Bought a T41- USB 2.0/1.1 and Video Flicker Problems

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RoxyRose · #1 Post by **RoxyRose** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:12 pm

Hi,

I just bought a T41 off of ebay. Excellent cosmetic condition, but have been having problems from day one. First, I have been having the USB 2.0 throttling to 1.1 with high powered devices problem- to the point that the usb drive will stop working entirely. Devices that worked perfectly on other systems. I am also having weird video distortion when I play ANY game at all.

It is still under warranty but I am tempted to send it back to the seller. OR I am at least hoping for a partial refund for the hassle of sending it in for repairs. I heard that alot of the boards for the T series have the same usb problem. Do you think they might give me another board or system instead of replacing it? Is there some way to test what's causing the video corruption? (I've already installed the newest drivers, uninstalled, then reinstalled.) Even with the directx tests, I have the exact same distortion. Thanks for your help

Model 2373-5U2

***UPDATE***
Thanks to gator I have at least found the solution to the video distortion/flicker. It did seem software related and sure enough it was!
"For your flicker problem, try this: Install the latest IBM drivers , Right Click on your desktop--> go to ATI catalyst control center-->powerplay-->UNCHECK "allow refresh rate reduction".:

Thanks again gator!

Stevesoura · #2 Post by **Stevesoura** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:22 pm

You better ask him if there is some kind of return. Ask him if he knew about it and was trying to hide it from the auction description. I would try to get some type of partial refund and then send it to lenovo.

RoxyRose · #3 Post by **RoxyRose** » Fri May 25, 2007 11:29 pm

He might have not known. He put a new windows install when it was sent. Honestly, if you only use a usb mouse and loading word etc to test the system, you would never see this problem. I think he got it from a large set of business machines and wouldn't know personally whats wrong because he'd never install a game on the system. When I told him about the USB problem he quickly said update the BIOS so he seems knowledgeable. But the BIOS is the newest. I've owned soooo many Thinkpads, I've tried everything to fix these problems except installing omega or catalyst drivers. But I shouldn't needed modded drivers for the video to work correctly.

mitchellst · #4 Post by **mitchellst** » Sat May 26, 2007 7:18 am

You need a new motherboard.

If you bought a used T41, don't expect lenovo to replace your system. It's an unfair expectation.

I can repair that for you same day under warranty if you want. You would have to pay shipping both ways though.

jkahng · #5 Post by **jkahng** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:04 am

if it's still under warranty, i don't see why lenovo wouldn't service it. to my understanding, the warranty follows the thinkpad not the owner...

mitchellst · #6 Post by **mitchellst** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:07 am

That's what I was offering. I just don't get compensated for shipping by lenovo.

jkahng · #7 Post by **jkahng** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:18 am

oh, ok,
but why would you offer these services? are you the seller?
i don't mean to bump in on other people's business but it does seem odd to me.

RoxyRose · #8 Post by **RoxyRose** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:33 am

There are tons of threads about how the warranty follows the Thinkpad, not the owner... saying it is unfair for Lenovo to cover a used system is ridiculous seeing that Lenovo has been doing it for *almost everyone*. I wouldn't be the first. I am a little obsessive compulsive and practically have this forum memorized. jkahng is right, what you are proposing is odd and certainly unnecessary.

mitchellst · #9 Post by **mitchellst** » Sat May 26, 2007 8:56 am

You both are misunderstanding... read a little closer.

"I can repair that for you same day UNDER WARRANTY if you want."

All I said was don't expect them to replace your system. Don't expect an upgrade becuase you're unhappy with the used one you bought.

jkahng · #10 Post by **jkahng** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:04 am

mitchellst,
you need to clarify your position for people not familar with you. (i did ask if you were the seller)

it seems that you own a shop with affiliations w/ lenovo. and you were offering a speedy warranty service of the bad motherboard.

i guess Rosanna would have to be the judge of how she wants to proceed.

mitchellst · #11 Post by **mitchellst** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:20 am

I'm not the seller. I just work for an authorized service center.

Maybe I should've been more clear.

jkahng · #12 Post by **jkahng** » Sat May 26, 2007 9:31 am

no harm done

i wish we had service center people offer service this readily in korea...

RoxyRose · #13 Post by **RoxyRose** » Sun May 27, 2007 8:16 pm

mitchellst wrote:You both are misunderstanding... read a little closer.

"I can repair that for you same day UNDER WARRANTY if you want."

All I said was don't expect them to replace your system. Don't expect an upgrade becuase you're unhappy with the used one you bought.

I appreciate your offer, but you must admit you are coming across a bit sharp tongued. The forums are filled with people buying used systems and paying a premium for those with warranties. There are also several threads making it clear this usb problem is prevalent in these systems. This system is in suberb cosmetic condition..the person who had it before took very good care of it. Why be hostile toward me because I want IBM/Lenovo to honor the warranty that came with the system? I am unhappy with the used one I bought because it has a flaw that is well documented and directly related to bad workmanship on their part. I really think it is unreasonable for you to be so pro-Lenovo in this situation. I am not a noob and I don't like being treated that way.

mitchellst · #14 Post by **mitchellst** » Sun May 27, 2007 9:17 pm

Sorry... I retract my offer.

