T61p has broken down for the 3th time, what now?

Hi guys,

With the help of this forum I bought a t61p almost 3 years ago. I like the laptop very much, but it has gone dead on me for the 3th time now. Luckily I still have 80 days of warranty left.

But what should I do? I can send it in for repair again. Probably the GPU RAM is bad so the repair will again be without costs, but I feel like it will break again in like 6 months and than there is no warranty anymore.

So I actually want a replacement, but what model should I then ask for that has more or less same specs, but is durable?

Cheers!

P.S. I handle the laptop with care. Everytime it broke down it was a known lenovo manufacturing problem!

 

I doubt that Lenovo will send you a replacement system for a 3 year old machine. Send it for service now, and get a warranty extension if you're concerned about the future.

 

You would only get a replacement laptop if the problem occurs within a short space of time, and that the depots are not able to repair it satisfactory consecutively or there are no parts.

I don't think you fall under these conditions, so it is unlikely you would get a replacement machine.

Replacement machines are not given out easily, i have seen couple of cases. But most of these replacement machine came as result of running out of parts to fix the machine under warranty. Or that the waiting time on parts to be delivered is too long for the business customer.

 

Oke I call them for repairs. One quick question though: Is the t61p simply put a poor buy since it will break down soon anyway? ie are there people with t61p that do last?

Edit: And so I called them and I will get a regular repair. Still am very afraid that after a while a part will break down again - because it overheats so much - and then the warrenty has expired. So much for a "long lasting" laptop... I have lost my confidence in it already.

 

AFAIK all repair carries a 3 month warranty.

T61p Nvidia GPU is the weakest link in the whole laptop design. If you are afraid that it is going to break down again, just sell it after you get it repaired.

 

^^ Yes, that's what I'd do.
You could also try replacing the thermal pads on the GPU memory chips with a better ones on the new machine and monitor the temps constantly to prevent the damage done by overheating.

 

Ah, thank you both. Those are very nice suggestions I did not think of!

I will certainly do one of those things if the problems persist. Though at the moment I plan on giving it another chance after it returns. The lady at lenovo consumer services said they would do a complete check of the laptop.

Another question that just popped up: When sending it to lenovo, I normally take the hdd out and when it returns I put it back in. This seems to work flawlessly, but is it advisable to reinstall the software? Hardware is replaced, but on the other hand stayed the same.

 

the hardware on the motherboard should be the same in relation to driver compatibility, you shouldn't have any problem with needing different drivers.

 

hi stevenbrouwer --


i was wondering what you are doing on your computer that is killing the GPU? i am aware of the nvidia gpu issue, and hope i do not experience the problem.

i have a t61p that is approaching the 3 year old mark and i have been fortunate that it has not given me any problems. my laptop is my main computer, but i do not do any gaming or other graphics intensive work on it.


thanks,

t

 

@doofus, the free repair for the GPU issues end on 30th July this year. If you want to keep your T61p, i highly recommend that you get the extra Thinkplus warranty.

 

Well most of the time is simple surfing and programma's like word and winamp. I barely game or watch video, but it's on many hours aday since often I am not the only one using it. I just heat up incredibly fast. While typing this it's 69 celcius and that is tpfancontrol on 7...

I am giving it no reason to break down so often. I am so unhappy and extra year of warrant will cost me 200$ that just so much, but I don't think there is a better/cheaper alternative..

 

Sounds to me like you don't trust the system.
In that case I would do what the others have recommended (fix the laptop under warranty, then sell it, then buy what you want).
However, if that was me, I'd just send it to Lenovo under warranty, have them fix it, then use it until it dies

 

Well, what did you guys do, that you still have faith in a long lasting t61p? Maybe I should change the gpu driver? I am still using the only driver that lenovo released for t61p for windows 7 64bit from october 09. Generic drivers from the nVidia site were not allowed to install a while back though...

 

Hi,
I just reponded to another similar thread here (perhaps you read it) explaining my T61p situation.
I'm just wondering why you bought the T61p in the first place. If all you are doing is surfing, office apps, etc. and not stressing the GPU you would have been better off with integrated graphics and saved money too.
I'm dual booting and running linux 95% of the time and using the proprietary NVidia driver for linux and it works great. Right now typing this my GPU temp is 57C. On Vista it idles at 57C and goes to 87C when gaming. The temps have been the pretty much the same since it was new (over 2 years ago) and I don't even run tpfancontrol. So overheating for me has not been a problem. HOWEVER, it still pisses me off that it could fail any day since it has been such a GREAT computer in all other respects. Shame on NVIDIA for lousy engineering/testing!!

 

Unfortunately changing the GPU driver will probably do little as it is a hardware defect on the GPU itself (the soldering material), not a software issue. So you could be running the latest driver and still have the probability of GPU failure.

Based on your usage, since you don't game much (though the Quadro chip is not really optimised for this) you probably would be better off having the Integrated Graphics version of the T61 as it runs cooler and doesn't have the defective issues that plagued the T61p models (my CPU running at 41 degrees [Core Temps 32c/32c] according to Everest on my T61).

