Thinkpads Forum

snake,

I had read somewhere on the forums about the turbo question.

Did this person have Vista? Or XP?

Did he post the make of his new RAM?

Another good input...thanks.

Alacrity

I am wondering if there is someone from Lenovo company reading on this forum, or on their own forum? Why bother trying to find out how to solve our problems by ourselves? They can test bad motherboards which was replaced and see what the problems are and SHARE WITH THE COMUNITY here.

My t61p was ordered in US, manufactured in China on October 26th and I received it in Bucharest on November 6th. Since then I have done everything to make it run properly. I even downgraded to XP Pro (clean install), last BIOS, etc. I am using this machine for 3D medical stuff and I have problems. I thought my programs run bad. The only way to have a good working machine is to use one RAM module or one core. Now I am angry freezing in the middle of my work and decided today to return to my old self-made desktop. Why did I pay for a CORE 2 DUO, instead of CORE 2 UNO and why did I pay for 2 GB of RAM instead of 1 GB?

If Lenovo cares about us then why not posting here their suggestions? Why not contacting us to solve our problems by sending us new functional notebooks. I have received a crippled ThinkPad. Why changing the motherboard?

Yes he has vista ultimate, and he bought and installed 2x1G kingston. (The reason he bought kingston is because the sales lady is pretty. )

But remember, even if the turbo memory is not installed, people are still reporting the same problem. I think his case is isolated.

Florian,

It would very very expensive for Lenovo to actually inform folks and to actively solicit returns.

You can be sure they are well aware of the problem and trying to resolve the issue before shipping new PCs.

For every PC that comes back, Lenovo loses money on that PC....with labor, shipping, and parts replacement.

But, unfortunately, it sounds like you have a "lemon". Is there any way you can return the PC while you use your desktop?

Alacrity

Just found my mobo's serial number. It's VF12878S13B. And my laptop's factory ID is "T". Also, I'm not using turbo memory due to my XP system.

Just want to update something I read on lenovo's forum. Someone disabled the speedstep in Bios and "solved" the problem. The trade off is that the CPU now can only run at 50%.

SnakeJW wrote:Just want to update something I read on lenovo's forum. Someone disabled the speedstep in Bios and "solved" the problem. The trade off is that the CPU now can only run at 50%.

50% of the actual CPU clock speed?

just asking... with two cores and single threaded games/apps the load is normally 50% and with multicore disabled the load becomes 100%

I'm the one who dicovered that disabling the Intel's SpeedStep in BIOS may solve our problem, partialy, of course. I am curious to see if this solve your problem. "gaizers" on the other forum disabled speedstep and this action seems to solve his problem also.

Disabling Intel SpeedStep do cut the processor's power to about 55%. If we are looking at the problem from a power point of view, all our actions cut the computer's power: one core, one memory, no Intel SpeedStep. I am a physician by profession and my logic shows that it is a problem somewhere on the northbridge /memory controller. This can mean a DC power problem, as well... I don't know.

My t61p is running with dual core and 2x1GB double stacked memory; BIOS 2.07.

Happy Holidays !

Florian,

I was reading back thru your posts. Did you ever run 3DMark06 on your PC? Did it run? Can you post your score?

It is a free download for 3DMark06 and is a good starting standard for the GPU.

Alacrity

Hello,

are we sure that each individual step to avoid the reported issues
1) single core (speedstep enabled, dual channel mode - 2 DIMMS)
2) speedstep disabled (two cores, dual channel mode - 2 DIMMS)
3) single channel (one DIMM, two cores, speedstep enabled)
on its own does actually always resolve the problems?

In my case for example I did some testing and 3) always did the trick, whilst 1) did not.

it is definitely an issue with 'dual channel' mode but the GPU must be actively partecipating otherwise a simple memory stress test should consistently trigger the problems.

when disable SpeedStep
3DMark06 is running pass and got 37xx scores.

Back when I was having this problem disabling speedstep didn't make a difference for me.

I just tried disabling speedstep, and it seems to fix the problem for me too.

Anyone know of a way to force the CPU into full speed with speedstep disabled ? According to cpuz the speed is just below 1.2ghz which ofcourse is not acceptable.

EDIT: I've just tried setting speedstep to enabled, but instead of automatic speed setting, I changed it to max. performance for both AC and battery mode and so far it looks like it is still working, I will test some more and get back to you...

Another edit: Unfortunately it didn't last - it just crashed again, so I'll test some more with speedstep disabled to verify that it at least works.

Yet another edit (30/12): It seems to be holding up just fine with speedstep disabled - my guess is that this causes the CPU to emit less heat which then avoids the problem.

hum,, interesting. I would really like to see what the lenovo engineers' opinions are.

I'm not sure how the Speedstep config and setup.

However, my issue with my laptop and service has been resolved with the replacement laptop. It has the Windows tag from "Lenovo Singapore". (not sure where the broken one from).

I've been downloading Cyrus, Bio, and running the 3DMark06 Basic test without problem. I've been putting about 10 days worth of usage with different applications (for my usage); reinstall of Vista and do not have problem with lock-up. FINALLY.

I still have problem with Wireless not coming up after sleep mode, but that is not as annoyance as the BSOD or lock up or blank laptop screen. I do hope they will resolve this in the future via software update or Vista.

There were some hurdles to go thru with Lenovo support/service. However, they had escalated to the right level and attention to provide the service they had promised. Both Lenovo and IBM (surprisingly, they are there) had contacted and resolved my issues. I'll check out my support contact to ensure everything is transferred over.

