Vista/XP freezing up, but Linux isn't

Hi,

I just got a T400, and the preinstalled copy of Vista started freezing up right from the beginning. Soon after, I got a BSOD, then after a few more crashes, Vista started BSODing on every boot. I didn't even install anything---all I did was attempt to make the recovery media.

So I then attempted to install XP, which I managed to get working. However, it kept freezing up at random intervals and hanging on a black screen during boot. I had some problems with installing Lenovo' ATI driver, so I downloaded the driver directly from ATI, used the Mobility Modder to get it to work, and installed it. Now XP never hangs on a black screen on boot, but it usually does freeze up within a few minutes after bootup.

Now the strange thing is that I booted the Kubuntu 8.10 Live CD, and I had no problems whatsoever, so I don't think it's a hardware issue. Any ideas?

Finally, if I return it now, will they just ship me a new one?

Thanks!

 

Well, it sounds like some kind of hardware that the Windows drivers are having problems with. Hmmm. I assume that Safe Mode doesn't freeze up?

 

I'll give that shot, but now the Kubuntu 8.10 Live CD is failing to boot into the graphical environment and is just going the command line. Is this probably a hardware problem?

 

Yes, that sounds like it's definitely a hardware problem. I'd guess your graphics card, but you could try running Memtest86 to see if it's your memory.

 

Is there some test for the graphics card?

Edit: Memtest86 just causes the system to reboot right after showing its configuration page.

 

Hmmm. Yes, I'd try sending it in for a return/repair. This page might be helpful.

 

OK, thanks!

Does Lenovo have online support chat by any chance?