freezes on my T41...

[wrybread]

I bought a used T41 a few months ago and have had no problems until the last few days. Now I'm getting a strange freeze. Here's the symptoms:

- the screen goes black and all activity pauses, and if I move the screen it will sometimes come back, though with dots on the screen. Eventually the screen will redraw itself and the dots will go away.

- the problem seems to come in bursts, meaning it won't happen for a while and then it will happen pretty constantly

- moving the screen during the blackout often brings life back, but not every time. I don't think its a simple loose connection though since activity on the computer completely halts during this freezeup. I can tell this is the case because all audio stops too.

- I tried installing Ubuntu but got a freeze during setup, so it sounds like its not a driver issue.

- the problem seems to happen most when I type or use the touchpad.

- I removed the keyboard and palmrest and didn't see anything obviously loose.

Anyone have any theories?

[AIX]

Maybe a memory related problem? Have you tried to test it? or to change it?

[wrybread]

Thanks for the suggestion. I tested with Memtest, all clear.

I just researched some more and see I might have the dreaded loose solder joints between the GPU and the mobo. Apparently a very common problem with the T41's. Ugh.

See here for more info:

http://episteme.arstechnica.com/eve/for ... 2002878831

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57021

Does anyone not agree that this is the issue?

I'm pretty sure it is the issue, since it happens pretty often if I prod the GPU.

And does anyone know someone who would do this fix if I mailed them the laptop?

[zdriver]

Highly recommended for your board repair is member jamiphar, known for high quality repairs of boards with your problem.
See the thread - LCD CCFL Backlight Repair/GPU Rework - I'll fix it for you!
This would be your #1 option.