Video Cards for T42p - Solectron messed up!

[andyli]

Hi All -

I have a 2373-HVU. I had to send my system out for a loose ethernet port, and they apparently replaced my motherboard.

According to the specs on IBM's/Lenovo's page, it should have:
128MB ATI FireGL T2

It appears that Solectron replaced it with what Windows XP is reporting "ATI Mobility Radeon 7500".

My fault, but I never paid great attention to the display adaptor type in the display, and now I can't get 1600x1200 pixels on my external display. Before I raise a huge fuss with IBM support - I wanted to make sure - THESE GRAPHIC CARDS ARE DIFFERENT, right?

When they first returned it, the hard drive bay was not aligned (I had to snap it back into place again), screws were almost 100% stripped on the back of the system and now I think they put the wrong motherboard or graphics cards in the system. Unbelieveable. Does anyone know if IBM is still helping people out with Solectron problems?

[K. Eng]

I wanted to make sure - THESE GRAPHIC CARDS ARE DIFFERENT, right?

ABSOLUTELY!!!

The Radeon 7500 is based on the original Radeon, while the FireGL T2 is in the same family as the Radeon 9600. The video chip you got with your repaired system is significantly less powerful than the T2.

The depot messed up. Call up IBM service again.

[andyli]

Thanks, I thought it was rather strange that my desktop monitor began scrolling after I booted it back up.

I've opened up an ESC+ Service Ticket, and tomorrow when they call me I will have them redispatch a box for me.

The unit has been quite good to me thus far (I was a student for the first two years I owned it and it took a LOT of beating), but I've noticed that EZServ service has declined quite a bit. It seems that their priority is to return the unit the same day they get it, not to make sure they fix the problem.

At least I was smart enough to remove the extra RAM, CD-ROM drive and Hard Drive. Who knows what would have happened to them...

[revolutionary_one]

I've made a post highlighting some initiatives I think we should undertake to elucidate some of the problems that have come about as a result of Solectron Outsourcing and the decline of IBM service in general.


http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... 421#248421

If you agree, I'd be obliged if you took the time to PM or email an admin with a quick request mentioned in the post.

[JaneL]

If you agree, I'd be obliged if you took the time to PM or email an admin with a quick request mentioned in the post.

Don't be filling up our inboxes. We read the board.

[jeffbl]

Exact same thing happened to me. IBM recommended I take my T42p to a local authorized repair place (local computer shop) to have it repaired. They gave me the machine back and it had the 7500 rather than the T2. The shop refused to acknowledge there was a problem and kept insisting they couldn't have made a mistake. They absolutely refused to investigate the problem or contact IBM. Horrible experience. Don't ever go to Dupont Computers in Washington, DC.

Fortunately, the folks at IBM immediately understood there was a problem and verified that I had the completely wrong video chip. They overnighted a box and I sent it back to Solectron. The machine was returned with the SAME WRONG VIDEO CHIP. In the end, I had to use the contact the CEO form to get it resolved. The manager at Solectron had to pull my machine to make sure it was replaced with the correct part. In the end, I have a working T42p with the T2 video, but it was a horrible experience that consumed a great deal of time.

There is not much love between the IBM phone folks and Solectron - the people I talked to at IBM were very helpful and quickly understood exactly what was wrong, but had zero confidence in Solectron - called them "idiots" repeatedly, and said that I'd probably be better off if they just sent me a new board and I replaced it myself. Didn't do that since it would void the warranty, but I was tempted. I paid a premium for IBM service and reliability, and have been pretty disappointed - I don't know that my next machine will be a Thinkpad.

I have another T42 that is out of warranty, and seems to have the same general problem that my T42p had - most likely caused by the video chip coming unseated from the board. Not loving the quality on these...