no visible signs of hardware failure? ROG Flow X13 + XG Mobile - Crash on Connect

[Astasen]

I'm facing a critical issue with my ROG Flow X13 and XG Mobile setup and I've reached the end of all possible software troubleshooting. I'm hoping to get a final diagnosis or see if anyone else has experienced this specific hardware failure. I have documented the entire process, including the final failure, in the video attached below: System Configuration:

• Laptop: 2023 ASUS ROG Flow X13 (GV301RC)

• CPU: AMD Ryzen 9 6900HS

• Internal GPU: NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3050

• External GPU: ROG XG Mobile (RTX 3080 model) The Problem: The system crashes immediately upon connecting the XG Mobile. This happens even on a completely clean, factory-reset installation of Windows. The internal RTX 3050 then disappears from Device Manager, and the system becomes unstable. Exhaustive Troubleshooting Performed: I have spent days trying to resolve this and have performed the following steps in order, multiple times:

• Full Windows Reset: I have performed a complete "Reset this PC" using the "Remove everything" and "Cloud download" options. The issue persists on a 100% clean version of Windows.

• EC (Embedded Controller) Reset: I have performed multiple 60-second EC hard resets. This is the only procedure that temporarily makes the internal RTX 3050 reappear, but it vanishes again as soon as the XG Mobile is connected.

• "Clean Slate Protocol" with DDU: I have booted into Safe Mode, disconnected from the internet, and used DDU to completely wipe every trace of both NVIDIA and AMD graphics drivers. I then reinstalled the official drivers from the ASUS website onto a clean system. The problem remains.

• BIOS & Firmware: The laptop's BIOS is on the latest version available from ASUS. Critical Symptoms Observed:

• Consistent Crashing: The crash is not random. It happens reproducibly at the exact moment the XG Mobile is connected and the software handshake begins.

• BSOD Errors: I have received critical BSOD errors including IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and KERNEL_MODE_HEAP_CORRUPTION.

• Hardware-Level Faults: I have observed the laptop reporting it is "charging" when nothing is connected, indicating the Embedded Controller is in a faulty state.

• Disappearing Hardware: The internal RTX 3050 is physically present and working, but after a crash, the system fails to initialize it. My Conclusion & Question: Given that the issue persists after a complete OS reinstall and a full driver cleaning, Has anyone else encountered this specific failure? And do you agree with the diagnosis that this requires a hardware repair (RMA)? Thank you for your time and expertise. Please help me out..Link to video 

[Anbby_ROG]

Thank you for thoroughly sharing the issue you’re experiencing and the detailed troubleshooting steps you've taken. Based on the information provided, since the abnormal behavior persists even after a clean system installation, we recommend submitting the device for RMA to further inspect the hardware and clarify the root cause. We appreciate your understanding.

[Inheart]

Hi 

Just wondering do you happen to use an external monitor with xg mobile? i also have some crashes with xg mobile connection. i later narrow it down to the handshake between external monitor and xg mobile.  i have to turn off the monitor first and connect the xg mobile. and then turn back on the monitor after xg mobile fully initiated.