Need help with eGPU

[LordCoder]

Hello,

I have bought EXP GDC ExpressCard edition for upgrading my laptop. I have connected a GTX 760 and everything went great. The problem is that when I have enabled Intel HD Graphics, the GPU shows a warning:

 

Error code 43 shows up. But when I disable Intel HD Graphics, it is working but I cannot work with it as Nvidia Drivers aren't detecting it. How can I solve it?

[GoodBytes]

You have to choose, you can't have both. You cannot magically implement Nvidia Optimus feature. These are special drivers worked by Nvidia which includes modifying Intel drivers for the setup to work. Manufactures work with Nvidia and Intel to make this happen.

[LordCoder]

You have to choose, you can't have both. You cannot magically implement Nvidia Optimus feature. These are special drivers worked by Nvidia which includes modifying Intel drivers for the setup to work. Manufactures work with Nvidia and Intel to make this happen.

 

I know, but what I mean is that if I disable Intel HD Graphics, the screen is disabled and Windows just only detects the intenal screen; but when I have Intel HD Graphics it shows on "Resolution" 2 screens, one of HD Graphics and the other for the built-in nvidia. This is very confusing for me.

[GoodBytes]

Ah. If you disable Intel integrated graphics, then that means it has no power. So Windows only sees 1 thing. Your dedicated graphics card with the attached monitor. The graphics card has NO IDEA about your laptop screen. There is no way for it to communicate with it to detect it, and therefor Windows doesn't know anything about. It is the same as if the laptop screen is disconnected.

When you enable the Intel integrated graphics, now Windows sees now 2 graphics card (well GPU, I should say, as the Intel one is not a card). Your GeForce and, well, the Intel integrated graphics. Windows can work with multiple graphics cards. It just goes "You draw this, and you draw that", and both graphics card will do there job and never ask a question.

Now, the big problem, is when you have 2 graphics card, and you start a game. Which graphics card will take the job, and which screen it will display. That is a big problem, and it will depends on the game, drivers, motherboard (which one is seen as primary) and Windows. That I cannot answer you. You have to experiment. My guess is a total failure, or Intel integrated graphics will handle the game.

New Alienware laptops have their own external GPU solution. But when you use the external graphics solution, the laptop screen is turned off (I beleive),. You need to use an external display. So that might help you answer your problem that you face.

[LordCoder]

Ah. If you disable Intel integrated graphics, then that means it has no power. So Windows only sees 1 thing. Your dedicated graphics card with the attached monitor. The graphics card has NO IDEA about your laptop screen. There is no way for it to communicate with it to detect it, and therefor Windows doesn't know anything about. It is the same as if the laptop screen is disconnected.

When you enable the Intel integrated graphics, now Windows sees now 2 graphics card (well GPU, I should say, as the Intel one is not a card). Your GeForce and, well, the Intel integrated graphics. Windows can work with multiple graphics cards. It just goes "You draw this, and you draw that", and both graphics card will do there job and never ask a question.

Now, the big problem, is when you have 2 graphics card, and you start a game. Which graphics card will take the job, and which screen it will display. That is a big problem, and it will depends on the game, drivers, motherboard (which one is seen as primary) and Windows. That I cannot answer you. You have to experiment. My guess is a total failure, or Intel integrated graphics will handle the game.

New Alienware laptops have their own external GPU solution. But when you use the external graphics solution, the laptop screen is turned off (I beleive),. You need to use an external display. So that might help you answer your problem that you face.

 

Thanks for the information. Well, my problem isn't how to display on laptop's screen, the problem is how to make Windows communicate to that External GPU, because I'm just stucked with it.

Drivers don't detect it (because they point to the nvidia build-in GPU) and if I have Intel enabled Windows shows the error. What can I do?

[GoodBytes]

Ah ok. Sorry.

So if the Intel solution is enable Windows doesn't see your external GPU?

But if it is enabled, then it sees the external GPU, but you get that error. Did I understood you correctly?

Error Core 43 is really Windows going "I can detect, see, the hardware, but when I try to communicate, it fails miserably, I don't know know what is the problem, or even have a clue to what the problem is".

This is not a fun problem to fix. because it can be anything. It could be the graphics card doesn't sufficient power, it could the cable that is broken, or the card, or the connector part of setup, or the graphics card doesn't work with the limited PCI-E lane it is on, or the card firmware has a bug and doesn't like the setup it is in, etc.

I do know that graphics card via thunderbolt, is a no go, as it luck if it works on not based on the enclosure you got and graphics card, and driver version, mostly because it is simply not tested by Nvidia or AMD. What I would do, is try a different graphics card, just to test if it works or not, as a first step. Then I could make sure that the cable is fine. If I can replace that cable you have between the laptop and eGPU, I would. I would make sure the GPU has enough power of course.

I would try older drivers... much older. Just to see if I get anywhere.

It would also try a different version of Windows, like Windows 10 who MIGHT, MAYBE, PERHAPS, POSSIBILITY, have improvement done to it to help get more details on the problem.

If all fails, I would exchange the eGPU module to another one, as maybe it is broken, if it still fails.. well... it doesn't work for the system you have. And if it does work aat any attempts, then great!

Oh something to try: When you run the Nvidia setup it first extract the drivers in C:\Nvidia.

See if you go in Device manager, and update the drivers from there by selecting the drivers of where the setup extracted them. It should find the drivers at least. Try different sub-folders if it can't find it. Basically the idea is to skip the setup program do a graphics card check part, and just force install the drivers.

[LordCoder]

Thanks for the information. I will try all your tips and post the status here, maybe it could help others.

[GoodBytes]

Thanks!

[Magicbucks56]

I'm having the same problem. Same adapter and GPU in fact. Was the issue solved?