T430s owners'/would-be owners' thread.

I really think this is related to discrete video card. Per my previous post, I ordered my system on 9/13, it got shipped on 9/16, and I'm tracking it now through UPS for a confirmed tomorrow's delivery on 9/20. My system was configured with Intel HD Graphics and sales rep told me that it will not be shipped until problem related to my config is resolved. I think they are still trying to figure out what's going on with that video card, thus other orders got delayed. I can imagine how frustrating it is, but trust me, it will be more frustrating when you have to ship your system back under warranty and wait for a fix.

 

I have integrated graphics and the problem; it applies to both graphics options. Lenovo has said as much in the thread at their forum.

 

And if I'm not mistaken the issue with Intel chipset and integrated video chip was resolved first week of September while they are still working on discreet card resolution? I thought I read on that university webpage where they were tracking this problem.

 

Anyone has tried the latest integrated intel video driver (8.15.19.2788) and BIOS(1.14) ?

 

Here you go, straight from Lenovo forum posted by one of the admins (Mark) on 9/11:

"This seems to be a tolerance issue and so far it looks like a small percentage of the existing T430s could exhibit these symptoms. We have implemented an update to manufacturing on new T430s models with integrated graphics starting 9/7/12. It will take several more weeks (possibly end of this month) to update our service part stock with updated boards.

We are working toward a final solution / update for the optimus equipped models."

Thus, new systems with integrated graphics shipped starting last week should be OK (I hope ), while I'm guessing they are still working on resolution with NVIDIA card. Once resolution is found, they will update manufacturing as well. All the systems shipped prior to the "fix" which do experience BSOD problem, will have to be serviced here in US where Lenovo has to update replacement boards. My only guess if you purchased your system in July/August and haven’t experienced BSOD, you are lucky not to be a part of that “small percentage” statistics.

Listen, sh!t happens, but I can tell you from my experience of dealing with IBM/Lenovo and owning close to half a dozen of their Thinkpads in the last 10 years - they do stand behind their product, their quality is bar none, and in the long run Thinkpads are the most reliable and bulletproof systems. Period.

 

Thanks for the update.

The way you put it gives me a chuckle. "Close to half a dozen"? 4 or 5?

 

I did. Nothing interesting to report.

 

I kind of doubt that statement about "small percentage". It is more likely that all of the machines are affected. That is why Lenovo had to delay delivery for all recent orders. Since crash appears to be random and relatively infrequent some owners may not even know about this.

Even Lenovo support is not very helpful as they are not aware of the problem. When I called them they had no idea what I was talking about so I had to tell them to search for "T430s" and "BSOD". Once search opened they just said: "I see...".

I wonder what would happen if that Wake Forrest University did not order whole bunch of machines and made a noise after they started crashing. I am also curious if Lenovo is going to issue official recall or they are going to leave unsuspecting owners with defective machines.

 

Chuckle all you want but I did go through 600x (home), T23 (work), T42 (home), T60 (15" home), T60 (14" work), T400s (home), and T430s (soon to be at home). Not to mention at my work we had over 60k people using exclusively Thinkpads for the last decade until recently with budget cuts they switched to HP support and now I have a shinny silver EliteBook brick with the only advantage of 7hr battery life... Yeah, yeah, I know - i'm a Thinkpad fanboy lol!!!

 

So, a bit more than "half a dozen," then. Don't doubt you, but it's just funny to hear phrases like "close to a quarter of a century." (I own "more than a dozen" of 'em.)

 

Gives more credibility using big words like "dozen" or "century"

 

Updates regarding the BSOD issue

Lenovo:

Customer:

Lenovo:

Emphasis added.

 

Where do you see this update from lenovo? And I just received an email from lenovo saying that the order was delayed again for another 3-4 weeks.... I just can't bear that.... totally lose patience....

 

Click the links above the quotes.

 

I got an update of another delay as well. My patience has run out. On doing more research, it turns out I was wrong about non-retina MBPs (you can put 16G after market, and can take the battery out yourself although it's not officially supported). I canceled my t430s and ordered the non-retina MBP. I should have it in the middle of next week.

 

One thing we can safely conclude after this 101/124 blue screen fiasco is that all those stories about "rigorous testing" are just marketing crap.

Quote from Lenovo (or should I say Lemonovo?):

Tested almost beyond belief.
Baked, battered, blistered and blown with sand — our Think-branded systems endure a lot before they ever reach you. They are rigorously tested, consistently innovative and always improving. How tough are ThinkPads? They're the laptops used by NASA on the International Space Station.​

Yeah, right. I hope they have no T430s up there.

