Artifacts/distortion occasionally when playing youtube videos in HD (T61p)

[storm-chaser]

Quite often, I have this problem, especially when playing youtube videos *in HD* where the video will become distorted and hang for a few seconds. Audio continues normally through the hickups and eventually, the video feed recovers and continues on normally. Could this be a sign that my GPU is failing? Build date is listed as: 07/10

If I toggle the video quality and dial it down to 360p, the video distortion will occur at a much lower rate, but still happens from time to time.

Typically, I am running Microsoft Edge, but this also happens when running firefox or chrome. If I remember correctly, I did not have this problem when running windows 7. Just curious if anyone else has run into HD playback issues with the T61p, it does effect usability and I'd love to find a resolution to this problem. Specs listed below:

-x9000 CPU clocked at 2.8Ghz with 1.0875 vcore (however, vid distortion occurs at any clock speed)
-Middleton BIOS
-Intel SSD 80Gb
-ThrottleStop
-Nvidia Quadro FX 570m GPU
- Windows 10 pro 64 bit
-4GB RAM

[Screamer]

Disable hardware acceleration on Edge or Chrome or Firefox, then check if it still gives the distorted video output. If it still continues to display a distorted output, I can only guess that the drivers might be at fault.

I doubt that it is the graphics chip failing, based on what you mentioned about Windows 7 not giving a distorted video output. This could be a sign though, but I would not be so sure on that.

[storm-chaser]

Disable hardware acceleration on Edge or Chrome or Firefox, then check if it still gives the distorted video output. If it still continues to display a distorted output, I can only guess that the drivers might be at fault.

I doubt that it is the graphics chip failing, based on what you mentioned about Windows 7 not giving a distorted video output. This could be a sign though, but I would not be so sure on that.

Still no change despite some browser tweaks. Sucks because this is a deal breaker of sorts as I stream from this laptop quite a bit. And I have to agree, it must be a driver issue since windows 7 seems to be no problem. At this point I have downloaded and installed the latest driver from Nvidia with no change... so I might as well roll back to windows seven. I think that's best resolution at this point.

[storm-chaser]

Disable hardware acceleration on Edge or Chrome or Firefox, then check if it still gives the distorted video output. If it still continues to display a distorted output, I can only guess that the drivers might be at fault.

I doubt that it is the graphics chip failing, based on what you mentioned about Windows 7 not giving a distorted video output. This could be a sign though, but I would not be so sure on that.

I have successfully downgraded from Windows 10 to Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 w/ Office 2016 (windows 7 install via windows 8 PE) with registry tweaks and other customizations
-Installed all driver updates using Windows Update
-Restored Quick Launch toolbar
-Installed Firefox / Chrome
-Installed ThrottleStop and set to auto-start upon login
-Overclocked to 3.4Ghz @ 1.225 v core

[storm-chaser]

Well, After some testing it appears as though downgrading to windows seven has resolved my playback issues.

In case anyone else is having the same problem... this appears to be the only resolution, unforunately.

[wujstefan]

Well, After some testing it appears as though downgrading to windows seven has resolved my playback issues.

In case anyone else is having the same problem... this appears to be the only resolution, unforunately.

Try 8800m GS drivers. They work perfectly on my system w/windows 10.

[storm-chaser]

Well, After some testing it appears as though downgrading to windows seven has resolved my playback issues.

In case anyone else is having the same problem... this appears to be the only resolution, unforunately.

Try 8800m GS drivers. They work perfectly on my system w/windows 10.

Too late... however I have another SSD i will swap in eventually and try your fix... I assume you are talking about a t61p.

[wujstefan]

Too late... however I have another SSD i will swap in eventually and try your fix... I assume you are talking about a t61p.

fx570m is actually a nerfed 8800m GS Yes, I do mean T61p.

To be honest I do not like this chip much. 35W power hog nerfed down to 128Mb is just not worth the effort. I was able to get very close performance with overclocked (via Riva Tune) nvs140m eating only 10W.
In 15,4" unit, however, it does the job. I can't understand why they cut half of the memory in 14,1"...

