Thinkpads Forum

Hy,
several people here on this board got this problem:

Whenever you connect a external Screen to the VGA-Port of the Ultrabase you get interferences all over the screen. The problem goes away if you connect the screen directly to the x60s, so it seems like a problem with the ultrabase.

One solution I found here was to raise the refresh-rate, this improved the qualitity but on good screens you still get the anoying lines, so this solution doesnt satisfy buyers of a 1500$ notebook.

So I phoned with the IBM-Support and they told me the following:
Exchanging the Ultrabase doesnt help (I heard this from several people all over the internet: Exchanging the ultrabase doesnt fix this problem). But IBM got the solution: The whole Systemboard has to be exchanged because they have to put on a new Version of the Graphics-Chip onto it. They also told me that this would definitly fix the "Fan is always running when on AC" problem.

The big problem is: They havent got enough systemboard yet. So phone to IBM and tell them your problem and register for one Systemboard. You get a Code which you have to keep and then phone back to IBM in about 6 weeks. Then they tell you how to exchange the systemboard.

I already did this and I hope IBM is able to provide me with a new systemboard as this will fix two errors which are both very annoying.

So if you got one of these two errors phone to IBM and ask them how about the systemboard-replacement. In Germany this works and if it works in Germany it should also work in the US.

So if anybody tried this please share your experiences.

Greetings from Germany
TO

I want to use a larger monitor when I'm at my desk, and wanted to make certain that it works well with the x60 base.

Other than this problem, I've heard of some where the orientation of the screen can sometimes change.

Has anyone been using this set-up at their desk and does it work well otherwise?

gdavis, I use an X60s with a Dell UltraSharp 1703FP at its native resolution of 1280 x 1024, connected to the X6 UltraBase. I use both screens simultaneously and have no problems.

theomega, do you have more information on which system boards are affected? What ThinkPad model do you own? Is the repair something you can do yourself or do you have to send the ThinkPad in?

FredFromNYC

thanks for the feedback on the external monitor. I assume that it is set up as not the primary screen in order to avoid what I've heard is some strange software conflicts with filling the screen fully, some software control screens and also auto orientation confusion.

Is your Dell the secondary monitor?

My System ist from November 2006, IBM told me you cant do it yourself you have either sent it to IBM or go to a IBM-Parner-Store. Futhermore it seems as all models got this problem, but many people dont use a ultrabase or dont recognize the problem of the lines on the screen.

I don't see a difference between plugging the external monitor into the ThinkPad directly or into the UltraBase. Maybe my eyes are not sharp enough.

I use the internal ThinkPad display as the primary monitor and the external Dell display as the secondary monitor. However, I have tried it the other way around and it works too.