Lenovo W520 Owner's Thread

How is the X220 outdoor display (Outdoors) compared to the W520 fhd display if anyone tried?

 

Probably the only way to know for sure is to do some Windows startup tracing to see what is causing the delay. That assumes it is an app, driver or service causing the issue.

It could be hardware and your Corsair SSD.

 

How do I start a trace?

 

If only it was this cheap this time last year when I bought my W520...

 

That's not that cheap...

 

I plan to do a clean installation of Windows and Kubuntu (Can't stand Unity) on my new Crucial M4.

Anyway I have Ironhide on my current 11.10 installation and it sort of works but I'm wondering if Bumblebee would be better. Does anyone have Bumblebee installed? How is it working? Is the installation straightforwards?

Also I'm thinking about waiting for 26th (or maybe 28th) till 12.04 comes out and then do the installation. If anyone has experience with 12.04 on W520 their input is much appreciated.

 

Remember the issue i talked about, when system detect AC adapter was disconnected even though you didn't, and "reconnect" about 12seconds later. Well it's still doing it and maybe more than before. Anyone ever found out where it comes from?

 

Ivy Bridge would be out in two weeks anyway...

 

Is this confirmed? It doesn't look like it...

If so, would they be providing Ivy Bridge into the current W520 or only in the W530?

I also tried that coupon code, CAPPREMIUM, but it doesn't work on my config - planning to buy in the next week or so - if the price is right.

Only the current PREMIUM code appears to be working...

In fact, prices appear to be at least $800-1,000 *more* than prices I was checking about a few months ago!

Btw, is their any benefit to this wireless LAN card?: "Intel CA-N+WiMAX 6250 MOW" - worth upgrading the WiFi card to this one from a standard one? (in the interest of future availability of WiMAX...?)

 

My W510 does this too... I don't know why, but would love to know if anyone has any idea about this as well.

 

This sounds like a failing power component or interference from static electricity.

 

Does anyone W520 flickers between shut down screen and desktop screen when you restart or shut it down? It goes back and forth about 3-5 times before it restarts or shuts down, getting pretty annoying.

 

Have never seen this. Is the screen actually turning off (backlight and all) or is the image just going black?

 

Try uninstalling Power Manager just to see if it's causing this. It has settings for tricking with the dimming during startup and shutdown, and it produced really weird effects for me. Once uninstalled it never happened.

 

Component like what? And where could that interference come from? Another issue i have:

A damn weird sound, dunno how to describe, first though of fan, but now thinking SSD (M4)..?

When i put my ear on that side, it seems to be coming from the place around USB ports.

 

With Windows 7?

 

Yeah with window 7. Now i have another problem with google chrome, my tab closes when i click on it. Agh..

 

What is your screen refresh rate set at? Make sure you disable any settings where Power Manager can lower refresh rate to save power.

Also, see if there are monitor autodetection settings in the Nvidia GPU settings. If there is, see if disabling monitor autodetection will fix your problem.

You don't need to uninstall Power Manager to disable this. Enable the Advanced settings mode, go to the Global Power Settings tab, then uncheck everything under Dynamic Brightness Control.

If you press, say, Ctrl + 2 (the number of the tab you're switching to), does the same behavior occur?

 

Hmm. I haven't given it that much thought. I searched PM settings but that's where it ended. I may contact Lenovo now that you mention 'failing power components'... I was just gonna live with it, but I certainly don't want a fire.

 

I think it's just some sort of software issue. My T500 has never done this, but my X120e does it every once in a while (maybe once or twice a month?). Since it happens so rarely, I haven't yet been able to home in on the cause.

 

I forgot to thank you- this worked perfectly. I'm just an idiot, didn't realize the screws went into the drive and not the caddy....

 

I'm having issues with cpu whine lately (I believe that's where it is coming from). It doesn't seem to be related to screen brightness or whether the laptop is connected to the ac adapter or not. Happens on Optimus and not. I'm really not sure what it is..

But after reinstalling Windows (twice) the problem doesn't seem to happen until after I start installing drivers. I thought it was the Windows update- but then I tried to hold off on the next install and do the Lenovo drivers first- and then it started happening again.

