Help needed for GTX 1050 Ti (notebook) (Error 43) (VBIOS = unknown)

[Enoxroid]

Hello,

My Laptop is Lenovo y520-15IKBN Type 80WK

About 3 weeks ago I've encountered BSOD based on my graphics card (nvlddmkm.sys)
Being complete stranger to hardware and software stuff, I made a system recovery.
System recovery didn't solve my issue. So I've installed new win10, everything was up to date.
When i install latest versions of my Nvidia drivers, I get nvlddmkm.sys blue screen. But when i install older versions, windows stops my graphics card (Windows has stopped this device because it has reported problems. (Code 43)).

My father installed linux (Ubuntu) to figure out if it's the win10 causing the problem. A similar problem occurs in linux, we saw a warning like "graphics driver installed but not loaded"
After looking up on HWiNFO, we spotted some details were "unknown" on graphics card specifications. We installed GPU-Z and saw many things were "unknown" including VBIOS.
I've searched similar problems on internet and saw in this forum, people flashing vbios and solving it.

But I don't use a desktop, so I couldn't find my card's vbios and i don't know how to flash.
My warranty ended 3 years ago. Lenovo has contracted companies in my country, but they couldn't even fix my charge adapter in the past, so I bought a new one.

Any help would have been appreciated.
If you need more info please notify me while giving instructions on how to get it. Sorry i'm complete stranger to this stuff

 

[kurosagi01]

If no driver install works or fresh OS install then I would have to say the GPU is probably dead, I had this error and no matter what I did it wouldn't work.

 

[SchumannFrequency]

The fact that Ubuntu is struggling is not a good sign. I think Ubuntu has the Nvidia proprietary drivers in the iso by default.

What I would try to be sure is to install Clear Linux. Clear Linux does not have proprietary Nvidia drivers unless you compile and install it yourself. What I suspect will happen is that Clear Linux will use the nouveau drivers. Or the Mesa drivers and the graphics of the CPU, that is also possible.

So you can normally use the notebook with Linux just fine as long as you disable the Nvidia drivers and use the graphics of the Intel Core i5-7300HQ. So you should just use a Linux distro that isn't going to try to use Nouveau or the Nvidia proprietary by default.

You can also use Arch Linux or FreeBSD or OpenBSD, because then you can easily configure it to use the Intel Core i5-7300HQ for the graphics. If you configure it correctly, you should still be able to use the laptop under Linux, just with much weaker graphics, but still acceptable graphics for anything non-gaming.

 

[Enoxroid]

The fact that Ubuntu is struggling is not a good sign. I think Ubuntu has the Nvidia proprietary drivers in the iso by default.

What I would try to be sure is to install Clear Linux. Clear Linux does not have proprietary Nvidia drivers unless you compile and install it yourself. What I suspect will happen is that Clear Linux will use the nouveau drivers. Or the Mesa drivers and the graphics of the CPU, that is also possible.

So you can normally use the notebook with Linux just fine as long as you disable the Nvidia drivers and use the graphics of the Intel Core i5-7300HQ. So you should just use a Linux distro that isn't going to try to use Nouveau or the Nvidia proprietary by default.

You can also use Arch Linux or FreeBSD or OpenBSD, because then you can easily configure it to use the Intel Core i5-7300HQ for the graphics. If you configure it correctly, you should still be able to use the laptop under Linux, just with much weaker graphics, but still acceptable graphics for anything non-gaming.

I'm using windows with disabled graphics card just fine like you said. Windows is using Intel HD 630 integrated. For daily stuff that's not a problem with me. If I can't find a solution I will probably continue to use my notebook like this. The reason I need a fix is I've recently graduated university and I might need to use programs like 3DSMAX, Blender, Allplan, AutoCAD for 3D structural designs and render in the future.

 

[SchumannFrequency]

I'm using windows with disabled graphics card just fine like you said. Windows is using Intel HD 630 integrated. For daily stuff that's not a problem with me. If I can't find a solution I will probably continue to use my notebook like this. The reason I need a fix is I've recently graduated university and I might need to use programs like 3DSMAX, Blender, Allplan, AutoCAD for 3D structural designs and render in the future.

The included 1050 Ti is soldered to the motherboard. Seems hard to replace.

It is also not so easy to connect an eGPU to your laptop: https://www.reddit.com/r/eGPU/comments/g2bl2r
The weak graphics performance will need any extra fps, so I'd still install Clear Linux instead of windows.
Clear Linux has faster and more stable drivers for the Intel graphics in this Intel CPU.

