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    T61 LCD distortion

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by pepclub, Nov 8, 2013.

  1. pepclub

    pepclub Notebook Consultant

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    My T61 started having some display problems today. Moving pink particles started appearing on white areas (imagine a TV image with very poor reception).

    IMG_0016.jpg IMG_0017.jpg IMG_0018.jpg

    Plugged in into an external monitor and everything is fine. So GPU is ruled out. Increasing/decrasing brightness dosen't affect the image. Also tried taking out the LCD ribbon cable connected to the mainboard and dusting it out to no avail. Any ideas on which part is at fault? Or any other things to try?
     
    pepclub, Nov 8, 2013
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  2. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

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    I'm sorry to say that the GPU is NOT ruled out.

    There are two separate outputs from it: digital for LCD, and analog for VGA. One can work fine while the other is completely or partially down.

    From what I'm seeing here, you need a replacement planar.

    Good luck.
     
    ajkula66, Nov 8, 2013
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  3. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    I seen artifacting like this before but on a Dell computer, it was the GPU that failed (strangely it was using Intel Graphics) and needed a new board. Do you see pink artifacting on the BIOS screen too? If so then it would most likely point to the GPU that is on its way out which is really unfortunate.
     
    PatchySan, Nov 8, 2013
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  4. pepclub

    pepclub Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks for the reply guys. In the BIOS, there are also pink lines lining on the edge of the THINKPAD logo and general TV fuzziness on the black background. This would be my 3rd Quadro NVS 140m failure. Previous 2 replaced under warranty.

    Guess I will be getting a X3100 board, FRU 42W7866. Any other reliable place to source for it? Aside from ebay?
     
    pepclub, Nov 8, 2013
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  5. ajkula66

    ajkula66 Courage and Consequence

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    Post a WTB (want to buy) ad on TPF (forum.thinkpads.com • Marketplace - Forum Members only)...a place where sellers maintain a lot more integrity than on feebay.

    Good luck.
     
    ajkula66, Nov 8, 2013
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  6. pepclub

    pepclub Notebook Consultant

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    Thanks, you guys were right on the money! Bought a X3100 board and swap it out, and my T61 is running perfectly now, as a added bonus, much cooler. So in total I had 3 NVS 140m that died on me in my T61
     
    pepclub, Nov 23, 2013
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  7. PatchySan

    PatchySan Om Noms Kit Kat

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    Congrats on restoring your T61! The X3100 is typically bombproof in reliability and should serve you quite well for a couple more years. I'm still on the original board from 2007 and it's nice knowing that you don't have to worry about the NVIDIA timebomb anymore.
     
    PatchySan, Nov 23, 2013
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