T61P starting to get bluescreens (Nvidia)

Well i'm starting to get blue screens here and there, and I just got one with nvlxxxxx.dll while in lightroom and playing youtube...is my gpu going south? lol

Well that sucks as i've really been enjoying this machine with the 15" 1920x1200 screen....what is the next gen above this with non failing GPU and same screen? might have to start shopping soon.

 

Sorry to hear about your problems, its really hard to guess when the NVIDIA GPU's will fail on you all of a sudden. Does the system reboot back in normally after the BSOD? It could just be the odd driver glitch if you're lucky but what I'll do is backup your important files just in case the system is indeed on its last legs. It's not unusual for it to not being able to post anything afterwards which is the worst case scenario.

The last 15" ThinkPad that has such resolution would probably be the T500, the later versions all converted to 16:9 format thereafter. That said its not all doom and gloom, the 1920x1080 screens on those tend to be pretty good as well having the benefits of much better backlight using LED. If you're on a market for a new ThinkPad the W520 would probably be the most ideal replacement to the T61p.

 

It's been booting back into the OS fine...just getn the blue screens here and there now...it wasn't running hot or anything when it happened just now.

Yea it doesn't have to be specific on the rez, just 15" and 19xx x 10xx hehe at first I hated it because the fonts were so small...it took a while for my eyes to get used to it but once i did I kinda fell in love lol.

 

why not try to repaste the CPU/GPU ... might solve it, who knows, lol.

 

I wonder if you could swap in an Intel T61 motherboard.

OP have you tried going into safe mode and purging Nvidia drivers via CCleaner and downloading the latest ones? But as the above posters have pointed out, all Nvidia from Napa/Santa Rosa time period should be avoided at all costs.

 

That would be cool to swap in an intel T61 board

I will try re-installing the drivers. It's not often that it bluescreens, just once in a while.

 

This is pretty easy and straight forward. The really hard part is finding one.

 

I'd prob just pick up a parts T61 on ebay...depending on how much I love this one lol.

Well had another crash. Looked at the driver and it is dated 2009 from MS. Downloaded a newer version dated october of 2011 so we shall see what happens.

 

Another option is the software route. If you have the ability to do another clean install of the OS and that resolves the BSODs, then it may not have been hardware that was the culprit.

 

Before reinstalling windows how about booting off a Linux Live CD and seeing if you encounter any problems?

If suspicion does fall upon the Nvidia GPU (it's done well to last this long) then you could also try the oven or hair dryer methods to reseat the chip in the packaging. See here.

John

 

Well I haven't had any problems since the driver update!! YYYYYAY cuz I really enjoy this machine's screen ;-)

I bought this thing back in 2-19-2011 and it's still going strong. I was afraid the Nvidia chip might crap out but it looks like it's going to hold!

 

I'd definitely do what I could now to prevent the temps from rising.
ie. repaste, and using a good note book cooler.
I would also avoid any 3d gaming

 

Well just an update.... my T61p is still rock solid. ZERO problems with the GPU.

I installed a 128gb SSD in it a couple of years ago even. I've been kinda wanting to get something newer but at the same time that thing works perfectly so meh. Plus I really enjoy that 1080 screen.

I've since scored an X201 which I thought would replace the T61p as far as what gets used the most. However I prefer the T61p's screen for photography and general work (better for photos and a ton more workspace).

Loving the x201 though.

 

"Before reinstalling windows how about booting off a Linux Live CD and seeing if you encounter any problems? "

Why would anyone in their right mind try to boot Linux?
Renee

 

To rule out any hardware and/or driver issues that might be restricted to a Windows environment. After booting up the Linux Live Disk if the problems that are affecting the Windows install are present then it is more conclusive to say it is a hardware problem versus a Windows problem. I keep a couple of Live Linux Media nearby just in case.

 

If it ever was the board it is possible to salvage it and some boards that have undergone the "oven fix" have been successful provided than an IC like the gpu core isn't failing.

 

Huh. No.

The "oven fix" is a *very* temporary fix - at best - when it comes to the whole nVidia story.

 

I've done my share of oven baking, I find 8000 series Nvidia chips (and Quadro variants) affected by the BGA issue have a much LOWER success rate of long term fixes from baking vs 6000/7000 series Nvidia chips.

 

Of course.

Because the problem with 8*** series chips was not BGA-related to begin with, regardless of what many people believe.

We are talking about the defect within the chip itself. Baking re-establishes the working surface very temporarily.

 

Baking a T61 series board won't fix anything, all it will do is expand the materials and cause momentary conduction across a fractured circuit, but as that circuit heats up the resistance across the fracture will cause a repeat failure.

If it was a BGA problem and you got it hot enough to melt the lead balls, you could fix it, but that's not the problem on this series its fractures internal on the gpu chip caused by the bonded materials expanding and contracting at different rates over time causes them to fracture. If you want to prevent or prolong the life of your gpu, avoid unnecessary heat/cool cycles by not allowing the machine to go into standby and don't power it on/off more often than necessary. I'd also recommend keeping a clean cooling system with some good quality thermal paste.

 

I have a healthy T61p. The t61p had a bug which I hope you do not have. First things first...perhaps replacing/renewing the nvidia driver may help. You can try a new download at their site.

The bug is the very first thread in the forum.

Renee

 

My T61p is amazingly still rock solid.

 

Many of them still are. Including several of my own...:hi2: