Laptop - Finding faulty hardware

Hi.

I have an Dell Precision M6600 (Specs below) and i suffer from the dreaded TDR error.
I.e the computer locks up and has to be hardresetted. Can't even run for a min in windows before lockup. But running on the built in Intel Gfx works, but ehh, kinda useless.

I have run Memtest86, several passes, no errors.
Diagnostics on the hard drives, no error.
The Vram of the Quadro 4000m is also fine.

Problem is, either it is the Gpu/gfxcard or the motherboard that is faulty.
Since i can't run any windows based diagnostics on the gfxcard, it crashes to fast to get anyting from it, how would i go from now to try to find what is malfunctioning?

I do not have any other graphic related errors, which leads me to suspect the motherboard. But how do i diagnose it? Apart from the chipset which i have diagnosed as fine.

 

Welcome :major

There are many reasons for TDRs, the best page for learning about/troubleshooting these is here: http://www.sysnative.com/forums/bso...rmation/35-video-tdr-timeout-0x116-0x117.html

As it's a notebook, especially one with dual-graphics (nVidia + Intel on the CPU), you should only use the graphics drivers from the maker (Dell), using the generic nVidia drivers might cause problems like TDRs./incorrect graphics switching.

I would check for overheating first, notebooks can become clogged with dust/lint which usually require a partial strip down to clean, Dell are usually very informative in their downloadable workshop -type manuals should you need to clean it internally.