R51 screen problem

[jk1986]

Hi, I've arrived here from google after trying for hours to fix a few problems that have all started within the last few days on my thinkpad:

R51 running XP SP2

Main problem - the desktop now only covers ~2/3 of the screen, in the upper left corner, and then is mirrored below and to the right, forcing me to lower the resolution to 800x600 just to be able to read anything (still pretty small at that res!). This occurs right from the first IBM screen when you turn on the computer, however maybe 1 in about 15 times or so, the computer starts normally with the full screen being used??

2nd problem - this is much more minor, but access ibm does not work anymore, the menu comes up but I can only see the top bar, the main page stays blank. I've read about people having a similar issue on here, which is meant to be a conflict with the lastest version of flash (which I did install recently), although I've tried with flash uninstalled and with an older version (one of the later 8.x's) and have been unable to fix it.

3rd problem - (not sure if this is related to the second) when I access rescue and recovery during startup, and select the option to reformat (I think its system restore or something), I get a normal looking message about plugging in usb devices if you need them, and then a blank box with 3 radio buttons (as if you were selecting something) on the left and 3 buttons in the bottom right (as in next prev and cancel sort of thing), but no text at all.

After the screen started playing up I went to reformat which is how I found out about the other problems. My computer's due a reformat anyways, I've backed everything up I want and there's a lot of rubbish on there that never gets used.

Sorry for the really long post, but if anyone could offer any advice at all I'd be thankfull! Oh and let me know if you need anymore system info.

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

It seems to me that your video adapter is shot. The only cure is motherboard replacement.

Good luck.

[jk1986]

Yeah I was hoping it wouldn't be something that serious, but my local computer repair store confirmed it was the motherboard.

I've decided to move onto a much higher spec desktop, bought one from dell this evening, though am very sad to be ditching the thinkpad.

Thanks for the help!