 

The tests Lenovo always boasts about, if they are true at all, are virtually all mechanical -- fancy variations on the drop test, if you will. Nothing to do with electronics and software.

 

I figured to post a very brief summary of my T430s experience: ordered on 9/13, shipped on 9/17, received on 9/20. The system is basic: i5/4GB/HD+/bklt kbd/ultimate wifi/320GB, before taxes and not including 4yr ext warranty ($230) final discounted price came down to $902. Owning other Thinkpads in the past, a true wow factor was going from T60 to T400s. From T400s to T430s is great, but not the same “wow”.

Display is OK, a lot brighter than T400s, and also longer in width and narrower in height. Other than that, the same TN panel with limited viewing angles. Build quality is the same top notch, no complains. Battery life with a balanced performance and Brightness set at 12 is about 3:20hr. When I had it set to Max performance, it went down to 2:30hr. This is my DAW laptop for music production projects so it will be always plugged in whenever I need full CPU load, thus don’t care about extended battery life. The obvious big change is a keyboard – which I absolutely LOVE!!! I was nervous after hearing Lenovo switched to chiclet style, but they done it right, and backlit is also a very nice addition. Also, very impressed how loud the speakers are. Obviously, lack of bass, but it’s a lot louder in comparison to T400s.

Out of the box I run a quick Windows Experience Index which came out at Processor (7.2), Memory (5.9), Graphics Aero (5.0), Gaming graphics (6.4), HD (5.9). I just added Corsair Vengeance 4GB stick ($23) and Samsung 830 256GB SSD ($199), and did a clean Win7 HP64 install (Hearsts guide is very useful). Afterwards, Index has improved to Processor (7.2), Memory (7.5), Graphics (6.5), Gaming graphics (6.5), and HD (7.9). Next, waiting for HDD caddy to throw in a second multimedia storage drive.

Overall, a great solid lightweight system!!! Me happy

 

Got the new T430s. No blue screens so far and is near perfect. The only problem is with the annoying creaking keyboard when using the PageUp key and the left arrow key. All other keys are fine. Is this just my machine ? Any way to prevent this ?

 

Hi, 0xnr, when did your order you T430s? and is it the one with optimums graphics or integrated graphics? It is said that the orders of T430s have been delayed again...(maybe just with optimums graphics) my order was placed on Aug.27th....

 

T430s Integrated graphics. Ordered 08/17. Shipped 09/13. Received 09/20

 

thx... I ordered an T430s with optimums graphics...haven't been shipped yet...

 

Re: T430s-2352 Blue Screen and Stop Code 101 Issue - Page 7 - Lenovo Community

09/20 : a hardware update for optimus models has been introduced into manufacturing yesterday. So, all pending orders from Lenovo direct whether integrated or optimus configurations will include the update. So, I guess it will be shipped soon for you.

 

thank you. I hope so...

 

Just checked mine, seems to be OK. Have you tried removing DVD drive or caddy (whatever you have plugged in there)? Maybe remove and plug it back in. PgUp and <- keys are right around the edge of the pocket where drives plugs in.

One thing I found a little weird is the backlit consistency. Can you, or anybody else with backlit keyboard, comment on how even the lighting is? All the keys are evenly light up except for Function row. F6/F7 are super bright while it gets dimmer to toward the Esc and Delete, with those two keys at the opposite end being very dim. Anybody else? I feel the keyboard leds will not last too long.

Also, battery life is not stellar. I waited until the battery got fully discharged, and charged back up, and with balanced setting and 12-britness see it around 3:20hr while idle. Once I was downloading all Win7 updates (whooping 87 of those) the battery started to discharge quicker, within minutes it was showing 2hr left. Might have to play around with settings, unless my battery is defective.

BTW, after installing Sammy 830 (256GB SSD) and still with a relatively clean Win7 install, I managed to bootup within 17 seconds and shutdown in about 7 seconds. Now, that is amazing!!!

 

Nothing to do with the DVD drive, it is not too bothersome, it certainly is louder than other keys. Thanks for checking it. Sorry, I don't have backlit keyboard.

 

I have the same creaking issue, but with the Delete and Return keys, and it's quite annoying. I called Lenovo's tech support and they asked to send it back to factory, though I haven't done it yet because of a warranty issue and also because I want to wait for the 101 BSOD issue to be fixed before sending it.

Regarding the creaking issue, my keyboard is somewhat loose at the upper right corner, which seems to be causing the creaking sound. If I hold the corner while pressing the Delete key, it no longer makes any noise. I tried removing/replugging the keyboard, but it didn't really help. I hope that it can be fixed because it's definitely annoying and simply unacceptable for a ThinkPad keyboard.

