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    Thinkpad SL300 - Artifacts on desktop, is this a hardware GPU problem? (With pics and vid)

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by JaeZTT, Jul 19, 2012.

  1. JaeZTT

    JaeZTT Notebook Consultant

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    [​IMG]

    Is this the GPU on its way out? This is my sister's laptop, so I can't diagnose it personally, but that's what it seems like. She said someone already reformatted it for her. Also, sometimes the computer will completely freeze and make this noise.

    Thinkpad SL300 GPU gone? - YouTube

    To me, it certainly seems like a GPU issue that won't be worth trying to fix.

    Thanks.
     
    JaeZTT, Jul 19, 2012
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  2. esotericdesignstudio

    esotericdesignstudio Notebook Enthusiast NBR Reviewer

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    It looks like it is.
    it matches the classic symptoms. Mosaic pixelation, colour striation, and freezing up.

    Just a few questions though:

    1. What is the GPU make?

    2. I presume that is a fan making the noise in the video? That is a common indicator of it failing.

    3. Are there any graphic intensive tasks done on this computer?
     
    esotericdesignstudio, Jul 20, 2012
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  3. JaeZTT

    JaeZTT Notebook Consultant

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    IIRC, it is the Nvidia 9300m.

    I don't think that noise is from the fan but from the speakers. I've actually had similar issues when running demanding games on my old desktop and everything just freezes.

    There is really nothing intensive done on this comp. Web browsing and watching movies, with some MS Office thrown into the works.
     
    JaeZTT, Jul 20, 2012
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  4. hp79

    hp79 Notebook Evangelist

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    I had that happen to me on a desktop computer with fanless AMD Radeon 5450. Half the times it would boot up fine, but the other half the graphics were all scrambled like your picture. I replaced the graphics card and problem was solved. Too bad yours happened on a laptop.
     
    hp79, Jul 20, 2012
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