I'm not pro-lenovo so much, I just know it's a 30 min fix... I don't think they'll give you an upgrade unless it's a relatively new machine. Far be it from me to speak for Lenovo. Feel free to try.

RoxyRose · #15 Post by **RoxyRose** » Sun May 27, 2007 11:47 pm

I was honestly just wondering if they might possibly do it based on the threads of other people.

See:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=40475
Post by Pennstate For example

It was a curiousity sort of question. I wasn't trying to imply that Lenovo owes me a new system. I've owned so many IBM systems and I am not used to a system treated so well having so many problems...there I see Lenovo owes me a warranty repair. But in all honesty, the seller promised a great system. If I wanted a fixer upper...I would have bought it priced accordingly. I'm thinking I should have just bought from a forum member.

coreman · #16 Post by **coreman** » Mon May 28, 2007 12:10 am

My .02 (having lived with the USB problem for 8 months) is to pay the shipping (can't be a lot) and get a new motherboard. The USB 2 problem is one that can really annoy, especially when trying to do HDD backup...and the only other solution is to buy a USB2 PCMCIA card which will cost nearly the same as shipping.

Considering the otherwise excellent condition of the machine, it is small money to pay to get both problems resolved.

Personally I see no difference in using a Mfg warranty on a machine I bought new versus using the warranty on a machine I bought used...either way I have a problem that needs fixing and I have to pay the shipping.

IBM/Lenovo certainly didn't sell me the machine thinking it would have to pay (1) year later to replace my motherboard so...

I don't think the seller sold you anything other than what he thought he was selling...and you got a warranty with it, so now is a good time to use it...

EDIT: Mitchellst's offer was actually a helpful one...quick warranty turnaround but you pay shipping both ways and I thought he worded it quite nicely...nothing "sharp tongued" at all.

After all it is a used machine, with a warranty, and the described faults are not ones that would be picked up during a normal shipping test.

RoxyRose · #17 Post by **RoxyRose** » Mon May 28, 2007 2:22 am

Well, I appreciate your two cents, but I saw it as a member I don't know telling me that I have unfair expectations, when I had none....I was just asking a question. Second of all, I was reading very closely (even though he felt both me and the other member werent) but he did not identify himself as an authorized dealer until another forum member specifically asked his intentions. As for the seller, I've never bought a machine being described as "great condition" having such major problems. Of course, these were problems that were not obvious, but most laptops I've bought were not so subtle with their problems. I had actually never heard of this problem with a laptop until I read the T4x forums. I wasn't expecting my system to have the problem,, because most issues are in so few systems that its negligible. But this was not the case, the problem was more prevalent than I thought. And I've bought alot of different laptops unfortunately. In the end, this thread has devolved into something I did not expect and should honestly be closed.

#18 Post by **carbon_unit** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:15 am

Do you have onsite warranty or Depot warranty? Lenovo should replace the system board, but not the entire system.
I think mitchellst was offering you the opportunity to get the equivalent of Depot service without having to roll the dice in regards to the variable quality of recent Depot repairs, but you pay the shipping.

RoxyRose · #19 Post by **RoxyRose** » Mon May 28, 2007 1:44 pm

Thanks carbon for your sincere and succinct post, however I understand now what he is offering, but it was unclear at the beginning of the thread who he was or why he was offering the service. I also know that Lenovo is more than not just going to replace the board, but I wanted to know from other users experiences how likely it was that the system would be replaced based on how old the system was and the availability of the board. Some users have said that they have stopped making new boards for this system. I don't think I gave anyone the impression that I was expecting a new system and that's the point I have ben continually trying to make. However, I have heard of others getting a new upgraded system due to a series of errors, lack of parts, etc...so I didn't think it was impossibe. I hate repeating myself so I hope that I am being clear now.

Edit: This is my warranty:
This product has a three year special bid limited warranty and is entitled to parts, labor and on-site repair service. Service is available Monday-Friday, except holidays, with a next business day response objective.

#20 Post by **carbon_unit** » Mon May 28, 2007 6:01 pm

They only offer you a new system after multiple trips to the depot for the same problem with no resolution to the problem and lots of phone calls. Even then it is kind of rare to get a replacement system.
You are at least 3 trips to the depot and many phone calls from getting a replacement system.
You have onsite warranty, give them a call and have them come and fix it so you can enjoy it!

coreman · #21 Post by **coreman** » Mon May 28, 2007 8:56 pm

Rosannafe wrote:Edit: This is my warranty:
This product has a three year special bid limited warranty and is entitled to parts, labor and on-site repair service. Service is available Monday-Friday, except holidays, with a next business day response objective.

For once I agree....this thread should be closed...

RoxyRose · #22 Post by **RoxyRose** » Wed Jun 13, 2007 6:53 pm

Problems were taken care of with a motherboard replacement. Settings fixed only lasted a week Thanks, hope this helps other members.

Bought a T41- USB 2.0/1.1 and Video Flicker Problems

Bought a T41- USB 2.0/1.1 and Video Flicker Problems

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