VISTA SUPPORT ATI MOBILITY RADEON THINKPAD X31

[normanrich]

Hi,
Would appreciate help. Have a Thinkpad x31, with whatever version of the ATI Mobility Graphics that comes with it (16Meg?) Current ATI driver unexpectly produces 'Blue Screan of Death' Non-Paged Memory in Ati3xx.dll.
Attempt to load Catalyst 7.2, or 7.3 results in 'hang' during ATI driver install. Catalyst fails in 'hardwaredetect.dll' Sent Vista dump to ATI who poliltely told me to contact my PC vendor.
Any help would be appreciated?

BtW, IBM still provides hardware support for my PC. Does Lenovo has a bug reporting mechanism?

Many thanks...i am stumped.

[si2001]

At the moment there are no certified drivers for the 7500 Radeon in Vista. Your probably getting the bluescreen of death because the drivers are incompatible with Vista. A solution or quick fix if you like to overcome this is to access the device manager from the control panel and update the driver. Now dont let vista choose the best driver for you. Choose the driver yourself from the list of gfx card drivers. Select the driver for the 9000 Radeon (based on the same chipset family as the 7500) that should come in the driver pack included with Vista (at least it did with mine - Vista Ultimate, as all installations are on the CD, the serial key is the only thing that activates that product so I would presume the 9000 driver should be on there). Vista may try to tell you something about it not being compatible but ignore it and go ahead with the update of the driver. This should now enable your 7500 to work properly in Vista including the external VGA port.

Simon Richardson
I.T. Technician/Network Support

[normanrich]

Thanks, will try what you have suggested. I did purchase Vista/Ultima as well.
Interesting that the Thinkpad did show up as a certified product. The Microsoft upgrade advisor also accepted the computer, stating only that the Video device would not support the 'aero' feature.
A few questions:
1. Does Lennovo take any responsibility when i purchase their product?
2. Lot's of press about ATI/Microsoft, I believe that ATI produces the video chip for the XBox/360. Was this issue not forseen?
Appreciate your suggestion, and will get back to you with the result.

[normanrich]

Simon,
Thanks. I was able to install the Radeon 9000 driver by following your instructions.
Unfortunately, several program, eg. 'the new york times' reader, do almost immediately still cause a BSOD in 'ati3duag.dll', attempt-to-refenece-invalid instruction-in-non-paged-area (sorry, i am paraphrasing).
Could I have installed the driver incorrectly. If i then put a 'standard vga driver in', programs like the NYT reader again work, although a whole series of other applications will not work at all. (eg. no support for accelerated 3d graphics)
Any other suggestions would be welcome, or where i any of the these three companies (ATI,Lennova,Micrososf) i could turn to for help.
Thanks for your assistance,
norman

[bill bolton]

Unfortunately, several program, eg. 'the new york times' reader, do almost immediately still cause a BSOD in 'ati3duag.dll', attempt-to-refenece-invalid instruction-in-non-paged-area (sorry, i am paraphrasing).

It works Ok for me on a T41 with an ATI 7500.

You might want to look through the messages in this thread, there area couple of different Radeon 9000 drivers, so make sure to chose the XDDM one....

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=37937

Cheers,

Bill

[si2001]

Norman, if you try the XDDM 9000 driver that Bill suggested this should hopefully give you better results. This is the one I selected manually after installation. I was unaware that other 9000 radeon drivers might cause the issue you are having.

In answer to your questions about Lennovo taking any responsibility, as far as I am aware the x31 was only ever certified by IBM/Lennovo to run the latest operating system available at the time, this being Windows XP. Therefore under trades description laws the product has to be fully compatible. As it is Microsoft themselves who state the thinkpad to be certified they are correct in stating this as they provide a standard VGA driver that works with the OS. They are under no obligation to activate the gpu's advanced features i.e. direct3d/opengl. Unfortunately the 7500 was only made to support DirectX7 at the highest. Microsoft state that to activate the advanced Aero feature of Vista will require a DirectX9c compatible GPU.

The chip/GPU in the Xbox360 is an advanced GPU by Ati (at the time of release over 1 year ago) which contained features that their next release of desktop PC cards will be supporting. Although the 360 GPU is only DirectX9c compatible and the new cards will be DirectX10 the 360 GPU uses many of the features that will be available for desktops. Ati are unlikely to produce a driver themselves for the 7500 in the X31 as these drivers were dropped from their updates after catalyst 6.6 was released. Most likely the only hope is if people like the guy who produces the Omega Ati drivers (he actually writes drivers for Ati and produces his own optimised drivers for free) releases a Vista driver for older GPUs. Until that time hopefully you will have some luck with the XDDM 9000 driver.

[normanrich]

thanks for writing.

i have some fairly strong opinions about what is happening.
there is a joint statement (Balmer &Ceo of ATI)about vista supporty on the ATI site. when i ran the Microsoft Vista compatibility program, it reported that that the x31 was certified to be Vista compliant. (some kind of whl) entry. The only warning was that with 16meg, the Aero interface would not work. What's surprising is that the Ati tool which also said that this machine is complaint (although they warned of limitied functionality) They would really like 32 meg of Video memory.

