X260: BSOD or display errors when held by one corner

[jimlopez_x]

Hi everyone, I'm new here in the forum, I'm Jim from the Philippines. I just bought a Thinkpad X260 and I absolutely love it, coming from a MacBook Pro late 2013 model. I do a lot of field work and this form factor seems perfect.

I just have this one issue: whenever I handle my X260 with one hand from the corner of the system to the left of the touchpad and at the underside nearest to the HDMI and mini Display Port, the system freezes, I see lines on the display, or it gives a BSOD before restarting. It feels terrible to experience this since I love the machine so much.

I learned how to handle it more gently, and always use two hands to handle it unless folded, but then, this is supposed to be a Thinkpad right? Please let me know if anyone else experiences this, if this is supposed to be normal, or if I have to have this fixed.

Cheers,
Jim

[Thinkpad4by3]

There is an issue with the motherboards. Likely, there is a trace in the motherboard on one of the data line corrupting the signal and the system BSOD's. A mobo replacement is your only option. Since it is a huge issue, I recommend not because it will be expensive and if you can live with it, you don't need to.

[jimlopez_x]

Thank you very much! That was a quick reply

[RealBlackStuff]

That very same problem existed, and still exists, with many laptops, not just ThinkPads.
Even though they look (and are mostly) sturdy, just a 1mm or 2mm "bend" in the motherboard is enough to upset connections.
If still under warranty, get the motherboard replaced.
Just remember: NEVER ever lift ANY laptop by a corner!

[jimlopez_x]

Thanks RealBlackStuff, perhaps I have to lower my expectations a bit... didn't have any problems like that with my Mac, though I did have to replace its logic board a year ago I might have been breaking the board all along and it was just good at hiding an underlying problem...

My X260 doesn't seem to have an oversensitivity problem when I move it around, it's only when I lift that corner, which I only inadvertently did twice. Now I keep a mental note that when I have to carry it around open, I hold it with two hands by its sides near the hinge. Replacing it is too costly at the moment, and my replacement warranty has lapsed. It hasn't worsened anyway, which would be the case to have it repaired.

My only question now is will it get any worse?

[RealBlackStuff]

The common X240 is based around a reinforced plastic keyboard bezel, which makes it reasonably sturdy.
The rare X240s however, has a metal/alloy keyboard bezel, which makes it quite a lot sturdier (I have worked on both).
The same can probably be said for the (common) X230 and (rare) X230s (I only know the X230).
AFAIK X250 and newer don't have an s-model (which was mostly sold only in Japan), so they too will be based around less sturdy material.
Mind you, they are tanks compared to throwaway products like Ideapads, Acer, Toshiba. etc.

So as long as you take good care of your ThinkPad(s), they should last you many years.

[kuba130000]

Hello.
I have worked at this problem and probably get a solution on my x240.
When you lift up your laptop holding by a corner the MOBO is bending. RAM is held by a plastic slot and when MOBO is bending the RAM is like unplugging from MOBO but it's still attached to the slot. Sometimes replugging RAM or using strong adhesive tape (tape can not conduct electricity) can fix the problem but I have tested it only on two x240's.
Sometimes when you squeeze both top and bottom of your ThinkPad (or other notebook) it's happening just like holding by the edge.


I hope you can understand me - the message may not be clear due to language difficulties.

[madicetea]

Hmm, now I am tempted to hunt for an X250s next time I go out. I did see an X240s over the summer, and I had a chance to appreciate the change to a sturdier material. It was somewhat reminiscent of when I had a T60.

While I have heard of the corner-problem with X250 computers as well, I have been yet far lucky to not only not see this in my own two machines -- but to have mashed potato and sauce spill out of a lunch container all over (and slightly onto the inside of) one of the x250 machines.

An extensive and nightmarish cleaning process later, I'm relatively sure my computer will not short on dried potato, and I'm still using the machine.

[volhovm]

When you lift up your laptop holding by a corner the MOBO is bending. RAM is held by a plastic slot and when MOBO is bending the RAM is like unplugging from MOBO but it's still attached to the slot. Sometimes replugging RAM or using strong adhesive tape (tape can not conduct electricity) can fix the problem but I have tested it only on two x240's.
Sometimes when you squeeze both top and bottom of your ThinkPad (or other notebook) it's happening just like holding by the edge.

I had the same issue with my x270, reproducible each time I would hold my laptop one hand on the left side. So I replugged RAM and put some adhesive tape on it, and it seems to solve the issue!