Maybe a little cpu whine can't be avoided, and I know it doesn't bother most people- but it absolutely kills me once I start noticing it (I might be a bit obsessive....). If anyone else had the same problem and figured out what caused it please let me know

 

Can anyone suggest a messenger-type laptop bag for the W520? (possibly purchasing in a month)

I'm currently using an Icon 200R ( http://www.ebay.com/itm/ICON-17-200R-LAPTOP-CARRYING-BAG-NEW-/290569099157)), but I don't think the W520 would fit inside - it appears to be a bit too wide.

I'm looking for a bag that can attach quickly to a rolling carry-on's handle/bars and should have some storage capacity in various compartments, including an area for files.

Any suggestions? TIA!

 

Trust me the CPU whine on the W520 is 10 times more quiet than it was in the Core 2 Duo era, so try to live with that. I had an X61 which all my neighbours noticed when I switched on in a lecture hall, not because of the fan but because of the whine. I ended up selling it for this very reason.

The W520 is dead silent compared to this.

 

That was what I was hoping... The thought of defective power supply components is concerning to say the least... With the recent examples of lack of QC in this area...

 

Hello fellow lenovo minion!

I come bringing you news of baaaaags....

I currently have a medium custom-built Timbuk2 bag. WARNING: The laptop sleeve for mediums do not fit the w520. You need to get a large, but I find that too big. I'm a 5'10 slim build kinda fella. The build quality is awesome, I love this bag. Gets me a lot of attention from the girls who know their (the kind i dig anyways...)

It does hold the laptop, so I had to buy a Built Sleeve with a strap.

This works really nicely, and I still use my existing bag. (I bought the bag before the laptop, but I still use this combination)

Enjoy!

 

It's not a bag but a sleeve, but I just want to report that the Zeroshock III 15.4 absolutely perfectly fits the W520 with the 9 cell!

It's a tight fit, on the first few days it's actually a bit too tight, but because of it's memory foam like properties it remembers the laptop's shape and adapts, so after a few days it's a perfect fit. Also, the Zeroshock III I believe is one of the best sleeves, it's really actually protecting the laptop, not just looks like a sleeve.

 

Yeah, if you're looking for a bag with compartments, and travel to the states (with pesky TSA people) and need a trolley/luggage pass through... Check out timbuk2's Command or Commutes, make sure to contact timbuk2 regarding which has the option of the pass through, there have been some mis prints. But over all. best bag i've ever owned for carrying all my . including my laptop with a sleeve over with!

 

Thanks! u guys are super helpful. Im going to try to do a couple of things that was mentioned in previous post to see if the screen flickers goes away. And as for the tab i realize its only when im using the laptop clicker. I normally use a thinkpad mouse and it doesnt happen with it.

 

Try uninstalling "ThinkPad UltraNav driver" to see if the clicking gets fixed.

 

I get what you're saying. If I take the laptop outside or bring it to starbucks or whatever I can't hear it at all. And it is a very quiet machine when I want it to be...

But the thing that's stopping me from making it my full time computer is the whine that I can hear while at home working. It's so amazingly grating, I can't stand it! (I'm crazy)

I can always just keep using the W520 while I'm out and my tower at home. But it's frustrating when I first install Windows and there is no whine.. seems like there has to be a fix. (I should just get used to it. I'm a crazy person)

Oh well.

 

If it is indeed triggered by a software / driver, then the only way to diagnose it is to clean install Windows, and install one driver a day, carefully listening if the noise comes up. It's a crazy process but if you are willing to do it it might reveal something about the W520's CPU whine.

 

Try disabling CPU deeper sleep and select "Maximum Turbo" for CPU performance. From what I understand the whine is mainly from the CPU being in a reduced power state, so by forcing the CPU to stay in a high frequency state, it shouldn't whine that much.

In my case, my room at home is big enough for me to not hear the whine. It was annoying for the first week or so in residence when I first started really noticing it, and after that I got used to it.

 

I have the 2.5 ghz processor. They said I can put turbo mode on and make it go at 3.5 ghz? Is that correct? Can some one explain to me how that works, is it an overclock or.... something else?

 

Core i5-2520M, I presume? It will turbo a single core to 3.2GHz, or both cores to 3.0GHz.

