Thinkpad T43 2686-M4U display problem

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nosaku · #1 Post by **nosaku** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:28 pm

Hi,

I have recently purchased a T43 (2686-M4U). The first machine I received was having a defective keyboard, so I exchanged it for one more new machine, which I received just 2 days back.

But with this new machine, I find some problem with the display. The factory setting is by default 1024x768 with 16-bit. (1024x768 is max resultion). But when I login to the Windows XP, and open the Internet Explorer (or Firefox) or any window, I see some that the window toolbar and menubar are, which is in some light gray color, is not painted properly. I see some red, green, pink patches.

I changed to 32-bit, but the patches are still there but little small this time. But I think 16-bit is good for battery perfomance. So I left it like that.

I am having a old T41 with Windows 2000, I do not have this problem at all.

I contacted the tech support, and downloaded the latest drivers, no luck. Reinstalled OS from the Rescue, no luck.

Any one has some idea on this? Is this really a problem with my machine or common with all XGA 16-bit stuff? Any help is greatly appreciated.

Here is an image I have took, with comments.

http://dharmala.focusindia.com/temp/poo ... mments.bmp

I am planning to return this machine back and get full refund. But I do not know whether I will get or not, as the 30-day period is over for the first machine. But for the new machine I received, it's still just 2-3 days.

My machine details are:
----------------------------
2686-M4U
XGA 1024x768, 16-bit and 32-bit
Pentium M 1.86
60GB 5200RPM
521MB RAM

Regards,
Satish.

Hanson · #2 Post by **Hanson** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:37 pm

My 2687-D8U also has that display issue for Internet Explorer, although I would not call it red, green, or pink patches - just light gray color.

I don't think it is a monitor problem though, because my desktop LCD also looks like that. I think it is a software issue.

nosaku · #3 Post by **nosaku** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:43 pm

In the default Windows XP Login screen, where it display the list of users to login. This is a light-blue screen, and to the left top corner, there is a white...moon like image...which slowly fades into the blue color.

Even this image is displayed, in ,y T43, with "circles" around it. A sort of gradient circles. (Pardon me, as I am not able to explain this phenomenon properly). But the same screen when I saw in my friends Sony VAIO, it looks so great...no patched display at all.

Am I having a defective LCD?

#4 Post by **GomJabbar** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:45 pm

It's probably your PowerPlay setting. Right click on an open area of the desktop and choose Properties > Settings > Advanced > Powerplay. Uncheck box for "Allow automatic color depth reduction." If you still have trouble, you can uncheck box to "Enable POWERPLAY[tm]." I am not sure, you may have to reboot for settings to take effect.

EDIT: BTW, leave your display set to 32-bit color as you had set it previously, for best appearance.

#5 Post by **Kyocera** » Sun Jan 08, 2006 11:54 pm

You might try downloading "QuickGamma" you can adjust the colors quite well with it. My T42 looked similar to yours also, but QG really brings out the depth of the colors, darker and richer.

nosaku · #6 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:03 am

I did not find the option "Allow automaic color depth reduction". But I disabled the Enable POWERPLAY[tm]. Even then I have the same problem.

Here is the screen shot of what of the login screen.

http://dharmala.focusindia.com/temp/login-screen.bmp

By the way, I will also try the QuickGamma software.

Is this a common problem. Why I am not seeing this problem in Windows 2000. By the way the Windows 2000 screens are quite different from Windows XP screens.

Hanson · #7 Post by **Hanson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:15 am

nosaku wrote:I did not find the option "Allow automaic color depth reduction". But I disabled the Enable POWERPLAY[tm]. Even then I have the same problem.

Here is the screen shot of what of the login screen.

http://dharmala.focusindia.com/temp/login-screen.bmp

By the way, I will also try the QuickGamma software.

Is this a common problem. Why I am not seeing this problem in Windows 2000. By the way the Windows 2000 screens are quite different from Windows XP screens.

Yep, looks exactly like my screen. If you want me to turn on my desktop computer now to see if it is the same, I don't mind.

nosaku · #8 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:31 am

Yes Please...please see if you too have the exact problem. Actually I wanted to know if this is really a "problem"? Or is it just my perception...

If a take a new laptop of the same model, if LENOVO is willing to exchange again for second time, will this problem comes again?

Also, I have installed QuickGamma, but it did not have much effect as such. Probably I need to do some more experiment, as this is a new software for me.

Hanson · #9 Post by **Hanson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:51 am

nosaku wrote:Yes Please...please see if you too have the exact problem. Actually I wanted to know if this is really a "problem"? Or is it just my perception...

