X41 video issues-hardware defect or software bug?

[jonu]

I have now had my X41 for several weeks now. I love the size, battery life, and construction. However, the video is driving me crazy.

Basically, the video setting never "stick" whenever I close the lid, whether docked or undocked. For example, when docked to a 19" LCD with the display only on the external screen, opening and closing the lid results in the display at 1280x1024, and when undocked, opening and closing the lid makes the video change from the normal 1024x768 to 800x600. The video changes every time I open and close the lid!

I had already noted on a previous post that I get the Windows "add a device" or "remove a device" ding every time I open or close the lid (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11744). Per suggestions from another person on that thread, I had completely removed and reinstalled the video driver. I have also reinstalled Presentation Director (though I didn't remove it before reinstalling). Problem persists with all this.

What do folks think?
Is this a Presentation Director bug, and do I just need to wait for a new version?
Is this a video driver bug?
Or is this a hardware defect?
(Or is this how Thinkpads are supposed to work? )

[pphilipko]

Hmmm, that's unusual. I don't get "add a device" or "remove a device", and my thinkpad changes to the correct resolution when I undock...

I'm pretty sure it's a software bug, though I can't be sure of its source. Have you tried reinstalling Windows?

[bhtooefr]

Hmm... it DOES sound like software, but a REALLY weird software bug.

Try reinstalling Windows.

(FWIW, I get nothing like that. Then again, I'm running an old X21...)

[jonu]

Thanks for the thoughts.

Since I am pretty new to Windows (originally a Mac guy), does reinstalling Windows entail a complete backup, reformat, and reinstalling everything manually, or is there a way I can "reinstall" Windows on top of my current installation without any/too much disruption to my current settings and applications?

[bhtooefr]

Hmm...

There's two ways. Method #1 is a complete reformat and reinstall.

Method #2, however, is a repair on the partition. What you're describing sounds like a Windows install that's borked deep within, which means that a repair install would probably do the trick.

[jonu]

How does one do a repair install, especially since Thinkpads don't ship with Windows CD's?

What do people think about just reinstalling SP2 to see if that does the trick?

[bhtooefr]

Try it.

I didn't think about the lack of a real XP CD - a repair install DOES require one.

[jonu]

Reinstalled SP2. Bug is still there. I think I will call Lenovo when I return from a week-long trip. I am glad to hear it isn't supposed to work this way but am not looking forward to "fixing" this in a brand new laptop!

[jonu]

My call to IBM/Lenovo was completely not helpful. The tech. walked me through hardware tests (all OK) and then told me that I needed to reinstall Windows.

From another user's experience in another thread (http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11744), I was able to partially fix the problem by deleting the Power Manager Drive (but NOT the Power Manager), but it hasn't fixed the problem 100% of the time, and I am uneasy knowing that there may be other Windows bugs around.

The tech. told me that it is impossible to do a Repair Install of Windows on Thinkpads, even if I can get a hold of a Windows XP CD. Is this true?

Any suggestions or tips before I do the complete recover/reinstall?

Thanks.