Troubleshooting a Mysterious GPU Issue: Seeking Help for a Used Laptop

As someone who works in IT, I pride myself on being able to solve various tech-related problems. However, I’m currently facing a perplexing challenge with a recently acquired laptop—one that is testing my skills to the limit.

Not long ago, I purchased a used laptop equipped with an Nvidia GeForce 3060 GPU from my previous employer. Initially, it performed flawlessly for two weeks, but then, out of the blue, the GPU ceased functioning.

Determined to resolve the issue, I have undertaken numerous troubleshooting steps to no avail. Here’s what I’ve tried so far:

• Driver Reinstalls: I went through the process of reinstalling the graphics drivers, suspecting they might be the culprit.
• BIOS Updates: I updated the BIOS in hopes of rectifying any underlying firmware issues.
• Version Reversions: To cover all bases, I reverted both the BIOS and Windows updates to earlier versions, aiming to troubleshoot any conflicts.
• Attempted Uninstalls: I also uninstalled the GPU drivers and tested older versions in an attempt to restore functionality.
• Complete Windows Reinstallation: As a last resort, I performed a full Windows reinstallation, only to revert to a previous build afterward, hoping it would make a difference.

Despite these extensive efforts, the GPU is recognized in the Device Manager but is not acknowledged by any other software, which begs the question: what am I missing?

If anyone has encountered a similar issue or has insights on potential solutions, I would greatly appreciate your advice. The frustrating part is that everything indicates that the GPU is operational, yet it’s not cooperating with the applications I need. Your expertise could help shed light on this perplexing situation!