If you insist on keeping your T61p, once the warranty expires you can try to put aftermarket thermal paste to see if that can cool the GPU off a few more degrees than standard. But If you don't trust the T61p then I would follow what some people say and sell the laptop off once it has been repaired. Standard T61's are relatively quite cheap on the 2nd hand market so it shouldn't be too difficult to buy using the money recouped from your T61p.

 

i sold mine T61p due to the nvidia saga, non-user related hardware failures are the last thing i want my Thinkpad to do.

If you need more graphics card performance get a DIY Vidock.

 

In reply to the last comments:

I actually used it a lot to game back in the days. Haven't played any games on it the last year or so but I have bought starcraft 2 already so I'll be playing on it again!

Maybe if I can get a good price for it I will sell, but I live in the Netherlands so I don't expect to find a buyer willing to pay the sending costs. On top of that I wouldn't know a laptop that can replace my t61p.

So mostly likely I will carry on with the model, until it breaks down..

By installing different gpu driver I meant it as a possible way to keep the temperature down, when it's coming back after it's repaired. Most of the overheating problems started when I changed to windows 7 from xp. For windows 7 there is only 1 possible gpu driver approved by lenovo.

And not really a fan of the vidock concept. For that money I can buy a secondhand desktop and add a videocard. I might actually do that...

 

I may be unique, but I used my T61P for CAD, CAM, video editing, and graphics work, as well as all the basic word processing, browsing, and publications. I wrote my dissertation on that laptop, now that was fun, NOT! One man's experience, I have not had any graphics problems in my nearly 4 years of ownership. My advice is to have it fixed under warranty, and use it until it's out of warranty and breaks. It can easily handle what you are throwing at it for the time being. Selling it at this point doesn't make any sense to me... to get pennies on the dollar... I would just use it until I couldn't and then I would buy a new one.

 

I have my GPU at 39c normal I use Tpfancontrol, manual fan speed 2, rivatuner GPU speed 140, memory 280, shader 460. RMclock undervolt, T9300 at .95v all speeds. The reason I set rivatuner at such low speeds is that I never play games. Also it's good to underclock the cpu because the cpu and gpu share the same heatsink/fan assembly. Good luck.

 

>> So I actually want a replacement, but what model should I then ask for that has more or less same specs, but is durable?

I am not sure that you will fiond anything more durable. There seem to be more heat problems in the latest generation equiv. of your T61p, and others also. See my latest response to sandy-bridge-roadmap-questions:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/500606-lenovo-sandy-bridge-roadmap-questions-4.html

- avi

 

Don't you guys feel guilty selling a laptop you think will break?

 

Well if you are selling them with warranty and priced accordingly, then no.

 

>> Well if you are selling them with warranty and priced accordingly, then no.

You mean its enough that "priced accordingly" honestly indicates its breaking down every so often? So the seller doesn't actually have to tell the would-be buyer that it breaks down every so often. I am wondering if I would in such a situation...

Actually, I am wondering what the difference is. Nowadays, even new laptops break down "every so often". So what's the difference between new and old...?

(State of the modern world: Hi Speed, Hi Volume, Hi Shine, No reliability...)

 

It all comes down to the end buyer, the Nvidia GPU defect was big news that affected a lot of manufacturers at the time, not just Lenovo. Like lead_org said most (and I say most, not all) owners of these laptops tend to price accordingly because of this issue. So you can purchase these laptops (not just the T61p but others like Dell XPS) at relatively low prices but it's up to the buyer whether they wish to risk investing in these laptops. Most new buyers nowadays would just buy a brand new laptop that doesn't contain these issues.

My uncle has a 2nd hand R61 with the defective Quadro 140m in question but it runs fine at the moment. Having these laptops doesn't mean it will just break stone dead, you may find that they can be serviceable for many years without a problem. It's the luck of the draw really.

 

if the laptop have a history of breaking down, then i think you should sell the laptop parts or as a buyer beware half functioning laptop.

T61p and T61 with Nvidia GPU have higher rate of failure, it doesn't mean it will definitely fail due to the GPU problem within a known space of time. It is a future liability.

After all, you can get post warranty on your machines for around 200 USD, even if the laptop did suffer a gpu problem.

 

Ah, that might help. I already use a costum lenovo performance profile (under the f3 button) to downgrade the performance when it's not needed. I assume it's more or less the same thing.

Also I am undecided in whether I will sell or not. If it will work for years after repair, I will regret selling and when breaking down after selling it might backfire on me another way. Out of intrest only: What would you guys pay for my t61p?

I actually have good faith that the gpu after all those years of failure reached a state where reliable revisions are produced.

The questions is more will I invest in extented warranty or not...

 

Reviving an old thread to pay condolences to my dead T61p. After 3 yrs and 4.5 months of faithful service the computer succumbed to the NVIDIA disease that has plagued so many. Fortunately, I had/have a 4 year on-site warranty and the unit will be reincarnated.

