T42 2374-WCB vertical/horizontal lines on the screen

[mzu2006]

The Thinkpad T42 2374-WCB. (MB FRU 39T5468). After 6 years of almost flawless work - vertical and horizontal lines started to appear on the screen, sometimes blocks, sometimes smaller blocks follow mouse cursor movement. Every time in different places. Color tint changes a little by blocks. Appears on both external and internal screens. memtest86 runs normal. Removing of add-on memory chip (1Gb) did not help. Appears immediately at power-on, though going to text-only mode (memtest) does not reveal anything. Yellowish blocks are visible on the attached picture.. Will appreciate troubleshooting suggestions.

[Harryc]

ThinkPad T42 2374-WCB

Original description: Based 2374-CTO: P M 745, 1GB RAM, 80GB 5400rpm HDD, 14.1 SXGA+(1400x1050) TFT LCD, 64MB ATI Radeon 9600, CD-RW/DVD-R Multi-Burner, Intel 802.11b/g wireless, Bluetooth/Modem, 1Gb Ether, UltraNav, Sec Chip, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

It looks and sounds like you have a loose GPU. It's a known problem on T4X machines that requires systemboard replacement or reballing of the GPU. For board replacement, contact the proprietor at this site...is also a forum member.
http://www.theboardroom.info/stock.htm

[mzu2006]

Dear Harryc,
thank you for your prompt reply.

I contacted RealBlackStuff this afternoon. Waiting for reply ...

[mzu2006]

Harryc, thanks for the advice. They do not have my MB in stock. Will think about downgrading to Radeon 7500 with 32Mb. Is this source: http://www.thinkpad-parts.com/39T5468-ThinkPad.html anyhow reliable?

[ajkula66]

That's a lot of dough for a T42 planar...I'm certain you could do better here on the forum...and no, I don't have one to offer you...

[mzu2006]

Inspired by some success reports on this site just sent my board to GPU Medics. Does not have much to loose. Will report on progress...