MXM 2. Same behavior, GPU 1 marked as dead on device manager, GPU 2 marked as working normally, no errors. The problem is when I load GPU 2 on MXM 1 (the primary slot) I can't even POST/BIOS...

 

Installed Windows 7 x64 and tried with sager nvidia driver, but after restart it presents me with a BSOD: