[computertoast]

A while a go I ran into a critical issue on my daily driver PC (Dell XPS 8940, 16gb RAM, Intel i5 11400, ROG Strix AMD Radeon RX 6600 XT). When I was going along my day with normal use, I recieved a message form my driver/firmware updater service that was bundled with my computer, Dell Update (Like Alienware Update). It said I had a few updates to install, so I did. Turns out one of them was BIOS/firmware and once the computer restarted I waited throught the firmware update screen and was taken to my desktop of chaos.
I was having major graphical issues, my mouse cursor was corrupted, my GPU fans were turning on and off spasmodically, my video cut out and I was recieving alerts from my GPU driver saying a driver timeout occured. I powered through the corruption and updated the drivers for the GPU but nothing happened.
Got a trusted IT professional over and he confirmed it was the GPU. Nothing is wrong when running off of integrated. He says he knows it's the GPU but doesn't know if it's firmware/vBIOS/drivers or I pushed it too hard with VR. I presume I didn't as I made sure the card would work and not be under too much load when playing VR. Do I need to reflash my vBIOS? It may have been a vBIOS update gone awry.

 

[spunk.funk]

Your GPU now needs to be updated to work with the new Bios Upgrade
Download DDU app Uninstall all GPU drivers. With the GPU in the computer, Restart then download the driver for your GPU.
https://www.amd.com/en/support/grap.../amd-radeon-6600-series/amd-radeon-rx-6600-xt restarting afterward.

 

[computertoast]

Your GPU now needs to be updated to work with the new Bios Upgrade
Download DDU app Uninstall all GPU drivers. With the GPU in the computer, Restart then download the driver for your GPU.
https://www.amd.com/en/support/grap.../amd-radeon-6600-series/amd-radeon-rx-6600-xt restarting afterward.

I'm finding it difficult to navigate the desktop with all of the blackouts and other corruption happening, should I do anything in order to make it easier, possibly safe mode? Forgot you cannot update drivers through safe mode.

 

[spunk.funk]

Hold the Shift key and restart the computer, if Windows tries to load, shut the computer down with the power button. Do this 3 times in a Row and it should trigger the Troubleshooting menu. You can also do this by booting from a Windows Installer USB Flash Drive.
Go to Advanced, Advanced Startup. Enable Low Resolution Video Mode

 

[computertoast]

Perfect, I'll do just that once I'm around the machine in question. I should also note, I ran the diagnostics software bundled with my computer, and it said something along the lines of a degraded PCIe connection, mentioning that I should reseat the GPU. I've done that, along with cleaning the port and contacts on the MOBO and GPU, but it still gives me this error. Is this something to worry about?

 

[spunk.funk]

Yes, this is something to worry about.
Make sure to clean and blow out dust with a can of compressed air on the connector and power plug from the PSU to the GPU as well, If you have another Power Plug from the PSU for the GPU that you can test. If you have access to another GPU that you can borrow for a test.

 

[computertoast]

My boot menu looks like this : I'm unsure on how to proceed (Highlighted option is Windows Boot Manager)

 

[spunk.funk]

Windows Boot Manager is the correct boot option.?

I don't understand, your post says you can boot fine normally? It is just a problem with the Video?
If you can't boot to the Troubleshooting Menu as stated in Post # 4, then create a bootable Windows Installer USB Flash Drive
Put the Flash drive in the computer restart and press F12 to select the Flash Drive as a one time boot. In the Installer, choose your Language, then Repair Your Computer and follow the Troubleshooting steps in post #4

 

[computertoast]

I apologize, I got confused briefly there. I have gone into low resolution video mode and I am experiencing the same issues. Does this say anything or do I just power through and get the drivers uninstalled and reinstalled?
P.S What options do you reccomend for DDU? I have gotten it installed and am unsure as to what needs to be uninstalled.
Update: I have followed the instructions and I am experiencing the same issues. (Driver timeouts, corrupted cursor, screen freezing, blackscreening) I have also received a message from the same software mentioning that I have a few firmware updates.

 

[spunk.funk]

Here is a step by step instruction for DDU. DDU Guide / Tutorial
Once uninstalled, restart and the generic Windows driver should load, then proceed to download the most recent driver for your GPU

 

[computertoast]

Here is a step by step instruction for DDU. DDU Guide / Tutorial
Once uninstalled, restart and the generic Windows driver should load, then proceed to download the most recent driver for your GPU

Hello again, I have used DDU twice, as it recommends, and I am now in my desktop as normal, with none of the above mentioned issues (other than the obvious inevitable issues of no drivers). My desktop looks completely normal (not like low resolution video mode like I've encountered on other computers), and I am waiting to reinstall the new drivers. However, the reason it did not work last time I tried was because the issues came up again as soon as the new drivers were installed. Does this say anything?
Footnote: I'm sure this is normal but I'd like to mention that the GPU does not show up in task manager.

 

[spunk.funk]

If everything works after uninstalling the AMD driver, then leave it that way.
If you are not getting the resolution that you desire from your GPU, then you can try downloading the correct driver from the AMD web site https://www.amd.com/en/support/grap.../amd-radeon-6600-series/amd-radeon-rx-6600-xt

 

[computertoast]

If everything works after uninstalling the AMD driver, then leave it that way.
If you are not getting the resolution that you desire from your GPU, then you can try downloading the correct driver from the AMD web site https://www.amd.com/en/support/grap.../amd-radeon-6600-series/amd-radeon-rx-6600-xt

The resolution of my display is fine, but I have major issues like not being able to run games, let alone my VR system, and things on web pages rasterize slowly. Although this may have solved the issues I was having before, it brings its own set of problems that can only be solved by downloading the driver. However, I am scared to do so as before it just brought back the same issues. I am very confused as to what to do as in both paths I technically lose the support of my GPU.

 

[computertoast]

Hello spunk.funk, I believe I have fixed the issue. By running the same software that initiated the previous BIOS update, I was able to see that multiple other components on my system had remained not updated. This included yet another system BIOS update. On the assumption that I had nothing left to lose, I decided to go ahead with flashing the new BIOS, which turned out to fix the issue. I greatly appreciate the help and support you have given me, and I apologize for any undue stress regarding this seemingly unsolvable issue. I hope you have a good day!

 

[spunk.funk]

No stress on my end, I am glad you got it sorted