Video Card Failure! Help Please!

I've had my T61 for for less than 2 years, and it had been working fine until recently when the video card suddenly failed. Now the system still boots but with random characters, colored lines and split screen. I checked using an external usb card, the LCD screen is NOT damaged, just the video card.

Do any of you guys know a way to fix this? My warranty ran out in 2008

Thanks

 

Not buying a warranty is an agreement to play with fire.
-Renee

P.S. - I am a girl.

 

Ok, we can tell by your name that you are a girl, and what are you trying to achieve by stating this??? More respect or something, because it isn't the early 1900s where girls are treated different. We all respect each other @ NBR. Dont mean to sound rude, but anyways welcome.

The OP stated that his warranty has run out, not that he didnt buy one, so my remedy would be to go to a local computer store, if available and see what price they are offering to fix it, usually requiring FULL Mobo exchange. If price is somewhat cheaper than what lenovo is offering and the guy seems reputable, then go ahead and buy a new one.

Please note that unless your laptop has MXM where vid card is removable and replaceable, then you will need full mobo change. Im not sure cost but estimating around 500USD, idk i have no idea actually. That is usually the outrageous price i would expect to hear from a company who found out your warranty ran out.

Hope you can get it fixed, or if all else fails, buy a new notebook. GL

 

Sounds like you may have a failing Nvidia GPU. It is a known issue but I don't think Lenovo extends warranty on laptops with this problem.

If you used a credit card to buy the ThinkPad, the card may give you an extended warranty that starts when the manufacturer's warranty runs out. Call the card company for more information and to initiate the claim process.

 

I'm better at software related problems, but does this mean that I can potentially replace the video card on my T61?

Thanks

 

no, you will have to do a motherboard swap.

I had the same issue, visa took care of it and I got a new t400 out of it.

try your CC company. if they can't help, keep complaining to lenovo and if you get nowhere, file a BBB complaint. There are a few threads about this, and I think another person got through via a BBB complaint but I'm not 100% sure.

try searching to see what happened to others with expired warranties.

edit: read this thread and see if contacting mark will help

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=350929

 

But first make sure that you have a discrete Nvidia card. If it is integrated Intel, you are SOL. Either way, you need a motherboard, but you can't whine to Lenovo about the 20 million faulty video cards that Nvidia shipped, if you don't have one to begin with.

 

I plan on buying another t61 off ebay, how easy would it be to replace the motherboard?

Are there any other guides on how to do it?

 

Depends on how many notebooks you have taken apart as to how easy it is. Generally, planar replacement is not for beginners. Basically, you take the base unit apart completely, and remove everything from the planar. Lenovo provides excellent illustrated Hardware Maintenance manuals for all their models, and the T61 manual can be found here:
http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles_pdf/42x3546_03.pdf

Each step in the disassembly is shown in order, and it can be done.

Cheers.

 

The Lenovo Service and Training Videos link in the sticky will show you how to do it. I don't find it too difficult, but I have some ability in these areas. I've had my R60 completely disassembled.

 

Well, I get the laptop in a week, so lets hope all goes well!

Thanks alot for the help!