 

Thank you. That's exactly what it is. I pressed down on the keyboard at the lower end, and there is no sound anymore. It is very annoying mainly because I use those two keys a lot when browsing.

 

It is ugly, but this is my workaround for now.

 

hmm i havent noticed any creaking sound so far. about 1.5 months old t430s
also wanted to share if people would like to get back the properties key instead of printscreen, i use the following autohotkey script.

PrintScreen::AppsKey ;map prtsc to properties key
^PrintScreen: rintScreen ; ctrl-prtsc functions as printscreen key

 

I just order my T430s w/ i5-3320M. It comes w/ 4GB ram so I will buy a 8GB ram 1600ghz so make it 4 + 8 = 12GB ram.

Would 4+8 count 12gb as normal?

I am not sure how to ask this... as I know the dual channel problem only if 1 stick is 1333 and another is 1600, the lower one will be counted.

But if I have 4 +8 gb ram, will it count as 4+4 ?? (as the lower one will be counted?)

Thank you for your attention!

 

Perfectly normal. There will be a total of 12GB.

 

it'll be 12 GB but i doubt if it'll be dual channel even if you get 1600 MHz 8 GB module. as the RAM density is different on the 8GB stick

 

Intel memory controllers support Flex Mode. In the above case, 4GB + 4GB run in dual-channel, the remaining 4GB run in single-channel.

Programs like CPU-Z and HWiNFO64 report "dual channel."

 

Kingston DDR-3 1600MHz 8GB KVR16N11/8

So the above ram will work fine for my coming T430s???

Anyone is using it?

Great thanks!

 

No that module is for desktop. you need SO-DIMM module. 204 pins

 

really?
check this out: Kingston DDR-3 1600MHz 8GB KVR16N11/8 - RAM

I guess they have the wrong part#?!
the picture seems right for notebook..

 

You need this: Kingston 8GB 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 Laptop Memory Model KVR16S11/8

 

It looks like default setting for "Link state power management" under AC power is wrong and that could be causing blue screens.

Go to Power Manager / Power Plan / Advanced Settings / PCI Express - Link state power management and change default setting from " Maximum power savings" to " Off". There are plenty of posts in various forums about this causing crashes. That setting looks wrong anyway.

 

I am newbie of thinkpad...

if I install win8 in my T430s, will I lose all the default thinkpad software/ setting/ drivers?

if yes, how can I get all of them back? Will any of them just cannot be installed again?

 

I would highly recommend installing Windows 8 in a separate partition and keep Windows 7 around since the customer preview copy will expire sooner or later.

Lenovo has a page for beta drivers for windows 8. Not all drivers worked for me, but it's a start. I had to download the video card driver from Intel.

Windows 8 Beta Drivers

 

Interesting. Do you have any more detail on this?

[Edit: On Maximum Performance, which is what I keep myself on most of the time, the default was already set to "Off."]

 

What prompted me to check Power Manager settings was the comment on lenovo forums where one of the members (thinkfly) mentioned this:

"According to my overclocking experience with Sandy Bridge CPUs, full load stability doesn't necessarily guarantee idle stability. Most BSOD would occur during the transition of states between load and idle, which means the vcore must be further bumped above minimum load stability to assure idle stability."​

That "maximum savings" is almost certainly wrong when under AC power but since you are using max. performance mode and this is off then I could be wrong.

There is an interesting discussion here about balanced vs. maximum performance settings and actual performance.

http://forum.notebookreview.com/windows-os-software/410831-power-plan-controversy.html

[Edit:] It appears that Power Manager suggestion mentioned above was just wishful thinking. My machine crashed again.

 

Hi! I had a question and I do apologize if it has already been asked in this long thread.

I am thinking on getting a t430s as soon as the whole BSOD is a thing of the past.

My question is if it would be possible to replace the t430s' screen in the future for a replacement screen from a newer t4x0s screen. For example, is it possible to replace a t410s screen for a t430s screen today?

Reason why I ask is because it would be sweet to know that I can upgrade its screen in the future when lenovo decides to get their t4x0s screens upgraded to something more reasonable.

Thanks in advanced for the help on this!

 

The T410s 14" screen is a 16:10 1440x900 screen (typically). The T430s is 16:9 1600x900 (typically) and therefore the physical dimensions are different.

I would not buy a machine with the intention of upgrading the screen. If the screen is that important to you, you should buy a machine that meets your screen requirements.

 

This is a crosspost from the lenovo forum, that I also want to place here.