In summary, there will be headaches, but Lenovo had come thru for me. For everyone else that has the same issue, contact them with your service, be patience, understanding and they will come thru to deliver what we all have come to respect the ThinkPad brand and customer service. I do hope their next product line will be QA better before releasing it to the customer.

HT>
P.s: Lenovo has ppl here to help. so just post your problem and be nice.

huytrang,

Great to hear of the resolution.

I had commented earlier in the thread about seeing "Singapore" on my PC as well....and my PC has not had the graphics problem. Maybe there is a relationship there......Lenovo might have a manufacturing facility in Singapore AND the quality of the motherboards and their manufacturing might be higher there (more experience and history).

On the wireless, I noted the same but then found if I converted to WEP instead of WPA-PSK AES, there was no problem. You can incorporate other security by putting a MAC filter on your router.

Enjoy your "new" computer.

Alacrity

alacrity,

I have tried both WEP and WPA-PSK and WPA2-PSK. I got problem of not connecting in all three settings when I have more than one profile in Access connection. However, it seems to be OK when I have only one profile.

I have not tried to uninstall the Access connection and just use Vista yet. I'll try it later.

alacrityathome wrote:huytrang,

Great to hear of the resolution.

I had commented earlier in the thread about seeing "Singapore" on my PC as well....and my PC has not had the graphics problem. Maybe there is a relationship there......Lenovo might have a manufacturing facility in Singapore AND the quality of the motherboards and their manufacturing might be higher there (more experience and history).

On the wireless, I noted the same but then found if I converted to WEP instead of WPA-PSK AES, there was no problem. You can incorporate other security by putting a MAC filter on your router.

Enjoy your "new" computer.

Alacrity

Mine says made in China but has the Singapore tag. It passes 3Dmark, plays half-life and recently Call of Duty 4 flawlessly, passes cinebench and other torture tests, but crashes on crysis and bioshock.

So, it doesn't seem I'm quite as afflicted as others.

Can whoever had this fixed please post whether bioshock and crysis work?

Thx

Dimitris

dikrek,

It shouldn't crash with Bioshock or Crysis. HalfLife is an easier test compared to Bioshock and Crysis.

Do you have the dual RAM memory?

With Bioshock or Crysis, did you try pulling out one of the RAM sticks?

For those with T61p PCs, a good PC should make it thru both Bioshock and Crysis.

By the way, my PC also says manufactured by Lenovo Singapore but also made in China with ID H. so, I am not sure what all that means. I hope what it means is that the mobo was manufactured in Singapore but the final assembly was in China (I am assuming higher quality in Singapore).

Let us know how you make out.

alacrity

alacrityathome wrote: On the wireless, I noted the same but then found if I converted to WEP instead of WPA-PSK AES, there was no problem.

Alacrity

Were you able to get an 'N' connection (130 mbps) using WEP?

Well, I couldn't actually test that speed since my AP router is a G level only.

My T61p now out specs 6 other PCs and 3 routers in my abode.

well i didn't wanna send in my T61p since i wouldn't have it for a wile but i finally got sick of this problem and when i looked for a service center to my surprise there is one just an hour away from where i work. so when the board comes in i'm taking it in. after i get it back i will let you all know how it goes.

but it dose look like replacing the motherboard fixes the problem. i will find out.

anyways i want to thank you all for this forum. i fould it really helpful.

Thanks Guys.

Good luck and please keep us posted.

"Display Driver nvlddmkm Stopped Responding and Has Successfully Recovered."

I can't even enjoy a good game of Bioshock now. I've been through multiple video drivers, a BIOS flash, and even a full reinstall.
Does anyone else have this problem?

Wow.

Lenovo no longer offers the FX570 256MB GPU!

I would be it is because of the issues pointed out in this thread.

I feel lucky having one of the last T61p units!.....that works.

alacrityathome wrote: Lenovo no longer offers the FX570 256MB GPU!

It is not true. Lenovo do offers t61p with FX570 256MB GPU.

alacrityathome wrote:Wow.

Lenovo no longer offers the FX570 256MB GPU!

I would be it is because of the issues pointed out in this thread.

I feel lucky having one of the last T61p units!.....that works.

They just put 570M back on their website again. I think someone has made a mistake and was corrected. However, people have reported seeing T9500 processors, now that would be nice to have.

Pocket Aces wrote:"Display Driver nvlddmkm Stopped Responding and Has Successfully Recovered."

I can't even enjoy a good game of Bioshock now. I've been through multiple video drivers, a BIOS flash, and even a full reinstall.
Does anyone else have this problem?

Dude, didn't you have your problem fixed a while ago?

SnakeJW wrote: However, people have reported seeing T9500 processors, now that would be nice to have.

Check the list on Lenovo UK website http://www5.pc.ibm.com/uk/products.nsf/ ... eb_express
There are quite a few new models listed with the new Intel processors including the T9500 processor.

SnakeJW wrote:

Pocket Aces wrote:"Display Driver nvlddmkm Stopped Responding and Has Successfully Recovered."

I can't even enjoy a good game of Bioshock now. I've been through multiple video drivers, a BIOS flash, and even a full reinstall.
Does anyone else have this problem?

Dude, didn't you have your problem fixed a while ago?

It's not the same problem. These are driver crashes rather than complete hardware shut-downs.