T60 graphics problem - dodgy motherboard?

[spinghed]

Hello...

I have been enjoying my T60 for a while but I've started to get a weird issue with my display.

I switch it on and everything is fine but after a few mins the screen gets corrupted... ie: I get loads of multi-coloured pixels in vertical rows across the screen. The fan in top left of the machine has started making an odd scratchy noise that it wasn't doing before - I don't know if the board is overheating or if it just needs replacing...

the machine is a T60 with an ati radeon x1400 gpu with the 1400x1050 screen
I opened it up and the part number I found was 41W3360 which I can't seem to find on any documentation
the sticker on the bottom is reads 2007-FVG S/N L3-3W04X 06/11

- hope someone can help

thanks in advance

-Rick

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
The problem with your laptop is corrupted VRAM (the RAM from the graphics processor), which manifests itself when the GPU heats up.
The only solution is to replace the motherboard.
If you do not require the 'horsepower' of the ATI X1400, you could replace it with a mobo with the less powerful ATI X1300 or even integrated Intel graphics.
The HMM will show you how-to details and part numbers: http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-62733

As to the noisy fan: you could try blowing out the dust using compressed air (hold the fanblades with e.g. a toothpick to stop it from over-revving).
There are posts about lubricating the fan, which you could also try.
If neither helps, that too needs to be replaced.

[spinghed]

ah... thanks for the reply - I kind of thought that would be the only fix.

I do really need a half decent graphics card, Oh well, I'm going to check out some motherboard replacements

thanks for your help - I may be back!!



Rick

[ark]

Before you replace the motherboard, let me suggest you try the following:

1) Right-click the background, select "Catalyst Control Center."
2) Uncheck the box that says "Enable PowerPlay"
3) Restart the machine and see if that solves the problem.

[spinghed]

I'll give it a go when I get home... but I think I de-installed the catalyst control centre as I had huge problems with win7 recognising that I had a graphics card at all!!

- thanks again..

Rick