ATI 14" T60p, dies w graphics test- what would you do?
Posted: Mon Jan 02, 2012 2:25 pm
I have a 15" T60p but it has it's issues, at least one serious -- long story, maybe another thread -- and I wanted to get something similar that I could rely on right now, so I just bought a 14" T60p.
It works and looks great, sort of. Nothing beats the Flexview, but I think I could even enjoy the 14's screen as it is also 4:3 and because when adjusted at a slight angle tilting away from me, the contrast gets a lot better and actually looks pretty good....if I keep it.
The new laptop works and looks great except for the fact that when running the graphics test, it shuts down completely to the boot screen. I've tried it about three times now, and it consistently does this with PC Doctor's wireframe demo test, when the machine's graphic's card starts to work harder. I haven't run the graphics test again because the last shutdown was a little scary as all of the lights went out (it ate the lights
) and it would not even respond to the power button press until I unplugged it and removed the battery.
I don't have the exact model number with me as the 14 is at home, but it has an ATI 256mb 5250 graphics chip and a T7400 2.16 processor. I don't remember the exact manufacturing date, but it is likely an earlier dated model.
I will post further details if needed and I guess more could also be said, but the bottom line is, I would like to keep it. The transaction between the seller and I was such that I believe if I asked for my money back, he would give it to me. (I paid 212) He also has a T60 non-P and I think I could exchange it for that and some cash back.
It's very busy at work and given that the window to possibly return the 14 is limited, I just didn't have the time I'd like to have had to have properly researched what my prospects likely are at this point.
The first thing I'd do if there's a decent chance at it being a keeper is see what kind of temps are happening, with light loads first, by installing the proper software. Then I would open it up and apply some arctic silver to the heatsink, as I've seen mentioned here. The 14 barely gets warm under the fan, whereas my 15 will literally burn my leg if I let it, so I'm thinking that would help regardless.
What do you guys think? Would you think it even worth taking apart to try and save, or would you just not even bother and return it?
It works and looks great, sort of. Nothing beats the Flexview, but I think I could even enjoy the 14's screen as it is also 4:3 and because when adjusted at a slight angle tilting away from me, the contrast gets a lot better and actually looks pretty good....if I keep it.
The new laptop works and looks great except for the fact that when running the graphics test, it shuts down completely to the boot screen. I've tried it about three times now, and it consistently does this with PC Doctor's wireframe demo test, when the machine's graphic's card starts to work harder. I haven't run the graphics test again because the last shutdown was a little scary as all of the lights went out (it ate the lights
) and it would not even respond to the power button press until I unplugged it and removed the battery.I don't have the exact model number with me as the 14 is at home, but it has an ATI 256mb 5250 graphics chip and a T7400 2.16 processor. I don't remember the exact manufacturing date, but it is likely an earlier dated model.
I will post further details if needed and I guess more could also be said, but the bottom line is, I would like to keep it. The transaction between the seller and I was such that I believe if I asked for my money back, he would give it to me. (I paid 212) He also has a T60 non-P and I think I could exchange it for that and some cash back.
It's very busy at work and given that the window to possibly return the 14 is limited, I just didn't have the time I'd like to have had to have properly researched what my prospects likely are at this point.
The first thing I'd do if there's a decent chance at it being a keeper is see what kind of temps are happening, with light loads first, by installing the proper software. Then I would open it up and apply some arctic silver to the heatsink, as I've seen mentioned here. The 14 barely gets warm under the fan, whereas my 15 will literally burn my leg if I let it, so I'm thinking that would help regardless.
What do you guys think? Would you think it even worth taking apart to try and save, or would you just not even bother and return it?