If you're referring to the quad-core Core i7-2860QM, that will turbo a single core to 3.6, two to 3.5, or all four to 3.3 GHz.

Here's a list.

Intel Turbo Boost:

 

messenger bags:

i had a timbuk2 (my first) commute 2.0 in ballistic nylon and it was a bad experience.

the bag fabric gave way after a while at where the strap triangle rings were stitched on. neither the strap ring fabric reinforcement nor the stitching that gave way, but rather the main bag fabric itself that started to fray and tear.

i had it exchanged after a few months but the problem repeated itself on my new bag. i seem to be the only unhappy timbuk2 customer.

i think it was a design issue.
these could be the killer bad combination:
a) heavy load
b) semi-rigid plate in the bag
c) across-the-back diagonal messenger style carrying

it seemed to create a bad stress point. after a while, the "furry" fraying become a real hole big enough for my finger.

if anybody's interested i can take a picture when i get home.

 

Backpacks distribute the load across both shoulders.

 

Sorry, back packs = high school.

Messenger bags = uni/working world.

 

I am looking for a good messenger bag for my W520 too...
Because of the battery contour, it seems to have some trouble with older standard 15 inch compartments.

 

I'm currently a university student with a co-op job as a software developer, and I use a backpack. The Wenger Pegasus is such a nice bag.

 

Wow... I feel about two inches tall. LOL! J/K

I actually carried a backpack through HS, undergrad, graduate school, and three years of postdoctoral training then right into my profession. LOL! I know that I need to go messenger for a more professional look, but it is so hard to find the (perfect) bag capable of "replacing" my backpack. I really want too, but I can't seem to find anything that will make me pull the trigger.

 

Funny, nearly everyone I know has been in the working world for 20 years and uses a backpack.

Travel with 20-40 pounds on a single shoulder for any length of time and the issue starts to materialize. You can either look great with your TUMI shoulder bag, or carry more in a good backpack.

I use the Wenger Synergy.

 

Definitely agree, I'll take a backpack and have better health in the long run over a good looking messenger bag.

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

 

Same here! Great minds...

As an aside, I'm downsizing, so my plan to go messenger is a measured one that will see the frequent transport of an iPad and the occasional transport of T4x0s or the like. If, and it's a big if..., the X2x0 comes in HD+ I may go that route...

 

I'm a uni student too and in my uni pretty much all students use a backpack who are riding a bike every day, or who care more about function than fashion.

 

Most of the students in my university use a backpack. Actually, even most of my professors use a backpack.

 

I just made a stupid mistake and got my FHD panel wet during cleaning.
Everything works fine but there is a big stain on the down left corner of the screen. Is there a way to fix this?

I have "one year limited warranty and is entitled to IBM EZSe rv service." Does anyone know that it will be convered by Warranty? My warranty expires in 12 days so I might need to renew this (wasn't planning to)...

If not which LCD should I buy? I saw "B156HW01 V.4". I want to make sure this is compatible and is as good as the original FHD. I'm going on a trip to US (from Canada) and if I have to order I want to do so I can get it while I'm there.

I don't mind paying extra for IPS or even multitouch?

Any help is much appreciated!

 

Buy this screen from this shop:
https://www.laptopscreen.com/English/screen-part-number/B156HW01 V.4/

But wait a few days for the old one to see if it dries out. I think it will probably dry out naturally. Take it out of the bezel (3 screws under the small rectangles + credit card + 4 small screws + 4 tiny screw) and keep it in a dry place for a day or two. You'll probably be lucky!

 

!

does the battery for the w520 'stick out' ?

i have an old t61 and i upgraded the battery to get more extended life, but the battery if not flush with the backside of the laptop. it sticks out. i was hoping that the w520 isnt like that, especially not the standard default

 

Thanks for the info.

I did open the panel and tried drying it out with a blower dryer on a mild level for an hour. It didn't help. It mostly likes stain and watermark left after it's dried (picture attached). If anyone has any suggestion that would be great.

The screen model is indeed Auo B156HW01 V.4 (attached).

BTW this is a great video for opening your panel: Lenovo ThinkPad T410 Laptop Screen Replacement Procedure - YouTube

I'm going to give it till tonight and see if there is any improvement. If not I have to order if i want to get it while I'm in US. :-(