I got my T430s this week after a month. After unpacking I noticed some fingerprints on the lid and also on the display. So I assume the model was reworked, because from the regular manufacturing process I don't expect any fingerprints. However, it runs and did not yet bluescreen. Or perhaps the fingerprints are from wrapping or QA, who knows.

It did not have the current BIOS 2.02. I didn't note down which version it had, but it was 1.13 or perhaps even 1.11. Is there an update history somehere? I really don't remember. But I don't think this indicates an old board. I can imagine that new BIOS versions are not immediately put into production. They might always wait some months to see if any compatibility problems arise.

Package (ID) UEFI BIOS (BIOS ID) ECP (ECP ID) Rev. Issue Date
---------------- --------------------- ---------------- ---- -----------
2.02 (G7UJ04US) 2.02 (G7ET60WW) 1.09 (G7HT33WW) 01 2012/09/18
1.14 (G7UJ03US) 1.14 (G7ET32WW) 1.08 (G7HT32WW) 01 2012/09/05
1.13 (G7UJ02US) 1.13 (G7ET31WW) 1.08 (G7HT32WW) 01 2012/07/17
1.11 (G7UJ01US) 1.11 (G7ET29WW) 1.05 (G7HT29WW) 01 2012/06/04

Some general remarks:

o the lid: when the lid is closed, my laptop has an oval gap in the middle between the lid and the base. it's perhaps 2-3mm wide. But I found pictures in internet that show the same, so I think it's intentionally. I remember mark_lenovo (?) stating in another thread it's for providing some resistance against pressure. And in fact, I can close the gap by putting some light pressure on the lid. I remember my old T41p got scratches on the screen when the keyboard rubbed against the screen during transportation. Perhaps they want to avoid something like this to happen.

o the device is really light

o the keyboard: I really like it, the chiclet keys are a pleasure to press down, but they should have switched CTRL and FN. I'm constantly hitting FN instead of CTRL.

o the touch pad: I don't like the bumpy surface. The finger doesn't glide very well. I prefer the smooth pad of my Latitude.

o I made a clean install on a Samsung SSD 830, so I don't have any of that preinstalled bloatware. I did not install any of the ThinkVantage tools except for system update, and even that proved almost useless, because it only downloads packages, but fails to install them. There's just a notification that installation failed. I could install all packages manually though. So I only use that thing as a downloader. But why all manufacturers give their packages names like g7uj04us.exe? Is it so difficult to use a name that says what it is and what version?

o switching between Optimus and HD 4000 works like a charm

o the laptop is very quiet, but I did not really put it under heavy load yet.

o USB 3.0: I have an external USB 3.0 case (fantec), which works on all ports, but after installing the USB 3.0 drivers it refused working on the USB 3.0 port. It still works on the 2.0 port, but the info bubble even says this is an USB 3.0 device and would work faster on an USB 3.0 port. The USB 3.0 port still works with 2.0 devices. So either the fantec case or the drivers are crap.

And I really would like to have one USB port on the right side. When I sit in my chair, I place the laptop on my laps and then the mouse plug in the back is always in the way or pressing against my leg. Not good, it could break.

o the screen: I can see the grid. My Latitude e6410 display doesn't have that. The viewing angles are similarly bad. Both doesn't bother me so much, because I wil mostly work on a Dell U2410 (one of the best monitors around with IPS panels) when I do "serious" work. What bothers me more is the silly 16:9 format. I was kind of shocked that 900 lines are squeezed in about 2 cm less vertical space than on the Latitudes 16:10 screen. But Dell switched to 16:9 too. I want 16:10 back!

o the virtualization features were turned off in the BIOS. Is there any advantage in turning them off if you don't need virtualization?

 

Yep, the gap under the lid is common in this T430s.

What's the CrystalDiskMark are you getting with 830 SSD? Mine is:



Also, just curious, how much time can you squeeze out of your battery?

With screen, I guess I got used to it after 3+ years with T400s...

 

1st run


2nd run


Funny how the results differ. I have the Intel 7 Series Chipset Family SATA AHCI Controller version 11.2.0.1006.

 

I get approximately six hours on my T430s, which has both the standard battery as well as a bay battery.

 

I pulled the plug and set the brightness to 10. The battery indicator changes from 97% (where it is always being plugged) to 96% and promises 5h 21 minutes. I think that estimate will reduce a bit after a while, but it should be 4hrs or more.

After a few minutes it changed to 4:20, now it's back at 5:30 (94%).

Edit: 25 minutes unplugged now without much load and the inidcator is at 4:27 (91%).