E6400 device/driver faults

On several ocassions, my E6400 boots/restarts to VGA mode with code 43 in device manager saying the nVidia is not working. I think code 43 is a driver fault, but the driver would fault if the system failed to boot the device. It usually has recovered on restart, but once it did not after several restarts (including shutdowns), so I re-installed the video driver. This random issue has returned since. Although I am suspicious of nVidia, the hardware and driver have been solid for me (provided the system boots them up properly).

New issue. Today, upon resuming from sleep, 'IDT PC Audio stopped working'. Recovered on restart. Another system-level control sort of fault.

I'm wondering if the Dell system software could be suspect in this? Others have reported sleep issues, i.e. system-level control problems. My BIOS is A09.

Got any insight? Perhaps BIOS A11 has some helpful tweaks in it.

GK

 

Called Dell and got great advice from a knowledgeable tech.

We reviewed my clean install and it's ok. Intel Matrix Storage Manager App may be required for eSATA and RAID, but is not required. Dell CP security and connection bits are not required; ok leaving Broadcom USH banged in DM. Intel AMT bits are not required. I'll install the Intel MSM App later if I need it before Win7 comes along.

As for the problem issues, they are either motherboard, firmware, or drivers. Course of action is to apply BIOS A11 and then watch for updates on dell.com. If a complete hardware fault comes along, then diagnose and swap the motherboard. They'll even let you do it if you are willing to assume all risks... which could hurt if the new MB is DOA.

The tech acknowledged that the platform is new and that they are still tweaking things. That is oddly comforting!

BTW, he thought RAIDing 2 SSDs (1 in the optical bay) could be pretty slick.

GK