Problems with my new T61

Hi,

I got my T61 this week, and am having some weird problems with it... The main problems is the system randomly shuts down and/or locks up (Sometimes completely, other times it will be for 5 maybe 6 seconds.), which is completely confusing me, because I have not done anything to the computer and haven't installed anything on the computer except Windows/Lenovo updates and KIS7. To give you an example, when I booted up the system right now to get online the system froze during startup and I had to hold the power button to turn it off.

And yesterday I got a "blue screen error", when I wasn't even doing anything - I left the room to get a drink, and when I came back Windows had restarted and told me it had something about a "blue screen error" and that it wanted to check the "consistency" of "C:/", which I let it do, once it went into its process there everything became greek to me, it kept talking about things like "removing orphan file XXX" or deleting this or that... Good news is that once it was done it did say it had successfully recovered.

I really don't know what the problem is here... Could it be a hardware problem? Maybe Lenovo didn't properly install Windows?

I am about ready to just send the thing back, I mean seriously, I spend $1,200 on something and can't even get a working product?

Basic specs: T9300, 160GB 7200RPM, Vista Ultimate, 2GB Memory (1GB standard and 1GB Turbo Memory), Intel AGN, WSXGA+, Intel X3100 and Bluetooth.

Any advise is welcome...

Thanks!

 

1GB of turbo memory won't give you 2GB system memory...just to let you know.
turbo memory speeds up access times of the hard drive (supposedly)
you could have a defective RAM module, try and run MemTest to test the memory.
also...try and uninstall any windows updates for now. i just installed one earlier this week and when my computer was on battery power, it would randomly freeze. after uninstalling the update, it stopped freezing.

 

Well I came across the same problem. Freezing @ the xp bootscreen. I HAVE no idea why. I ran test and everything (hardware) was / is ok..... It does this randomly. Once in 1-2 months.... I would expect not to do it cuz' I payed a lot of money for it but till that's the only problem, well it's not worth it for me to send it back and wait a month for a new one customize it again and so on.... I hear a strange electricity kinda' sound sometimes while it's working.... that bugs me more and I don't know if I should worry or not. I hear it since I got it.

 

if i were you i would send it back to Lenovo for repairs.
as far as paying a lot of money for it, at least you didn't overpay for a sony and have it fail more often than a lenovo. i think you just got a defect. send it back and get a new one.

 

The problem is likely a cause of the Turbo memory. I know that when I got my t61 back in July it was a pretty widespread problem. I would've figured that it would've been fixed by now.

My suggestions to you would be to either update the turbo memory drivers or disable the turbo memory and see what happens. I'm sure if you do a search for this, you will find people with the same issues.

Also, another cause for the problem could be the thinkpad hard drive protection. I know that was giving me problems as well. If the above options don't work, then trying turning this feature off and see if the problem persists.


Here are a few links that note the problems:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=206141&highlight=bsod+turbo+memory

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=154345&highlight=bsod+turbo+memory

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=205725&highlight=bsod+turbo+memory

 

Thanks for the advice guys.

I wish I had known about the Turbo Memory problems before I ordered. It seems the problems are only getting worse on my system... Since I first posted, I have gotten another blue screen and a ton of other crashes - 3 just this evening.

I attached a text file with the details Windows gave me about the second blue screen... But I don't understand any of it, anyone care to chime in?

I also was wondering if there is any way to disable Turbo Memory, without actually having to open the laptop and take the card out? I was looking in device manager, and there are only options to uninstall the driver.

Also, has anyone successfully gotten Lenovo to accept a return on a open product without the 15% restocking charge? It would seem reasonable in a case like this.

Thanks!

 

Sure sounds like defective RAM. Download the bootable CD @

http://www.memtest86.com/download.html

And then let the test run for at least two full cycles.

Alacrity

 

i don't know about return, but they should replace it.

 

You should talk to Lenovo and find out. Press for a replacement if that's what you want. However, they'll probably tell you it needs to be repaired.

 

Good news!

I got Lenovo to take the laptop back without a restocking charge. I spent about 4 or 5 hours on the phone, while they ran be through all sorts of stupid tests, but in the end I got what I wanted. I did however, have to place a new order. I made some changes though, no garbage Intel Turbo Memory, 2GB instead of 1GB of memory and XP Pro instead of Vista Ultimate.

I went with XP this time because I felt that the graphics requirements of Vista were somewhat heavy on the Intel X3100, and I didn't want to have to upgrade to a dedicated graphics card since I don't game (I have a PS3 for that), and have no need for Vista anyway. I also got the 2GB standard, just to keep it simple and not have to do my own upgrade.

The timing couldn't have worked out better either, I have been on vacation the last 2 weeks, and got this worked out the day I was leaving, and now my new one is coming Wednesday!

Here's hoping there are no problems with my new system!