Thinkpads Forum

I've got a 770Z (the 8MB video model with a 1280 x 1024 screen) with an upgraded PIII 500MHz CPU and I'm running into video corruption problems every once in a while. I wonder if others who have attempted this upgrade have run into similar problems.

Configuration:
I've upgraded the CPU to a PIII 500MHz. I've replaced the built-in motherboard memory with a 128MB PC100 chip, and I've got two more PC100 chips in it to max out my memory at 512MB. I've edited the CMOS to get around the 127 error on boot and I'm running the PowerLeap cache utility on boot. I've just installed a clean install of Windows 2000 SP4 updated with the latest updates. I'm running DirectX 8.1. I'm docked in a SelectaDock III with an external monitor attached.

Problem:
Every once in a while when I boot up, my video display is corrupted. The display works, and I can still use the computer, but I get artifacts left behind from windows and borders: irregular dotted lines appear here or there. If I refresh my Desktop, usually the artifacts disappear, but as soon as I open a new window, they reappear (or different ones appear). The only solution is to shut down and reboot from cold. I find that it occurs especially when I choose to "reboot" and (as a result, I think) it often occurs when I install new software that requires a reboot -- if I allow the installer to automatically reboot, I end up with video corruption and have to shut down and boot again to get rid of it.

I know that there are a number of folks who have done the PIII upgrade on their 770 machines, and I'm trying to figure out if this is a common problem or specific to something in my configuration. I could imagine the problem being specific to the 8MB video 770Z model, but I guess it could also be memory compatibility issues or just a flakey video card (I bought the machine used and it might have had this problem before).

Any input or related experiences would be appreciated.

Phil.

I've noticed it only comes on when you have a PCCARD slot inserted. Atleast in my Frankenpad. I've tried the various ways to turn off the laptop. Shutdown, Hibernate, and Standby all can cause it. I've never had it come up if the PCCard was out of the laptop... perhaps see if yours is the same.

Mmmm...interesting.

I don't have any PC cards inserted, though when I am docked I do have two other "PCI" devices. I have a PCI network card and a PCI modem both installed. My hope was to use those instead of one of my several PCMCIA combo modem/network cards, since the PCMCIA versions do not seem to sleep/hibernate properly, and I want this machine to sleep for long periods, yet still be available as a print server and hard drive server (peer-to-peer) on demand -- and maybe even off-site, using Wake On LAN functions that apparently work in this config.

I wonder if it is something about the PCI bus configuration -- that would show up with PCMCIA/CardBus cards as well as with a docking station that had PCI cards installed.

I do not run into the problem hardly ever at all if I boot when undocked, and that means generally booting without any PCMCIA cards as well.

Phil.

I have seen this problem on my upgrade as well. The best solution is to change the desktop color from Hi-Color (16-Bit) to True Color (24 or 32-Bit).

Thanks Dgamer, I'll check that solution when I am home. I think that I may very well have my resolution set to Hi-color (16bit) instead of True Color (24bit), since I decided I wanted my undocked and docked screens to look identical, and the built-in 1280x1024 screen will only display Hi-color with the internal 770Z 8MB video chip. It will be interesting to see if that solves the problem.

On a side note, that is a nice 770Z machine you've got! That Voodoo 5 must look great on your 21" display. And from your login name, I've got to say that I'm curious what kind of gaming you do with that machine. I've got a Voodoo 5 in my 600X SelectaDock III, but at the moment don't have a video card in the SelectaDock III with my 770Z. I've been debating whether to get another nice card for the 770Z/SelectaDock as well, but I haven't yet had time to see whether I have a need for the ability to suspend/hibernate/warm-dock, which will be lost if I add a separate video card.

Phil.

There is also an Aureal Vortex PCI Sound Card (AU8830) in the Dock, IBM Flat Panel Speakers attached to the monitor, IBM LS-120 Super Drive, THINKPAD Secondary Hard Drive Tray with 5.1GB HD. I think I have all but 1 of the options. As for gaming. I have not enjoyed that aspect of my life as much recently, because it's more fun when you can share those experiences with someone close to you like a wife. But to answer your question, here is a small sample.

Ah. Now I understand the moniker!

[The image link you sent is broken, but I found the correct one (it is the same as what you were using, except without an extension):
http://www.datazap.net/sites/dgamer191084/SomeofmyGames
]

Phil.

dgamer wrote:I have seen this problem on my upgrade as well. The best solution is to change the desktop color from Hi-Color (16-Bit) to True Color (24 or 32-Bit).