If a take a new laptop of the same model, if LENOVO is willing to exchange again for second time, will this problem comes again?

Also, I have installed QuickGamma, but it did not have much effect as such. Probably I need to do some more experiment, as this is a new software for me.

Yep, it has the exact same thing. My LCD monitor is a BENQ FP731 just in case you were wondering. So definitely not a hardware problem and there is no chance any replacement unit will fix that problem.

mysbca · #10 Post by **mysbca** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:51 am

nosaku wrote:Even this image is displayed, in ,y T43, with "circles" around it. A sort of gradient circles. (Pardon me, as I am not able to explain this phenomenon properly). But the same screen when I saw in my friends Sony VAIO, it looks so great...no patched display at all.

I get these circles on my T43 and T23 (both SXGA+) if I set the color quality to 16 bit, but not if set to 32 bit.

nosaku · #11 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:17 am

Thanks for all the responses.

But again, I am confused. It means that I do not have a defective machine? If so, I am relieved to some extent.

If any one had these type of experience with Windows XP and T43 (or any T series) please keep posted.

Thank you!

Hanson · #12 Post by **Hanson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:19 am

mysbca wrote:
nosaku wrote:Even this image is displayed, in ,y T43, with "circles" around it. A sort of gradient circles. (Pardon me, as I am not able to explain this phenomenon properly). But the same screen when I saw in my friends Sony VAIO, it looks so great...no patched display at all.
I get these circles on my T43 and T23 (both SXGA+) if I set the color quality to 16 bit, but not if set to 32 bit.

The circles are there even at 32 bit, you just don't see it as easily.

#13 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:21 am

Since you didn't have both options in PowerPlay, your video driver may not be correctly installed. Uninstall your ATI display adapter driver, then download and install the driver again from the following page. Be sure and follow the installation instructions exactly.

Video driver (ATI Radeon 200M, X300, X600, FireGL V3200) for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R51e, R52 (1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1870), T43/p (26xx), Z60m

You also may want to get the monitor file if you don't have it.

Monitor File for Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP - ThinkPad General

nosaku · #14 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:25 am

Hanson wrote:
mysbca wrote: I get these circles on my T43 and T23 (both SXGA+) if I set the color quality to 16 bit, but not if set to 32 bit.
The circles are there even at 32 bit, you just don't see it as easily.

Yes I have seen in 32-bit also...you will see if you watch carefully, with the laptop screen adjusted to certain angle.

nosaku · #15 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:34 am

GomJabbar wrote:Since you didn't have both options in PowerPlay, your video driver may not be correctly installed. Uninstall your ATI display adapter driver, then download and install the driver again from the following page. Be sure and follow the installation instructions exactly.

Video driver (ATI Radeon 200M, X300, X600, FireGL V3200) for Windows 2000/XP - ThinkPad R51e, R52 (1846, 1847, 1848, 1849, 1850, 1870), T43/p (26xx), Z60m

You also may want to get the monitor file if you don't have it.

Monitor File for Windows 98, Me, 2000, XP - ThinkPad General

Actually I installed all the latest drivers/software using the IBM Software installer.

mysbca · #16 Post by **mysbca** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:48 am

nosaku wrote:Yes I have seen in 32-bit also...you will see if you watch carefully, with the laptop screen adjusted to certain angle.

True, just not as obvious as in your sample image with 16 bit color.

#17 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 1:53 am

I have an ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB in my T42. I have the button that I can check and uncheck for "Allow automatic color depth reduction" in PowerPlay. I would be very surprised if your newer T43 with the ATI Radeon X300 with 64MB does not have this feature. If it does not show up, then that tells me that likely the driver did not install properly last time - even if Software Installer installed it.

I believe the problem you are having is that PowerPlay is reducing the color depth, which will result in what you are seeing.

I suppose it is remotely possible that one of the other power management drivers is causing this problem.

nosaku · #18 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 2:10 am

GomJabbar wrote:I have an ATI Radeon 9000 with 64MB in my T42. I have the button that I can check and uncheck for "Allow automatic color depth reduction" in PowerPlay. I would be very surprised if your newer T43 with the ATI Radeon X300 with 64MB does not have this feature. If it does not show up, then that tells me that likely the driver did not install properly last time - even if Software Installer installed it.

I believe the problem you are having is that PowerPlay is reducing the color depth, which will result in what you are seeing.

I suppose it is remotely possible that one of the other power management drivers is causing this problem.

I have reinstalled the driver (by removing the X300 adapter completely). I do see this option at all. I see only "Enable POWERPLAY". When I click on it I get some options like performance with power-plug connected, when batter is full etc. I think this the upgraded version or so? Because I see the the options you mentioned in my T41 with ATI RADEON 7500.