3DSMAX, Blender, Allplan, AutoCAD will no longer be able to run properly, so you need a new system for those apps.
Maybe buy a desktop this time where you never have similar situations.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

Well, it could be a broken VBIOS. The problem with laptops is that the VBIOS and motherboard BIOS are sometimes stored on the same chip, making flashing them difficult.

I would start with a standard BIOS update:

laptops and netbooks :: legion series :: legion y520 15ikbn :: 80wk - Lenovo Support US

pcsupport.lenovo.com

If this doesn't change anything, we will assume they are separate. I may be able to find a VBIOS for you, but I can't be positive.

 

[P4-630]

I might need to use programs like 3DSMAX, Blender, Allplan, AutoCAD for 3D structural designs and render in the future.

Hope you already started saving for a more powerful laptop...Because that's what you need...

 

[SchumannFrequency]

Hope you already started saving for a more powerful laptop...Because that's what you need...

Laptops are actually usually not the best choice, both financially and for your health.

Suppose he had this problem with a desktop, he could just buy a new decent GPU that you can find for $ 150 second hand.

It is also becoming increasingly clear that laptops are not good for your health:

Why a laptop should not be placed on your lap - Health and Beauty

Laptops enable both students and employees to work wherever they want But experts have warned against using them on your lap They have found that the

www.europeanmedical.info

Laptop Radiation: All you need to know about the potential danger and associated risks - Times of India

Can you imagine your life without your laptop?

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Laptops are kept in direct contact with our lap. Its undersides emit 40- 100 milliGauss EMF, which is 40X to 100X higher than the standard limit of EMF exposure. The EMF exposure on a limited part of the body makes it more hazardous. Take into consideration that the EMF under a high tension power line, which is statistically proven to increase the number of Leukemia cases, is in the range of 10-70 milliGauss.

 

[Enoxroid]

Well, it could be a broken VBIOS. The problem with laptops is that the VBIOS and motherboard BIOS are sometimes stored on the same chip, making flashing them difficult.

I would start with a standard BIOS update:

laptops and netbooks :: legion series :: legion y520 15ikbn :: 80wk - Lenovo Support US

pcsupport.lenovo.com

If this doesn't change anything, we will assume they are separate. I may be able to find a VBIOS for you, but I can't be positive.

My bios was up to date. I've reverted it back to 4KCN40WW, then updated it to 4KCN43WW, then 4KCN44WW, finally made it back to 4KCN45WW which is the latest verison. None of these bios version have changed anything.

Laptops are actually usually not the best choice, both financially and for your health.

Suppose he had this problem with a desktop, he could just buy a new decent GPU that you can find for $ 150 second hand.

It is also becoming increasingly clear that laptops are not good for your health:

Why a laptop should not be placed on your lap - Health and Beauty

Laptops enable both students and employees to work wherever they want But experts have warned against using them on your lap They have found that the

www.europeanmedical.info

Laptop Radiation: All you need to know about the potential danger and associated risks - Times of India

Can you imagine your life without your laptop?

timesofindia.indiatimes.com

Laptops are kept in direct contact with our lap. Its undersides emit 40- 100 milliGauss EMF, which is 40X to 100X higher than the standard limit of EMF exposure. The EMF exposure on a limited part of the body makes it more hazardous. Take into consideration that the EMF under a high tension power line, which is statistically proven to increase the number of Leukemia cases, is in the range of 10-70 milliGauss

Interesting article. Never knew about it. I've always been a desktop guy because my father built a desktop back in the day and he upgrades it when it needed.
I bought this for my university projects and stuff and I moved to another city so I couldn't take the desktop from my dad
I would like to take my chances on vbios flash. If it doesn't change anything, I will start saving for a desktop

 

[P4-630]

Well, it could be a broken VBIOS. The problem with laptops is that the VBIOS and motherboard BIOS are sometimes stored on the same chip, making flashing them difficult.

I would start with a standard BIOS update:

laptops and netbooks :: legion series :: legion y520 15ikbn :: 80wk - Lenovo Support US

pcsupport.lenovo.com

If this doesn't change anything, we will assume they are separate. I may be able to find a VBIOS for you, but I can't be positive.

I don't think your general lenovo laptop has a separate GPU....

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I don't think your general lenovo laptop has a separate GPU....

It is a Legion series, which is Lenovo's gaming brand (think HP Omen or Dell Alienware). As such, a dGPU is pretty standard.

Also, it somewhat evidently has one based on the screenshots....

Anyways, what I meant is that the motherboard BIOS and the VBIOS might not be able to be flashed separately, I know some Dell models cannot.