If I do this on the 8MB video model of the 770Z, then I can only get 1024x768 screen resolution. The native screen res of the LCD is 1280x1024, and the video card will not produce better than Hi-color mode at that res. The main reason I got the 8MB model was for the larger screen and the better video capacity, so maybe there is no solution.

Thanks for the info anyways,

Phil.

Drop down to 1024x768, change to True Color and see if the Artifacts disappear. If the Artifacts disappear, it will be up to you to decide whether a modified Thinkpad 770z, and its owner can live together in harmony.

Well, after about a week of casual testing, it appears to me that your analysis and solution are correct.

I've had my resolution set to 1024x768 True Color for the past week and not seen the video corruption yet, including after restarting, updating, and installing new programs. Today, when I switched back to 1280x1024 for a while, I ran into the video corruption again after I restarted in order to finish installing a Windows Update file.

I'm extremely happy with my 770Z in every other way, so I guess I'll just get used to rebooting whenever I run into the video corruption. The corruption does not occur when I return from hibernation/suspend, so perhaps I'll get in the habit of maintaining long uptimes as well.

Thanks for your help Dgamer.

Phil.

I encountered this same problem (video corruption) under bizarre circumstances. First let me describe my system:

770Z w/DEVA, Toshiba SD-C2002 DVD drive, PCMCIA NIC, refurb 6600 mAh battery, 1280x1024 LCD, 40GB SAMSUNG MP0402H HDD.

Upgrades: PIII-850 CPU (running at 700), 512 MB PC-100 RAM. I followed the BIOS-editing instructions here after upgrading and I use PowerLeap to keep my L2 cache working. I've been running the system like that for a couple of weeks without any problems.

So this 770 is as pumped as it can get. I left it on my desk in standby today when I went to work. It was running on AC, main battery was disconnected. When I got back home, I saw that the LED indicating standby was off. Strange, I thought, it must have automatically hibernated. I powered it back on, and it gave me errors 163 and 127 on POST. Wierd, I thought. I powered down, and back on again. This time, only error 127. The BIOS interface came up and asked me to confirm the clock settings. Wierd. They were fine, so I said OK. Turns out I had to redo the BIOS edit (i.e. "02" to "0A") in order to get XP to boot at all. Did that, XP recovered from hibernation, and I had the same wierd dotted vertical lines problem as others on this post. Going to standby and back didn't change anything. So I had to shut down completely and come back from cold start. That worked, and so far so good. Strange stuff, eh? I just hope it doesn't happen often.

Cheers!

Andrew

Ya'll aren't alone. I've had the artifacts as well ever since I upgraded to 500 MHz several years ago. It's not bad, nor does it happen all the time, maybe 1 out of 3 reboots or hibernations. I've lived with this by not shutting off or hibernating. Mine has basically been on 24/7 for years. If I do shut off or hibernate I'll redo it till I get a clear screen.

:QUESTION:

What is "vodoo 5" ?

Thankyou.

Wizard.

A Voodoo 5 is a graphics card. The Voodoo 5 5500 64MB card is the fastest 3dfx card ever made (or second fastest, if you include the unreleased Voodoo 6), but it is now considered an old card, well-past its glory days. The card is no longer being produced. 3dfx was bought out by nVidia.

For specs, consult the Voodoo 5 5500 AGP specs page from 3dfxzone.it.

For more info about graphics cards you can use with a 600/770 ThinkPad, consult my Unofficial Graphics Card Compatibility List for the SelectaDock III.

Phil.

Red Flag wrote: 770Z w/DEVA, Toshiba SD-C2002 DVD drive, PCMCIA NIC, refurb 6600 mAh battery, 1280x1024 LCD, 40GB SAMSUNG MP0402H HDD.

Upgrades: PIII-850 CPU (running at 700), 512 MB PC-100 RAM. I followed the BIOS-editing instructions here after upgrading and I use PowerLeap to keep my L2 cache working. I've been running the system like that for a couple of weeks without any problems.

Did I read this correctly? A 770Z will really run a PIII at 700? I thought 500 was the max.

Tarkus wrote: Did I read this correctly? A 770Z will really run a PIII at 700? I thought 500 was the max.

FYI.

My 770Z is running a PIII at 800mhz