#19 Post by **GomJabbar** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 6:30 am

Someone else with an ATI Radeon X300 will have to confirm.

Hanson · #20 Post by **Hanson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 12:16 pm

GomJabbar wrote:Someone else with an ATI Radeon X300 will have to confirm.

That is me. And yes, I confirm there is no such option.

nosaku · #21 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 7:13 pm

Hi all,

I am planning to return the machine. Is it adivsable? I am really having a problem here? Or is it just my silly doubt that I got a defective machine.

If I hook up my laptop to some external monitor (not LCD), will I still see this type of display problems? I do not have any external monitor now, let me see if I can catch hold of any CRT monitor and check....

Please suggest...

Regards,
Satish.

Hanson · #22 Post by **Hanson** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 10:49 pm

nosaku wrote:Hi all,

I am planning to return the machine. Is it adivsable? I am really having a problem here? Or is it just my silly doubt that I got a defective machine.

If I hook up my laptop to some external monitor (not LCD), will I still see this type of display problems? I do not have any external monitor now, let me see if I can catch hold of any CRT monitor and check....

Please suggest...

Regards,
Satish.

I suggest you check if the problem occurs on a desktop monitor, whether at work or at your friends house. I'm confident you'll see the same thing.

And personally, I don't see how this barely noticeable "display" issue should justify a return - even the replacement will have this issue. If it is a dead pixel (even one), I would definitely return it. Just go to "system properties", advanced tab, and uncheck "use visual styles on windows and buttons", and you won't see that gray patch.

nosaku · #23 Post by **nosaku** » Mon Jan 09, 2006 11:11 pm

Hanson wrote:I suggest you check if the problem occurs on a desktop monitor, whether at work or at your friends house. I'm confident you'll see the same thing.

And personally, I don't see how this barely noticeable "display" issue should justify a return - even the replacement will have this issue. If it is a dead pixel (even one), I would definitely return it. Just go to "system properties", advanced tab, and uncheck "use visual styles on windows and buttons", and you won't see that gray patch.

Yeah...just now I have hooked to a CRT Compaq monitor at friends home, and I see the same "circle" effect on the monitor. Does this mean that this is not the problem of LCD, but the graphics driver? Or just it is fine?

And I too don't think that I would return just because of graphics clarity. I was just anxious and wanted to know if I am having a perfect IBM Thinkpad.

nosaku · #24 Post by **nosaku** » Wed Jan 11, 2006 6:06 pm

OK...somehow I was not much satisfied with my T43, may be because of display issue or other. So I have returned it today.

Now I am planning to purchase the T42 from Lenovo site. I have changed my minde because of the following reasons:

1. I have seen the reviews of T43 fan issue. Also I am using T41 which is more cooler than the T43.
2. The T42 model, 2379RHU, is coming with a 3-year warranty and is in stock with Lenovo. Since I am going back to my country, India, I would like to have it quickly and with more warranty.
3. T42 does not get warm enough as that of T43?
4. The model, 2379RHU, says it has 24-color (ATI Radeon 9600). Does this mean it has only 16-bit and 24-bit resolutions possible? No 32-bit?

Please suggest me if I am right in my choice.

bigskydream · #25 Post by **bigskydream** » Fri Jan 27, 2006 1:25 pm

I just received a new T42 (2379RHU) and am having this same problem. I changed the setting to 32 bit and it goes away. How big of a battery hit will I experience with 32 bit color vs. 16 bit color?

btw, i am really dissapointed in the lcd quality on TXs! I orders 4 TXs and 3 had dead pixels and this one has this color problem.

serpico · #26 Post by **serpico** » Sat Apr 01, 2006 1:28 pm

I have a T60 with ATI Radeon X1400. I have the same color issue, which goes away (judged by my not-too-discriminating eye) when I switch to 32-bit color.

IMHO, returning your laptop and getting another identical model because of this is a waste of your time and an abuse of Lenovo's excellent return policy. I returned my first T60 because it had too many stuck pixels, and the second T60 also has the same coloring issue. I hardly think this is a big deal and is pretty much resolved by switching to 32-bit color.

rosemarycane · #27 Post by **rosemarycane** » Fri Apr 07, 2006 2:44 pm

Hey, I have a t43 and was noticing the same thing. As soon as I changed to 32bit, I can no longer see the difference. Not an issue for me anyway. I would rather have this than stuck/dead pixels.

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Thinkpad T43 2686-M4U display problem

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