Newbie with some T4x issues/questions.

[LegendaryKA8]

Hey, all. Just found the forums a few days ago and signed up... most notebooks I've owned have been Thinkpads, and here's what's been happening.

I bought a T40 as an Ebay special back in April, and while it's been good thus far has just recently been doing the infamous 'loose graphics chip' problem. I'm keeping it temporarily working using the Post-it trick, but so far the issues seem to be getting worse.

However, I really don't feel comfortable reflowing the motherboard, especially when it seems to me like the problem will occur again in the future. I've been considering upgrading, preferably to another Thinkpad.

I've been keeping my eyes on some other Ebay Thinkpads, including some factory refurbished T42p models, with the 15" UXGA screens. These machines come with a warranty(albeit not the original IBM/Lenovo one, it seems), but I was wondering if anyone has any experience with the ATI FireGL T2 video cards in these guys going the same way as the Radeon 7500 in this one. I absolutely love these laptops, but I'm really leery of getting another one which will eventually exhibit the same issues. So, in short... does this issue affect even the higher-end graphics cards on these machines?

[Harryc]

Yes, if you check out the thread linked below you will find a few T42/P owners having reported the same issue with their GPUs.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... c&start=30

[SHoTTa35]

the problem is mainly how you hold the systems. Don't grab them by the front corners. With a machine 1" thick closed (about .6" for just the bottom half) it's hard to make it as sturdy as say a 1.5" thick Dell laptop.

When you pick up the machine you grab it with both hands and by the back corners where the LCD and bottom meet. If it's closed then it's of almost no difference where since it's thicker and more sturdy but still pick it up with both hands. That will eliminate flexing.

[ajkula66]

And if you really look, you'll find that a bunch of T42P machines from private sellers has warranty way into 2008 for less money than refurbished ones with 3 months IBM + 3 year Mack warranty...

I've had several T42p units with and without UXGA screens and never had an issue with the video card...think about it this way: most people buying something with a 15" UXGA screen are using the machine as a desktop replacement and moving it around a lot less than average corporate 14" units get moved...I'm a known and incurable UXGA buff and I don't carry any of these around...if any of them sees the light of the day more than 3 times a year that's a lot...

Just my opinion, obviously...