I've moved on to the greener pastures occupied by the W510, but the family still uses the T61p for various tasks. I hope the repaired unit lasts equally as long as the first, I must say that I already feel as though I got my monies worth...

 

How do you like your new W510 compared to your old T61p ? Is it noticeably faster ? Cooler ? etc,

 

I have ordered such a warranty and paid for it BUT it is as if Lenovo has completlely forgotten that such an order was made. I do have photostats of the order.

Renee

 

Faster at most things, certainly CPU and I/O.

Absolutely cooler, from a thermal and cool factor perspective.

16GB of RAM isn't bad either.

 

The one other thing I noted coming from the T61p is increased weight and girth. Not that it's drastic bit it is there. The screen is brighter and seemingly easier to stare at for hours on end, . Beyond that I agree with halobox. Note: I don't have any accessories that use esata or a display port cable, but these are two major upgrades from the T61pas well. Oh, and USB 3.0 and express card slot. I think that's it... If I think of something else I'll return.

EDIT: I guess that was more than one thing, LOL.

 

Id just keep it till it dies all the way, get it repaired first of course. Why make your decision someones else's problem. Of course I guess that can be construde as bias but I have an older alienware that Id never sell to anyone cause of how it is. I mean it works just fine but after owning it for 5 years, Id never sell it cause I know it woudln't make anyone happy that would buy it. Its way to much hassle especially for somone thats never used one or a first time buyer. It would be like giving a nurse architect blue prints or a 3 year old child books/magazines.

 

@aadadams ..... I'm a new member here and I don't see a way to PM you about one of your older posts on a closed thread found here:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/lenovo-ibm/153534-can-you-buy-t61-widescreen-570m-2.html

When I was also ordering back in 2007 via my educational portal, I do in fact recall the T61 upgrade to an FX570M was available (as you demonstrated in that older thread) ..... but can not remember if choosing that option also forced one to also choose only the 1900x1200 WUXGA screen?

Do you, by chance, still recall whether you could have had the FX570M option on that T61, but with only the 1680x1050 WSXGA+ screen?

Thanks very much .... RRod
___________________________________

T61p - 15.4" WS T9300 2.5Ghz, Aug2008 Build (1st month of the factory built Nvidia "fixed" units) 4GB RAM, Seagate 500GB FDE 7200RPM HD, Nvidia FX570M 256MB; Warranty to Aug 2012, Docked 100% of the time w/ external monitor, KB and mouse ||| T61 - 15.4 T7500 Nvidia NVS140M, July 2007 Build, Warranty to August 2011 (a spare for the T61p) ||| T42 - 15" Flexview, 1.8GHz, 80GB HD, ATI 9600

 

I don't recall.

 

My t61p is the quadro fx 570m with the wsxga+ screen.

 

My T61P has also died. 3 years and 6 months old. I'm gutted as it cost around $2K when I got it. Of course it's now out of warranty......

 

How long did you expect your T61P to last? I'd say that you may have already got your money's worth. But yes, it is somewhat disconcerting when a trusted machine stops working.

Personally, I would not expect my laptops to last more than 24 months. At the two-yr mark, I assume that my investment has broken even and everyday beyond the 2-yr mark is gravy for me. But then again, YMMV.

 

I would expect it to last a lot longer than 24 months! Especially spending $2k on one! If I had known it would last for such a short amount of time I would never have invested in it. At the time it was supposed to be a powerful monster built with Lenovo's 'famed reliability'. What a load of BS.

 

Regarding the lifespan of any laptop from any mfg, it all boils down to how it's used.

With total operating hours being equal, a docked and stationary unit should last longer than a highly mobile unit constantly being throttled by power-management software (for preserving battery charge).

3 to 4 years is a good number for highly mobile units ...... 6 to 7 years for a stationary desktop replacement (but at 6 or 7 years your unit may be a technological antique by then).

 

Now that I would agree with! My T61P was not at all mobile, mostly at home literally on my lap....

If I had any expectations that the laptop would last 2 or 3 years I would never have spent that cash on it. I would've gone for a much lower spec as I really can't be bothered averaging a $600/year spend on a laptop.

 

ThinkPads with integrated graphics last the longest.

 

Sad thing is I am so used to the red dot in the keyboard I can't go for another make (I hate trackpads)!!

I'll call Lenovo here tomorrow and see if I can get any joy... I'm not hopeful.

I've also found out the serial number sticker on the bottom of my T61p has partially come off. I can't find my S/N.. GREAT..!

 

LASpurs, your serial tag should also be recorded on the BIOS should the original label becomes unreadable.

 

I expect any machine to work at least 4, or even 5 years...

T43 with integrated graphic can die due to chipset problem...

 

Thanks, sadly can't seen the BIOS as the Graphics Card has died....

 

If the hard drive still works the serial number should be in the windows registry somewhere.

 

Might be worth a shot for a few bucks:

HP DV2000 DV6000 DV9000 TX1000 Laptop No Video REPAIR - eBay (item 260674058980 end time May-04-11 06:32:21 PDT)

I called them and they claim to have successfully worked on several hundred T61/T61p units with graphics card failures.