Just got my X31 (used) problems and questions. advice needed

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makeitcount · #1 Post by **makeitcount** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 7:35 am

I just recieved my X31, it was listed as Refurbished from a private seller. The overall condition seems to be very good, there is however a few problems.

1) Since it was listed as refurbished, how do I check if the parts are all original? (I know how to see what the unit was shipped with originally, but what about what's in it now?)

2) There is a bright square around the mouse pointer, it's mostly visible when on different colors and largely invisble when on whites - it moves around with the mouse. Also the screen flickers when I move the mouse up and down. I've tried hooking up the unit to my sony CRT and it's still there. Furthermore there is also some flickering on the screen, the lights seem to flicker up and down and there are sometimes some lines that are lightly colored compared to the other colors. Also when I reboot I first get a green color on the display, then the windows loading screen comes but it has these diagonal white lines all over it. And when in screen saver mode the windows logo has some horisontal lines just around the logo also in a square (and it moves with the logo). While i screen saver mode the black seems to flicker a lot as well (like there is a reddish hue black flickering across randomly on the screen).

What could cause this and is there a way to fix it?

3) The machine came with Win XP Pro sticker under it, and installed. It also came with the Office 2003 package installed - is there any way I can preserve the office package when I don't have the serial if I want to re-install the unit?

4) The battery indicator (in windows) was missing, but I'm assuming I can just download the software and drivers, right?

Other than that I also have my T60P and I can already tell it will have to stay at home 70% of the time, this little unit is great!

makeitcount · #2 Post by **makeitcount** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 9:47 am

Ran PC Doctor 5 on it and everything passes EXCEPT for Video Memory Test which is listed as Failed. Under the detailed log file I get this:

Error at pixel 718 161: input color 00000808 not equal to output color 00002808.

Second (memory card specific test):

Error at pixel 992 0: input color 0000FFFF not equal to output color 0000DFFF.
Error at pixel 994 0: input color 0000FFFF not equal to output color 0000DFFF.
Error at pixel 998 0: input color 0000FFFF not equal to output color 0000DFFF.

Could this be the reason and if so are there any fixes for it?

ajkula66 · #3 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:00 am

You have a bad video card and are looking at mobo replacement, possibly repair...

makeitcount · #4 Post by **makeitcount** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:05 am

ajkula66 wrote:You have a bad video card and are looking at mobo replacement, possibly repair...

Crap, everything works fine other than that though.

How extensive is this as it's out of warranty? I bought it through ebay but got it around 40% cheaper than they usually go because it was from a newly registered user. It said nothing about a bad video card though. Would I be able to ask for a partial refund without having to return the item or what would you advice?

ajkula66 · #5 Post by **ajkula66** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:11 am

I'd send it back, but I'd file the claim with PayPal first for "item not as described"....if you've paid by any other means, apart from credit card, you're out of luck...

Trust me, there is no such thing as a cheap mobo replacement...not on X31, anyway...don't look for partial refund, just get your money back and that thing out of your house...

makeitcount · #6 Post by **makeitcount** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 10:53 am

ajkula66 wrote:I'd send it back, but I'd file the claim with PayPal first for "item not as described"....if you've paid by any other means, apart from credit card, you're out of luck...

Trust me, there is no such thing as a cheap mobo replacement...not on X31, anyway...don't look for partial refund, just get your money back and that thing out of your house...

Really? As I said I got it for 100 UK pounds (then plus 30 shipping), they usually go for around 170 atleast.

iamdmc · #7 Post by **iamdmc** » Wed Feb 06, 2008 3:14 pm

Not a terrible price, but you can get it for around $300CAD/USD lately.

Mobo replacements are not hard - they just take a long time (that is, if you want to do it yourself on the cheap), but I would save the hassle and just send it back tracked for refund. If you paid by Credit card and he doesn't want to refund you, use the best part of credit cards: charge back!

GL

makeitcount · #8 Post by **makeitcount** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 12:14 pm

It now shows the background as green (not black) when botting up the computer (even at the point where it asks me if I want to press the blue thinkvantage button to go into safe mode etc).

makeitcount · #9 Post by **makeitcount** » Thu Feb 07, 2008 4:17 pm

I forgot to add, in Pc Doctor 5 it fails the video memory test. Also when I touch it the screen line dissapears or changes (when I press on the laptop itself not the screen).

Does that give you any more clues to what it might be?

ajkula66 · #10 Post by **ajkula66** » Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:33 am

Once and again: bad video card=bad mobo that needs repair or replacement, more likely the latter.

pellicle · #11 Post by **pellicle** » Tue Feb 12, 2008 8:43 am

I agree

same thing happend with a 570 of mine, started to have 'stars' appearing on the display. My partner said she was too busy to return it till just after the thing died.

these things don't get better

unlike desktops there is no way to replace bits on these machines (except ram and HDD)

I got one from thinkpadworld with a 3 year warranty. Keep an eye on their prices, since you live in the UK you might be ok to deal with them as long as you use paypal and have a verified address.

I'm really starting to swear off x31 laptops

Just got my X31 (used) problems and questions. advice needed

Just got my X31 (used) problems and questions. advice needed

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