AN517-54 disappearing GPU, no NVidia GPU anymore.WiFi and Bluetooth now working well.

Acer Nitro 5, AN517-54. SNID #xxxxxxx

I typed a whole long detailed post day before yesterday and sent it. It said something about moderation and disappeared into the ether, yet to be seen again. So let me try again but just hit the highlights.

Upgraded memory. Cleaned fans. Broke fan. Without realizing also broke antenna connector on network card. Replaced broken fan, works well. Finally discovered broken network card. Replaced with generic Intel AX201NGW, worked well. OCD dummy me wanted "Killer" branded card. Tried AX1690i (aka AX411NGW). Couldn't get it to work. Put AX201NGW back in. Had awful time getting antenna wires connected but finally success. WiFi and Bluetooth now working well.

Then realized I had no NVidia GPU anymore.

So far I've tried.

Installing updated drivers. Didn't work because GPU doesn't appear to exist.
Resetting BIOS by disconnecting main and CMOS battery and letting sit overnight.
Reinstalling Windows from scratch. (A couple times).

No joy. And no GPU. And subsequently no working HDMI out, which I kinda need since I use this laptop to drive the overhead TV's for church choir practice and Sunday service.

Help! Please send lawyers, guns and money. Or just tell me how to get my GPU back.

[Edited the post to hide sensitive data]

[Edited the thread to add issue detail]

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Commodore_1995#

Hello! Does the video card appear as a hidden device in device manager?

DavidC1857

Originally, I think it did, but only because it had been there once and there were drivers for it. But now that I've reinstalled Windows from scratch, no it doesn't.

DavidC1857

Just remembered. One of the suggestions I saw while googling was to reflash the BIOS. I can't figure out how to do that with this model. I already have the latest BIOS flashed and all the flash program will do is tell me that. I'd try to go down a version, or reflash the same version, but it won't let me.