[storm-chaser]

Too late... however I have another SSD i will swap in eventually and try your fix... I assume you are talking about a t61p.

fx570m is actually a nerfed 8800m GS Yes, I do mean T61p.

To be honest I do not like this chip much. 35W power hog nerfed down to 128Mb is just not worth the effort. I was able to get very close performance with overclocked (via Riva Tune) nvs140m eating only 10W.
In 15,4" unit, however, it does the job. I can't understand why they cut half of the memory in 14,1"...

I have the 15.4" varient. Still, good information... I know it's super power hungry and I'm tempted to install the highsun BIOS to mitigate extra heat because it's a little out of control. My next purchase with be a 15.4" T61 with the NVS140m. I agree it is a superior piece.

[wujstefan]

Well, 15,4" at least packs 256Mb of VRAM.
As for undervolting; try a different approach via RivaTune / NVidia inspector / Trixx.

As for the heat, how bad is it? Mine is and was running just fine.

[storm-chaser]

Well, 15,4" at least packs 256Mb of VRAM.
As for undervolting; try a different approach via RivaTune / NVidia inspector / Trixx.

As for the heat, how bad is it? Mine is and was running just fine.

Idles about 50*C but it will tend to spike a but if playing youtube videos. Still not bad at all, just trying to mitigate heat as much as possible.

I will try those programs and let you know what I find! Thanks much.

I have Windows 10 RS5 plus Office 2019 downloading at the moment. We will see how she runs with your recommendations for the different driver.

[storm-chaser]

Installed Windows 10 RS5 with Office 2019 and then I went ahead and installed the 8800 drivers. Better, much better. Streaming is near perfect. Thank you very much for the suggestion.

T61p is once again my daily driver!

[RMSMajestic]

vRAM size is the problem.
X3100 would perform better.
but even x3100 is limited to 384MB and that's why I gave up on X61 and T61

[RMSMajestic]

Also, you might wanna consider disable powermizer using nvgputweak tool. powermizer was giving me troubles on my W701

[storm-chaser]

Also, you might wanna consider disable powermizer using nvgputweak tool. powermizer was giving me troubles on my W701

I will add that to my short list... so far we have:
-RivaTune
-NVidia inspector
-Trixx
-nvgputweak tool

I know we are reaching the limits on how these old machines can perform... but I just don't want to let go of my T61p yet.
Secondarily, I am looking into building a new T61 15.4" with the NVS 140? graphics chip and retro fitting that with the latest tech... I do have a spare T9300 laying around, as well as a spare Sata II SSD. So that will be my next project and we will see how it performs pound for pound with the T61p w/ x9000 chip.

[storm-chaser]

Tried most of those programs and they don't run on Windows 10 at least.. I also think the T61p is totally locked out in terms of software changing the GPU voltage...

[Screamer]

Indeed, the T61p and its derivatives (R61/T61) doesn't have any way of changing their graphics chip's voltage. You could give MSI Afterburner a shot though, but I believe that doesn't work either.

[RMSMajestic]

Tried most of those programs and they don't run on Windows 10 at least.. I also think the T61p is totally locked out in terms of software changing the GPU voltage...

Dump winbugs 10!
Also if you don't mind 16:10 wide screen, get a W500 or W700 instead. 512MB/1GB vRAM is not enough but definitely much better than the 256MB you get on T61

[storm-chaser]

Tried most of those programs and they don't run on Windows 10 at least.. I also think the T61p is totally locked out in terms of software changing the GPU voltage...

Dump winbugs 10!
Also if you don't mind 16:10 wide screen, get a W500 or W700 instead. 512MB/1GB vRAM is not enough but definitely much better than the 256MB you get on T61

Im addicted to Microsoft Edge now... They have me locked in for the time being, lol. I tried going back to windows 7 but the UI is just not as seemless as windows 10. I don't mind a bug or two every now and again but I really dislike the T61p not being able to stream in HD. That's really the main problem I have. Otherwise, I'm using TPFANControl to reduce heat. I have the x9000 cpu and she runs a little hot despite being undervolted to 2.8Ghz @ 1.050volts.

Only other thing I can do now is undervolt the GPU via highsuns bios. However, I'm not quite sure of the steps. I think it has to be flashed from DOS.

