A31 display problem?

[mikey_hackett]

Hello, I am a new member to this forum and must say I had no idea how much information can be found on here. I am very happy to find a support group like this.

With that said, I am having a display problem with my A31 Thinkpad. I have searched on here and found some great information but I haven't found anything pertaining specifically to my problem.

For a couple months now, I've been having some display issues, specifically random multi-colored wavy lines/dots on the display on initial start-up. I used to be able to turn off the power and open/close the lid a few times and restart it (this suggested a cable issue to me...)

Reading on here before I became a member, I read about LCD, Inverter, cable and MB failures. With that information and hoping it wasn't a MB problem, I purchased a used A31 screen assembly (LCD, inverter, cable and lid together) from Ebay. The seller claimed unit was tested and in perfect working order. He also verfied that the screen specs were identical to mine. However, after just installing it yesterday, I am still having the same issue. Multi-colored wavy lines/dots appearing on start-up?

Here is where it gets interesting... Last night after contemplating a little, I took the inverter from my original unit and put it in the used Ebay screen assembly. The part numbers were identical, so I thought why not try this out... The display started up no problem, success I thought. About a half hour later (after working perfectly) I decided to shut it down, then start it up again to see if the problem really was resolved. Unfortunately, the multi-colored wavy lines/dots are still there.

Anyway, after the screen starts up, the laptop works perfectly without any problems. It just seems that getting the screen up and running is the issue. I would like to repair this if at all possible, and I'm hoping to get some help...

[Harryc]

It's a loose GPU issue, common on that machine. A systemboard replacement is in order. The GPU/graphics chip can be reflowed if you are handy (and have a heat gun/thermometer). Do a forum search for 'reflow'.

[mikey_hackett]

OK, I searched for 'GPU reflow' and 'reflow' and the process looks somewhat involved. Would there happen to be a how-to on this somewhere?

I saw your project A31p and it looks like you sent the board out for the loose GPU issue.

I apologize for being very new with computers, I'm good at figuring out how things come apart and go back together but I have never re-flowed solder on a board.

More info. is appreciated if you don't mind...

[Harryc]

Well, I used Superior Reball for that service. It is $60 and they pay for return shipping. You send them the whole machine, minus your drives, battery, and AC adapter.

[mikey_hackett]

Looks like my laptop will be going out for GPU rework. Emails have been sent to a couple people who do GPU repairs. I'll post updates as I get them.

Thanks for the help.

[mikey_hackett]

I was informed on Thurs or Fri last week that my A31 GPU problem has been successfully repaired by Superior Reball. It is currently being shipped back to me and I can't wait to start using my laptop again.

Thanks to all the members here who helped me out. Much appreciated.