T43 Locks Up - Graphics-Related Problem

[Charles Bisel]

I'm having a problem with a T43 (2668-J2U) that I recently acquired. It has the Mobility Radeon X300 GPU. The problem is that when I run WinSAT (Windows Experience Index) in Vista SP2, the system almost always locks up when performing the Direct3D tests, usually the Direct3D Alpha Blend Test. When I say lock up, I mean that the computer is completely unresponsive and requires me to hold in the power button to shut it down.

I looked in the Winsat.log file and found no difference between the rare times that it does work, and the times that it doesn't. When it doesn't work, the last line in the log file is the following:

winsat\main.cpp:1161: > Running Assessment: graphicsformal ' -wddm'

Also, the computer will occasionally lock up when using Google Earth. It does this whether I use DirectX or OpenGL, so I have ruled those APIs out as the culprit. I have tried different video card drivers and experienced these problems with all of them, so I don't think it's a driver problem unless everyone else has the same issue.

At this point, I'm out of ideas, so I want to see if anyone else has had the same problem, or if anyone has any ideas. I believe it's either a problem with the X300 GPU, or with the RAM (2x1GB SODIMMs). I'm going to run Memtest and WMD this weekend to see if either program encounters any errors. The GPU does run hot in 'High Performance Mode' (154F / 68C), so I'm thinking that after 5 years of operating like this, it's starting to give out. I don't use the machine for gaming, so I don't have this problem that often. I just know that when I run WinSAT, I can replicate the problem, so I've been using it to test the different drivers.

-C-

[irus]

note the temps when this happens. use tpfc .62 for noting the temps.

also check if applying pressure above the gpu area keeps the machine from becoming unresponsive.

if the temp is too high and causing the failure then clean up the cooling system (search threads to see how to do it)

if applying pressure works then take out the keyboard and stick nylon straps with super glue on top of the heatsink where it contacts the gpu so that it creates pressure when keyboard is re assembled.

finally undervolt the computer using NHC so the temps stay below 55C

goodluck