I do have 30 of this pc's in my own consulting company. for me this opens an issue that i am not sure most people understand. when you buy a pc of any kind going forward, unless you ask some very penetrating questions, you can't be certain of any support. I recommended the Thinkpad which my then current employer (D&B) accepted for the corporation, literally thousands of units. If that bid was done today the issue of onsite repair would have to be agreed upon. Seconly, if IBM/Lennovo had at the time said, btw we have no plans to support this on future operating systems, they would have been eliminated.

What really concerns me is the effort thus far to do the Vista upgrade. This is the 7'th, or 8'th critical problem.I am not sure how I should have known before starting the process, that this would be the result. Secondly, now strongly believe (but didn't understand it then) that upgrading from XP, without a clean install, is not really an option at all for Microsoft.

With respect to ATI, I would look to make all future corporate purchases from a PC vendor whose Video chip was made by a bigger/more realible company. (eg. Intel)

I worked, and know a person who is friends with Balmer. My friend is the CEO of EMC. My next step is to write a very polite letter to Balmer ,the Ceo of ATI, and a senior executive within Lennovo. I did think that this is an issue they need to address. Frankly, Microsoft has to have a much stronger program for any Video drivers vendors, given that they have the ability to crash the operating system through just one simple coding error.

Then, Aanother acquintance is Walt Mossberg. He writes a technology column for the Wall Street Journel.

Not sure of the correct numbeer, but if you google 'ati3duag.dll' you will find, many, many people reporting this problem. You will also learn that this particular ATI chip was used by Acer, Dell, Gateway, and Fujitso. Seems to be a fairly large number of people involved.

Finally, even through Vista apparantly provides an entirely new interface for ATI, the current driver seems to work 95% of the time, including 2D and 3D acceleration. Doesn't seem like it would be a giant effort to trap this particular error, given that it can be reproduced at will.

Will keep you posted. I now laugh when i see the Apple commercial. The one with Mr. Pc shaking before his 'vista upgrade operation', becuase 'they are going to totally change my innards'?

Last option, but not sure it is worth it, about 20 years ago my team sold parallel processors to a company named Pixar. It was then and is now headed by Steve Jobs. He would probably have something amusing to say about this.

I will keep you posted. Thats for your assistance.

[bill bolton]

Seconly, if IBM/Lennovo had at the time said, btw we have no plans to support this on future operating systems, they would have been eliminated.

Pragmatically, you are going to end up eliminating all laptops with that approach. No vendor can offer support for all future operating systems.

Secondly, now strongly believe (but didn't understand it then) that upgrading from XP, without a clean install, is not really an option at all for Microsoft.

Again pragmatically, that's been pretty much the case with every Windows operating system major version update so far, so there's really no great surprise there, no matter what MS say!

My personal opinion is that MS have not done themselves much of a favour with the way the have handled the whole Aero/Direct-X 9/Direct-X 10 thing in Vista. There are a lot of users who have adequately functional XP based business systems who are finding that an upgrade to Vista on their existing hardware is not really practical because of various GPU performance issues..... and they will remember the pain of that for a long time!

If you feel the need to blame someone, I suggest that you direct your ire at Microsoft, not the vendors of general business level computing systems.

Cheers,

Bill

[boon]

I tried the steps you guys mention and it works perfectly after I test on PC doctor 5. I also test all screen savers and works except for the screen saver Windows Energy. It says it needs a better video card or my video card doesn't support direct3d. Still not big of a deal but still wondering why.

I also managed to install thinkvantage button program that suppose to support only x40/x41 and later models. And it works on a x31! Except to change the display setting option does not work though. Which it is another no big deal.


the new thinkvantage programs seems better and easier to use than the old access IBM. Seems like almost everything is support on a x31 and I guess I am happy with it

[normanrich]

Microsoft found a Radeon Driver which seems to work pretty well.
At the moment i think Microsoft is actually attempting to influence Lenovo/ATI to get this resolved. (seems to be a lot of Thinkpad users in similar positions). We keep you posted.
Norman A. Rich
759 Bloomfield Avenue
Suite #334
W. Caldwell, NJ 07006
Fax 973-629-1155
May 2, 2007
Mr. Steve Ballmer
President & CEO, Microsoft Corporation
One Microsoft Way
Redmond, WA 98052-8300

