My PC originally started in an extremely low resolution, and Device Manager showed an Nvidia display driver problem with error code 43. After uninstalling and reinstalling the graphics drivers, Windows began showing a recovery message saying it could not repair the device. I tried resetting Windows through the cloud recovery option, but the process became stuck. Now the computer displays the motherboard splash screen, runs for a few seconds, crashes, and repeats that cycle indefinitely. I can still enter the BIOS, but I cannot get into Windows or reach a recovery screen. I would like to create a bootable Windows USB installer and perform a clean installation, but I am not sure how to make the PC boot from it. If Windows installs successfully but the Nvidia card still shows error 43 and the display remains at a basic resolution, what should I check next?
2 Answers
After the clean install, install the motherboard chipset drivers first, then install the correct Nvidia driver downloaded directly from Nvidia. Choose the clean-install option if available. If the driver still produces error 43, shut the PC down and reseat the graphics card and its power connectors, check that the monitor cable is connected to the graphics card rather than the motherboard, and verify that the card appears correctly in BIOS. You can also test another PCIe slot, cable, or power connector if available.
Use another working Windows computer to create a bootable Windows installation USB with Microsoft's Media Creation Tool. Insert it into the problem PC, enter the BIOS, and select the USB drive as the first boot device, or use the one-time boot menu if your motherboard provides one. Start the installer, delete the existing Windows partitions on the system drive, and perform a clean installation. Back up anything important first because this erases the drive.
That worked and I was able to install Windows. The display is still limited to about 1024x768, though, and the Nvidia card continues to show error 43 in Device Manager.
Error 43 after a clean Windows installation usually points to a hardware, power, connection, or driver compatibility problem rather than the Windows installation itself. If reseating the card and reinstalling the drivers does not help, test the card in another computer or have the retailer diagnose it under warranty.