I will also point out that while that laptop is perfectly capable of running the programs you mentioned, if you value your time at all, a newer and more powerful laptop (or desktop, but I understand that portability can be important) will be well worth the investment.

My bios was up to date. I've reverted it back to 4KCN40WW, then updated it to 4KCN43WW, then 4KCN44WW, finally made it back to 4KCN45WW which is the latest verison. None of these bios version have changed anything.


Interesting article. Never knew about it. I've always been a desktop guy because my father built a desktop back in the day and he upgrades it when it needed.
I bought this for my university projects and stuff and I moved to another city so I couldn't take the desktop from my dad
I would like to take my chances on vbios flash. If it doesn't change anything, I will start saving for a desktop

Darn, I hoped that might update the VBIOS as well. I will look for one but mobile GPUs are rare in the database.

None of these are specifically for Lenovo, so be sure to back up your BIOS before flashing. Sorry it took so long, they were well camouflaged.

The files are here:

NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

 

[phalanxs]

Hello everybody, I'm so glad I found this thread.

I also have a Lenovo Y520-15IKBN and also have an inop GTX 1050. Device manager shows the same error message with Code 43. This issue first popped up a few months ago and I didn't have the time to dive into it at the time, so I can't remember If I got a BSOD when it started.

Here's the things I tried in order:

• Deactivating the GPU and restart: didn't work
• Deactivating the GPU with uninstall driver checked and restart: didn't work
• Updating the GPU driver from a 2018 version to a late 2022 one : Actually made the problem worse, laptop got stuck in a bootloop. I reverted the change
• Updating the BIOS to 4kcn45ww: didn't work
• Turning the GPU off and on again in the device manager: This looked like it worked on the device manager, but the apps that I tested woudn't use GPU power. Eventually the Code 43 would come back
• Updating the GPU driver to 528.49, after the BIOS update: same as previous one

So yeah, I think I will try Count von Schwalbe files but I hope we will find a solution to Enoxroids problem.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

have an inop GTX 1050

Please be very sure (provide GPU-Z screenshots of unsure) that what you have is a 1050 TI land not a 1050. The VBIOS for these is not compatible and may prevent you from flashing a new VBIOS, requiring you to disassemble your laptop and using a hardware programmer.

 

[Enoxroid]

It is a Legion series, which is Lenovo's gaming brand (think HP Omen or Dell Alienware). As such, a dGPU is pretty standard.

Also, it somewhat evidently has one based on the screenshots....

Anyways, what I meant is that the motherboard BIOS and the VBIOS might not be able to be flashed separately, I know some Dell models cannot.

I will also point out that while that laptop is perfectly capable of running the programs you mentioned, if you value your time at all, a newer and more powerful laptop (or desktop, but I understand that portability can be important) will be well worth the investment.


Darn, I hoped that might update the VBIOS as well. I will look for one but mobile GPUs are rare in the database.

None of these are specifically for Lenovo, so be sure to back up your BIOS before flashing. Sorry it took so long, they were well camouflaged.

The files are here:

NVIDIA GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

MSI GTX 1050 Ti VBIOS

4 GB GDDR5, 1493 MHz GPU, 1752 MHz Memory

www.techpowerup.com

It didn' took so long, the opposite I'm surprised you found them so fast. By the way I took the picture of my motherboard's BIOS chip. It's away from the nvidia GPU. I think they are stored in seperate chips. I will continue researching wether they are seperate or stored in the same chip. Then I will back up my BIOS just like you said and try these one by one.

Update:

I found Universal BIOS backup toolkit 2.0 and when I try to run it, I get an error "Can not identify the BIOS!"
Does it mean that my BIOS is corrupted?

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

I found Universal BIOS backup toolkit 2.0 and when I try to run it, I get an error "Can not identify the BIOS!"
Does it mean that my BIOS is corrupted?

Can you save your VBIOS through GPU-Z?

 

[Enoxroid]

Can you save your VBIOS through GPU-Z?

When I try to save it, this error occurs.

 

[Count von Schwalbe]

When I try to save it, this error occurs.

I haven't personally had to flash any laptop VBIOS myself, so I am not positive as to how to proceed. I believe @Imperator has though, so maybe he could chime in.

Otherwise I will try it on my ThinkPad and see what I can do.

 

[Imperator]

Hello.
As far as i know you can't alter the IGPU. I mean the one that is in the same die as the CPU.
Before doing something wrong please use the atikmdag patch.
On the other side please tell us how you ended with that error.

