G46 Graphics issue

[WWtrain]

I have been having graphics problems with my Asus G46 laptop ever since I bought it in August 2013. If I run any program that uses the graphics card instead of the Intel graphics, it will crash after a few minutes; sometimes with the message “Display driver nvlddmkm stopped responding and has successfully recovered.” I have not tried overclocking anything.
I have had problems with Team Fortress 2, which will display the menu, stop responding, and the close with the error “Failed to lock vertex buffer in CMeshDX8∷LockVertexBuffer: nVertexCount=4, nFirstVertex=0”. If I open Steam in Big Picture mode, it will crash with no error message. Streaming or previewing a stream in Open Broadcaster Software even without any other programs using the graphics card will cause it to lag, then close. It also has given me an error message similar to the TF2 one, but I cannot seem to reproduce it right now. Orbiter 2010 will sometimes work for about an hour, but sometimes will crash right after the loading screen. Minecraft and MCEdit have issues too when run with the graphics card.
The problem seems to be with the graphics card or some other program other than the games. It does not seem to be with any of the games, as the same thing happens in all of them. I do not think it is my virus software, iolo System Mechanic Pro, because I had problems before I installed it when I had Windows Defender. I have tried many fixes recommended on various sites, but none have been fixes. The warranty is still valid, but I wanted to see if anybody has any suggestions.
Specs:
Windows 8.1 x64
CPU: Intel Core i5 3230M @ 2.60 GHz
RAM: 8.00 GB
GPU: NVIDIA GeForce 660M 2GB
I have the latest video driver (331.82), although I have tried many (even beta).
Thank you!

[dclanz]

I've not upgraded to Windows 8.1 (yet, I'm enjoying vanilla Windows 8 too much) but I find your issue strange. Like you said, you've been having this issue since you've purchased the laptop so my initial suggestion would be to return the laptop and have it checked out. However the tech in me suggests that you backup all your data (an external drive is best), go to Settings, Change PC Settings, General, Remove Everything and Reinstall Windows and after that install the latest drivers etc and your games and try again. Be aware that this laptop may have originally been shipped with Windows 8 (shouldn't be a problem if you wish to upgrade for free to Windows 8.1 from the app store in Windows) but as with all things technological in nature, do some research before making the move. At least this way you cover all bases, before returning the laptop where you purchased it.

[WWtrain]

Thanks for the advice, I have tried reinstalling Windows when I had Windows 8, but that did not fix it.

[Dreamonic]

+ what dclanz suggested, I'll add to it.

After you are done backing up all your personal data onto another drive, go to: http://www.asus.com/support/Download/3/470/G46VW/36/and update your BIOS to the latest. At this point if the system doesn't respond after doing the BIOS update, at least you can send it in for repair to fix the faulty GPU as it requires a replacement MB anyway.

The other thing I can suggest is give you a modded G46 660M vBIOS with a raise in voltage, this should fix the driver from crashing despite it doing it at stock clocks. This will allow you to use your machine for a while until you are ready to RMA.


Besides being a hardware problem, this is what I'd recommend you try since you have nothing to lose at this point.

[WWtrain]

Thanks, tried the BIOS update too, nothing fixed. I just tried opening Steam Big Picture mode again, got this strange error: "D3D Device was removed due to DXGI_ERROR_DEVICE_REMOVED, this usually indicates that you removed the device at runtime or performed a driver upgrade while running. Big Picture must exit." I can't remove the device, and I wasn't installing driver updates, so it seems as if the device just disappeared. I do need to use the laptop for work, so don't want to try anything too risky right now.

I experienced a weird thing yesterday, too. I was watching a live stream on Twitch (plugged in, not on battery) and had nothing else running, when all of a sudden, the pc powers off like if I unplugged a desktop. No lights, nothing, as if the power supply failed. It started right back up and was fine, with the only thing logged was an unexpected power failure. Nothing else. Maybe the issue it the power supply, not the GPU? Who knows. Thanks.

[Dreamonic]

I experienced a weird thing yesterday, too. I was watching a live stream on Twitch (plugged in, not on battery) and had nothing else running, when all of a sudden, the pc powers off like if I unplugged a desktop. No lights, nothing, as if the power supply failed. It started right back up and was fine, with the only thing logged was an unexpected power failure. Nothing else. Maybe the issue it the power supply, not the GPU? Who knows. Thanks.

Do you happen to use Sleep/Hibernation mode at all? There's been more cases of unexpected shutdowns after resuming Windows with it used.

[WWtrain]

Dreamonic wrote:
Do you happen to use Sleep/Hibernation mode at all? There's been more cases of unexpected shutdowns after resuming Windows with it used.

It does sleep when I close the cover, so that could be it.

[Dreamonic]

I experienced a weird thing yesterday, too. I was watching a live stream on Twitch (plugged in, not on battery) and had nothing else running, when all of a sudden, the pc powers off like if I unplugged a desktop. No lights, nothing, as if the power supply failed. It started right back up and was fine, with the only thing logged was an unexpected power failure. Nothing else. Maybe the issue it the power supply, not the GPU? Who knows. Thanks.

Do you happen to use Sleep/Hibernation mode at all? There's been more cases of unexpected shutdowns after resuming Windows with it used.

[WWtrain]

Another quick question, does anyone know if the display driver on the Asus site is the same one as the NVIDIA one? They appear to be the same, just wanted to see if Asus might have modified it.

I was also in touch with Asus customer support, who recommended I reinstall the Intel driver, no luck there (not expected).

[WWtrain]

So I'm still working with Asus to get this fixed, but I thought I'd share that I just started to use an HDMI monitor (which is connected to the graphics card), and after maybe 4 hours give or take (it is kind of random) of having the computer connected to the monitor (not gaming or anything), both my screens will go blank, (I can still move my cursor, but can't click on anything, as it is all black), and I have to hold the power button down to shut it off.