Thinkpads Forum

Hi all,

I can't get my external monitor to produce any visual. My T60p works like a charm, everything works except my external monitor jack. I have a FireGl 5250 GPU, with a 15" 1400x1050 screen connected on it. After using the external VGA port of my laptop for a long time, suddenly i got no visual anymore on a (tested working) 15"and 17" LCD screen.

I tried in Vista, but also in Ubuntu to connect the external screen and setting the needed display settings. Both OS'es recognized the external screens, and set the correct native resolution. However, no image appeared on any externally connected screen. Just blank. When I attach the VGA cable from a screen, Vista initiates the external monitor setup script, which I can tell from the flickering of the screen. But then no image appears.

Can it be I somehow blewup my external monitor port? Any other ways to test my external monitor port besides doing settings in an OS (hardware based device?)? Is there a known issue with T60's where external monitor ports won't work after doing something wrong?

What can I do more?

I would go to BIOS and force external VGA as the main video output and try again. This is just to test whether the hardware is still working.

If unfortunately the VGA port is dead for unknown reason, you may think about getting a ThinkPad port replica, advanced mini doc or advanced dock to work with your external monitors.

Thanks for your reply. I have tried this already. The main problem is that the OS'es think everything is OK, while this is not the case (no visual).

Are you sure that the internal DAC for the external monitor port is not being used when the laptop is in the replicator/dock? In other words: Does the replicator have an own DAC, converting the digital signal to an analog (VGA) signal? If so, then a replicator certainly will help. If the internal DAC will be used, chances are great the external monitor port still won't work.

Are you in a docking station? If so, you need to use the VGA port on the dock. Only one port works at a time.

I have tested it without any dockingstation/replicator. The question is still: would a docking station be able to give visual on an external screen, thus using a different DAC?

I know of no general issue with the port. Have you tried Fn-F7 to toggle displays?

Yes.

I have now connected a DVI display using my dockingstation, which seems perfectly fine. The conclusion that my DAC is smoked is correct I think. Also, the dockingsttaion simply relays the analog VGA signal to the monitor, no different DAC is used inside the dockingstation.

By the way, are there t6x dockingstations available with a PCIe 16x expansion slot?

Hi to All and sorry for my Bad English language

I have Lenovo R61. Originaly was with nVidia N140. Mainboard are bad. Not every time restart.
I change MB with Intel graphics for low temperature. 10 to 12 celsius lower.
Question - On external ( second ) monitor I have only VGA ( 15 pin ) signal. NO DVI. Why ?

Thanks in advance

Mike

PS. New MB are P/N - 42W7883.

Hi Mike.

From P/N I see that this is a 15.4" wide motherboard.

According to Lenovo's documents (ltwbook.pdf), 15.4" wide R61 with Intel GPU do not support DVI on the docking station.

Sorry.

Thanks for your quick replay.
I want to change MB on to another ( without dedicated graphics ) for low temp and orig. MB are bad.
Yes it is 15.4" Lenovo R61 but I don`t see where is writing about NON - DVI support on the Docking.
With another ( P/N ) Docking can I watch on second monitor DVI ?

Thanks

Mike

Please see the following:
http://www.lenovo.com/psref/pdf/ltwbook.pdf

Notice how all pages mentioning R61 15W with GMA graphics indicate:

Intel Graphics Media Accelerator X3100 (GMA X3100), integrated in GM965,
no DVI pass-through support to optional Advanced Mini Dock or Advanced Dock

OK

Now I read what Lenovo are writing.
Question
What P/N are adequate for My R61 15.4" case ( with IEEE1394 - left side ) and has posibility to conecting external monitor on DVI ?
Please no - nVidia. It is to hot.

Thanks in advance

Mike

PS. Planar with ATI
PS1. It is big distinction RGB vs DVI.

I don't think any non-nVidia R61 15.4" planars support DVI out. Whether there exists a compatible non-R61 planar, I don't know.