[wujstefan]

Well under windows 7 nVidia Inspector works just fine.

What are your temps? Do not expect the difference to be that spectacular.

[storm-chaser]

Well under windows 7 nVidia Inspector works just fine.

What are your temps? Do not expect the difference to be that spectacular.

Good to know. GPU temps seem to parallel my CPU temps in most situations.

For example, GPU idles around 55*C and ramps up to about 70-75*C under load.

Just wondering what else I can do to solve this problem. It's really the only deal breaker I have with this machine.

[wujstefan]

These are nothing bad for this chip. Mine peaks even higher on reduced voltage Remember, it's 35W of power over there.

You'd gain 3-4C undervolted, and may lose stability. Since this GPU is quite power hungry it does make a difference undervolted. 128Mb undervolt nicely, but I have found 256Mb versions from 15,4" not able to undervolt much.

[storm-chaser]

I was able to undervolt the CPU a little further and I backed it down to 2.7Ghz... seems to help keep the GPU temps down slightly... so we are getting there - with the driver change video stuttering is down to a minimum. Just a shame there is no manual control for the fan. I'd like to set it at about 75% to find that fine line between too much noise and not enough cooling capacity.

[Raidriar]

Just to add my experience, I have global artifacting/distortion very, very rarely, when I have maybe 15+ youtube tabs open in chrome, I'm not sure if it is a driver crash, a voltage problem, or a hardware failure, but it is curable by sleep or reboot. I am using nvidia quadro drivers dated october 2016. Under light/moderate load, I have no such problem. GPU voltage is 0.9V, ASPM enabled for dynamic clocking. There is manual fan control for t61p, i use tpfancontrol v0.61, it works very well. I have mine on max because the fan is quiet, and keeps temps lower. My T61p has been my bedside computer for maybe 2 years now..? No problems with it knock on wood, it is using the FX 570M one month before "safe" date (july 2008).

You guys have to remember this computer really is of retirement age. My T61p is already beyond 10 years old, others are 11+, that is a long time to ask from a laptop. I'm actually quite pleased at how capable and usable it still is in the twilight days of 2018. A 2003 T30 in 2013 was absolutely not usable, but here we are with a 2008 T61P in 2018 almost 2019, still can navigate the web without difficulty; a true testament to the power of Core 2 Duo. It does not help that web video streaming are all changing codecs, with time all of it will be unsupported to be decoded by the GPU, will be very, very taxing on the CPU to decode x265/vp9 and beyond.

Enjoy your classic machine for what it is

[axur-delmeria]

Suspicions:

1. Driver issue
2. Resource contention (15 youtube tabs isn't normal, and eats up the GPU's resources, esp. RAM)
3. Video RAM issue

[storm-chaser]

It is truly incredible to see how well these machines perform almost 11 years on. Of course you have the obvious upgrades, x9000 and SSD come to mind, but it's a small price to pay for an authentic and vintage Lenovo experience.

The T61 is my go-to laptop as well, and has been for more than a decade. I purchased my first T61 with my Uncle's IBM discount at a cost savings of roughly 50% in 2008. Ever since I've been buying and selling these priceless pieces of equipment. I like to push the limits with my x9000 and occasionally even bench with it. It goes with me almost everywhere.

It is truly one of the great laptops of all time and if I were to change one thing it would be a touch screen but I seriously doubt that will ever happen. Although, it's nice to dream once in a while.

As for problems, I have one other issue regarding the unit. Occasionally it will automatically go to sleep mode when the lid is open. This happens about once a month and it will flip out for a few minutes. I have found by flipping the laptop upside down and holding it there for a second, it typically resolves the issue. It will generally happen out of the blue, the screen goes blank, and then the sleep indicator lights up. Haven't been able to resolve with any BIOS settings and it is definitely OS independent, meaning it's happened on both Windows 7 and Windows 10.

[wujstefan]

My bet is the hardware. I'm planning to open the lid this week so will give a hint post that. You can always remove the magnet from the lid and check how it works.

[storm-chaser]

Interesting. Where do I go about finding the magnet, and how does it work?