Video just broke, I think. Lots of artifacts...

[mainadungo]

Ok, so I just bought a T40 last week. It was working fine for days, then all of a sudden, the video started having red vertical lines through any Windows animations. (Like the copy file animation, etc.) It also has a few white vertical lines right at the startup IBM logo screen. Then, when I try to play WoW, or any 3D, there are triangles of flashing light, and hundreds of flashing rough-edged artifacts all over the screen.

I have verified that all my drivers and directx are all up to date.

Would you say that this is a trashed video card/chip? Or a trashed MB? I'm so lost, I don't know where to go. Thanks,

-T

[ronbo613]

Since you've got nothing to lose and it doesn't cost anything, uninstall your display driver, use DriverCleaner to clean up any fragments and reload your display drivers. If it's a corrupted driver, which is not unheard of, you'll be back in business. If it doesn't solve your issues, then you can start looking at your hardware.

[Talon88]

:::

You've got your T40 last week, So I guess it's used.
I think you better format it & do it from ground zero!

:::

[The Spirit of X21]

Try reloading the video drivers as ronbo613 mentioned. If that doesn't work, try reformating and reinstalling as Talon88 suggests. If that is unsuccessful, chances are pretty good that you need a new motherboard. This is not an uncommon issue with T4x series ThinkPads. It is generally believed that excessive holding of the machine with one hand at the palm rest causes this.

[Talon88]

:::

Yup, I should said, Try ronbo613's way to reinstall
the driver. Even it's work, Still format it to get away
the old user hidden rubbish & error. This give yourself
a flash system!

:::

[mainadungo]

Thanks for all the responses. I thought the same thing all of you said, so I tried the drivers, and then I reinstalled XP. Same.

And like I said, it even has the problems on the POST screen, before Windows and the drivers are even being used, so I assume it they aren't to blame. That pretty much leaves hardware, huh?

Is there any way to replace just the video card? Or do I need to replace the whole motherboard?

If it's the motherboard, does anyone want to buy this from me? I'll give you the deal of the century....

(And to all of you "proper forum" Natzi's, I'll actually post it for sale in the proper forum, so don't get mad at me) =)

[Terrahawk]

I might be interested

[JaneL]

(And to all of you "proper forum" Natzi's, I'll actually post it for sale in the proper forum, so don't get mad at me) =)

That's not amusing. Back it down a notch.

[BillMorrow]

it seems to me that the person you got it from knew, or should have known, that it had a problem..
you might try getting your $$ back..
failing that, look around for a replacement system board..
for a T40 they should not be too costly..
otherwise, someone here would probably be happy to take it off your hands for parts or to repair and use..

one thing more, your email is bouncing..
how do i know this? you got a PM and the email bounced to me..