 

[qubit]

As others have said, the graphics card is broken and a BIOS flash won't fix broken hardware. Trying to do so is more likely to brick the laptop. Just buy a new laptop if you can.

@eidairaman1

 

[EDWIN12213]

i have same problema @

Enoxroid, did you fix it???? please help​

 

[Enoxroid]

i have same problema @

Enoxroid, did you fix it???? please help​

Nope, I have to back up my BIOS and transfer my personal files in HDD before I try anything. I'm waiting for my friend's portable harddisk.
Also I'm having a trouble backing up my BIOS. Third party programs having an issue detecting my BIOS.

 

[Maydup Nem]

Hello all! Super grateful for this thread.

I also have the same laptop but my GPU is 1050 and I am also having the same problem.
Everything that was mentioned here happened to me too, I also tried all possible solutions (except for flashing a VBIOS rom because the "-6" command didn't work, I'm sure there's another command or a workaround to it but as I kept reading it will most likely brick the laptop so I decided to wait a little bit more before resorting to flashing and just keep using my IGPU for the time being) (btw I encountered the same error when trying to identify and save my current GPU Bios using GPU-Z, i.e it was unidentifiable).

However, I'd like to chime in with something that's happened to me that wasn't mentioned here, after having tried multiple solutions to fix the issue but to no avail I finally gave up and turned off my laptop, but the next day after turning it back on it was working fine and I could access the Nvidia Control Panel again (I couldn't before) and I actually ran games on it and it worked fine!, until it didn't, the same TLD Failure BSOD appeared again and the GPU died once more.

I thought to myself I'd just get a replacement GPU but as it seems the card is soldered into the motherboard and a new one would cost around 700 to 800 USD, so might as well give up on it and just save up for a new laptop.

A final note regarding the cause of this issue: my laptop did a 360 in the air before falling to the ground, I'm guessing this was the cause (blame my brother I am innocent).

 

[Imperator]

So based on the description you provided, we can suspect a "cold" contact on your motherboard, caused by the fall.

 

[Maydup Nem]

So based on the description you provided, we can suspect a "cold" contact on your motherboard, caused by the fall.

LOL yes.

 

[Johnnyfresh]

Hi everybody!

I know this is an old thread, but I found a solution for me! I stumbled upon this thread searching for the same solution. I have a Dell G3 with a GTX 1050 TI and the NVIDIA GPU was getting disabled in the device manager. Latest drivers installed, but Geforce Experience or NVIDIA control panel wouldn't start. I had the same results in the GPU-Z as posted by Enoxroid on top, 0 Mhz on the GPU and error 43 in device manager. But now i found a solution and the GPU is running again.

Short story:
- You need to have a working battery in your laptop. Maybe also change the Cr2032 button cell?
- Plug your laptop in
- Go to Power options and set them to "High Performance"
- Reboot
- Check Device manager if the yellow triangle of death/code 43 has disappeared
- Reinstall drivers if necessary
- Enjoy your old laptop a bit longer for the old games you play

Long story:
The Laptop has been running pretty much stationary the last 4 years. Always plugged in. Power options set to high performance plugged in, minimal on the battery. Lately, I got warning notifications that the battery needed to be replaced. At first the notifications just appeared once (battery is bad), but then they also came during gaming, the game would fall into background and the message would be very prominent. Not cool during gaming, so I googled and found a workaround by disabling the "Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery". The battery gauge disappeared and gaming was fine. During a heavy storm lately we had a (very rare) power outage. Pretty much afterwards the problem with the missing GPU started. I tried the following:
1. Installed all kinds of older drivers from Nvidia Website for that GPU (Standard and DCH)
2. Took out the Laptop battery and pressed Power for 2 minutes to remove some mystical voltage buildup
3. Changed the CR2032 battery repeating the Power button mystics in between
4. Gave pretty much up. Planned to get a stationary PC. Discussed it with the wife (I'll heal)

Then I found a forum somewhere mentioning that cheaper gaming laptops depend on battery and power cable to power GPU during peaks. I didn't think this as a solution, but reassembled the battery in the laptop. Re-activated "Microsoft ACPI-Compliant Control Method Battery" Still didn't work, even though the battery showed up as 100% charged. So I checked the power options, and they were on some previously not seen minimal state. I changed them to "High Performance"during conneced to power, and there came an angelic light from the device manager and the yellow triangle disappeared from the Nvidia GPU. I reinstalled the Nvidia drivers, the Nvidia control panel reappeared, GeForce Experience worked as before and we'll game happily forever after.

I post this on this old thread as I had given up all hope already but still got it working again. Maybe it'll help some others!