Thinkpads Forum

(please excuse me as english is not my first language)

I've got this problem that keeps coming back.

The desktop (or any gfx program, especially programs like Photoshop, Paint) kinda smears out. Mostly like in the attached picture, but sometimes the whole screen just cracks up in smeared pieces.
Reinstalled Windows severel times. Same problem.
Disabling Aero seems to fix it ... but I like that effect, also I mostly use my laptop for browsing, etc. So Im surprised if a brand new X200 cant even manage Aero? Or is it a hardware failure?!



EDIT: Full screen shot here: http://i36.tinypic.com/5meh40.jpg
Notice how the taskbar icons are not affected.

My relative's X200 did the exact same thing. I discovered that it only happens when the machine gets hot. It was most likely an issue with the video card getting too hot. I told him to send it in for repair and it came back without the issue any more. I suggest that you do the same.

I have to agree. Sounds like you might have a hardware issue there.

I must admit, it mostly happens when the maschine has run for some time, though clicking "refresh" often solves the problem for some time.

I get the same type of video corruption using Windows XP from time-to-time, but it only affects some of the standard window icons in all of the currently open windows (and nothing else). The icons are the Close, Restore and Minimize buttons as seen in the upper right corner of a window frame. The corruption randomly appears after the system has been running for some time and is "fixed" by simply re-booting. I have assumed that it's a memory or True Type caching problem that affects the Marlett system font. That is the font which is responsible for drawing those icons.

rkawakami wrote:I get the same type of video corruption using Windows XP from time-to-time, but it only affects some of the standard window icons in all of the currently open windows (and nothing else). The icons are the Close, Restore and Minimize buttons as seen in the upper right corner of a window frame. The corruption randomly appears after the system has been running for some time and is "fixed" by simply re-booting. I have assumed that it's a memory or True Type caching problem that affects the Marlett system font. That is the font which is responsible for drawing those icons.

Even though my desktop seems to get more affected by the corruption, I'll try to change the system font and let you know how it works out.
Disabling True Type might also be a suggestion. I'll get back.

Update. Added tonights desktop screen shot to original topic. Though its rarely that severe, I wonder if theres a "3D test program" able to run on the x200?
Also, is it possible to change the RAM used by the gfx card? Right now I think its permitted to use a little more than 1GB.. right?

That desktop picture appears to show a video memory corruption. I believe that the X200 has shared video memory so you probably should run a diagnostic on the system memory using something like memtest86+.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Jumme wrote:Update. Added tonights desktop screen shot to original topic. Though its rarely that severe, I wonder if theres a "3D test program" able to run on the x200?
Also, is it possible to change the RAM used by the gfx card? Right now I think its permitted to use a little more than 1GB.. right?

On my relative's X200, I force the machine to get hot to recreate the issue by forcing it to transcode a whole bunch of HD videos and left it running for 3 hours. Sure enough, the issue starts to appear. That's something you can try.

rkawakami wrote:That desktop picture appears to show a video memory corruption. I believe that the X200 has shared video memory so you probably should run a diagnostic on the system memory using something like memtest86+.

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Or I could just remove one of my to RAM sticks at a time, then the problem should vanish.. right?

Yes, I suppose that is possible. However, I would still recommend that a complete diagnostic be run on the system memory.

rkawakami wrote:Yes, I suppose that is possible. However, I would still recommend that a complete diagnostic be run on the system memory.

Removed my original Lenovo upgrade 1GB DDR3 sodimm module.
Since, I have not been able to reproduce the error.

I'll get back in a couple of days.
Also, Id like to test with a 2GB upgrade module (2 x 2Gb RAM). So Im currently ordering one.

Update: Running Memtest 86+ 4.0 on the 1GB stick.
7 passes, and no errors. How many passes would be considered adequate?

Also, I notice that memtest reports only 918 MB RAM. Supposably due to shared video memory, so how do I test the last 106(?) MB, used by gfx?

I generally allow a minimum of three complete passes before accepting the memory as "good". Looking through the online FAQ for memtest86+ ( http://forum.canardpc.com/showthread.php?t=28864 ), it appears that the program does not/cannot test the portion of memory set aside for the video controller. They do suggest to go into the system's BIOS and, if possible, change the amount of memory that is reserved for video.

If memtest86+ is not able to fully check the memory and there is a problem at the addresses normally used by the video controller, then about the only thing you can do is replace the 1GB module with another and see if the problem goes away. Since you have already taken those steps, you're on the right track.

TESTS: MEMtest+ and Passmark Burn In Test
Passmark Burn In Test: Memory test, Video ram test, 3D gfx test.

Removed the 1Gb stick, and ran tests. No errors found.

Installed only the 1GB stick and ran tests. No errors found.

Installed another identical 2Gb stick together with the first (total 4 GB RAM), no errors found.

For now I've not been able to reproduce the error, and think I have to consider bad or improper seated ram as the culprit.


EDIT: In my X200 there doesnt seem to be a BIOS "Adjust video ram" menu. Must be fixed.

Forgot to mention earlier that PC Doctor might be able to test the video memory: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-69537 , in case the problem comes up again.

rkawakami wrote:Forgot to mention earlier that PC Doctor might be able to test the video memory: http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-69537 , in case the problem comes up again.

Tried that allready with the 1 GB stick. No errors found.
But thanks anyway!!

Go into BIOS - > Config -> CPU -> Disable Intel VT-D Feature

Problem will be resolved immediately.

gav46 wrote:Go into BIOS - > Config -> CPU -> Disable Intel VT-D Feature

Problem will be resolved immediately.

Hello Gav, thanks for your input.

Even though I have Intel VT-D enabled, I havent been able to reproduce the error for a week.

Thanks anyway, best regards.