Thinkpads Forum

Hi,
The screen is dead , I connected an external screen and it works.
The graphic card works on standard VGA driver from long time ago because it refuses to accept the NVIDIA driver (computer hangs).
T61 6460. 07/12, win 7.

What is wrong ? What is to be done?
Thanks

Izzy

TYPE 6460-xxx What?
If 6460-CTO, what is the PRODUCT ID under it? 6460-xxx ?

Production date 07-12 means it's probably a goner.
Only laptops with production date 08/08 or 08/09 or newer can be fully trusted.
I older than that, you most likely will need a new motherboard, dating from 08/08 or later.

Type is 6460-7EU
Does the fact that external screen works OK shows anything towards simple repair?
Izzy

Yours has the NVIDIA Quadro FX 570M GPU.
The GPU consists of 2 parts, one digital part for the internal LCD, and one analog for the VGA connection/external monitor.
One can be defective while the other is still working.
Usually the internal/digital is the first one to conk out.
You'll need a new mobo.

izzykatz wrote: The graphic card works on standard VGA driver from long time ago because it refuses to accept the NVIDIA driver (computer hangs).
T61 6460. 07/12, win 7.

^^^^^This is a GPU death warrant right there.

RBS is correct, as usual. You'll need a replacement planar.

Good luck.

How can one say "THANKS" with such bad news?...

Thank you for your help.
Izzy

izzykatz wrote:How can one say "THANKS" with such bad news?...

There is so much truth in what you just said... but the fact remains that these gpu chips do sometimes fail and the only way to avoid it is to get a board from a unit built in August 2008 that's been verified to be the original board. Most of the warranty replacement boards have the same bad chip design. I can sometimes get the 08/08 boards, although they continue to get more scarce each day. Another option is a board with Intel graphics. This is the most popular fix for this problem. Since you have a Merom class cpu you don't need one with Penryn support so that makes it much easier to source. I get these for members often and would be glad to help. Of course International shipping would be an issue, but usps recently opened up new options for economical shipping to international destinations. You can send me a PM if you'd like my help, or if you'd like to replace the laptop I should be able to get one where you can use all your existing accessories with (harddrive, ram, dvd, ac, battery, etc).

There is also discussion about using the laptop docked with an external GPU. This however will only work as long as your gpu is partially functional, which yours is, but no telling how long this will remain so.