Re: Upgrading To Windows/Vista

Dear Mr. Ballmer,
I have been a long and satisfied Microsoft customer.
The purpose of this note is to ask for your help. I have been attempting to install Vista/Ultimate on my companies IBM/Lenovo ThinkPad x31s (26734-U7), and have reached the point where I can proceed no further.
Vista/Ultimate is repeatedly crashing in module ati3duag.dll The crash is caused by ATI’s 32-bit Video Driver (Version 6.14.10.6547) which supports the ThinkPad’s ATI Mobility Radeon Video (0x4C59 – 16meg). The error is reproducible. It occurs immediately when initializing applications such as the New York Times Reader.
The reason I am asking your assistance is:
1. Thousands of notebook customers are currently experiencing the same problem upgrading to Vista (all versions). A Google search of ‘ati3duag.dll’, ‘ati2dual.dll’, ‘ati2mtag.sys’ shows this.
2. The three organizations who can resolve this problem (ATI, IBM/Lenovo, and Microsoft) have all declined, instead pointing to the other.
3. The Vista Upgrade Advisor reported my ThinkPad X31 was Vista compatible, only stating the installed Video processor would not support the ‘Aero’ capability. The Microsoft Video advisor reported the same.(see attached)
4. Efforts to install an updated driver from ATI have failed Ati’s Catalyst setup program crashes in the detecthardware.dll module. (attached) Although their chip sets are very similar across their product line, ATI does not appear to currently have a Vista compatible driver.
I am not sure what I could have done differently. Trouble tickets were issued to ATI, IBM/Lenovo, and Microsoft:
1. ATI responded that they offer no support to end users of their OEM products:
“AMD Customer Care for ATI products does not provide direct technical support for laptops/notebooks at this current time (telephone or email). If you require direct technical support please contact the system manufacturer of your laptop/notebook.”
2. IBM/Lenovo, the system manufacturer, stated that this appeared to be a software problem. They recommended that I re-install Windows/XP. They also pointed out that I purchased Vista/Ultimate from Microsoft, which is where they thought I should seek support.
3. Microsoft is currently addressing the problem under case number (SRX1033012007). The support team has confirmed that the root cause is the ATI Vista 32-bit driver. They have recommended a driver that is more stable for the short term. This has helped, the PC now only crashes every day or two. The issue now has to be escalated to someone within Microsoft who can interact with and influence AMD/ATI. However, the support has indicated that there is little more they can do:
“Please Note: The third-party product discussed here is manufactured by independent of Microsoft. We make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.”
One support engineer actually suggested that I submit a new feature request to Microsoft, or that I deal directly with ATI, the author of the faulty driver. (nothing required; overall they have been very helpful) Steve, I do not believe that my situation is isolated. If not corrected, cases like this will jeopardize the success of Vista. More importantly, this is really the first time I have been left with no solution because of a lack of co-operation between the hardware and software vendors.
The author Joe Heller coined a word for this, Catch-22. “catch-22 is any absurd arrangement that puts a person in a double bind: for example, a person can't get a job without experience, but can't get experience without a job.” ATI referred the problem to IBM/Lenovo, IBM/Lenovo to Microsoft, and Microsoft back to ATI. Reminds me of the scene from Catch-22 movie with Alan Arkin.
I have attached the detailed logs of the problem(s), and a copy of the Vista Upgrade Report.
Before this six week journey, I had been very satisfied with Microsoft’s products. Office 2007 is the latest example of a truly innovative product. Today I cringe when I watch the Apple commercial, the one where Mr. PC says, “I am having major surgery. All of my innards are being replaced. If I don’t make it, you can have my peripherals, Mr. Apple”.
If Microsoft concludes that this is not an isolated incident, the following are a few suggestions to get Vista back on track:
1. Get it stable – drivers are probably the biggest issue, especially Video drivers, in that they run in protected mode. Release a Vista SP1. The industry expects Microsoft to release a SP1. They will give Vista a second look. Despite the internal press, key drivers are missing. My Cell Phone no longer connected. My providers, Verizon/Motorola are not insignificant companies. Verizon (who had a revenue stream to protect) did step up with Motorola and produced a Vista compliant driver.
2. Make it easier to upgrade – in fact make a clean install the preferred upgrade path. In my situation, a clean upgrade freed up 15gig in Windows files alone. Add a capability to ‘Easy Transfer++’ (which also transfers applications) allowing interim backup to an external drive so that a second PC is not required for the upgrade. Create a tutorial that very quickly explains the upgrade options, and walks the users through the steps. Possibly provide an ‘express mode’ and a detailed mode. The fewer interactions in express mode, the better.
3. Remove the major irritants – for me, it is UAC. UAC needs a ‘terse’ mode and a ‘verbose’ mode. In addition, add an applications compatibility mode, it appears that UAC is the main reason that setup programs that worked under Windows/XP fail under Vista. (there was a one month period where Adobe’s Acrobat/Acrobat reader would not install under Vista because of a UAC related problem)
4. Change two things about your support organization. Give the engineer a much easier escalation path, and always head for the root cause, not a workaround. Vista has an excellent set of logging/analysis tools. My first experience with Vista required three days to complete the initial upgrade, the Vista setup stopped with a fatal error. The error was known, and occurred at precisely the same place in the process. Rather than finding the ‘root cause’, which was a device driver, we went through three days of ‘working around the problem’, (eg. turning everything off which might have caused the problem and uninstalling every program that was not Microsoft related).
In summary, I have been/am a huge fan of Microsoft’s. I have been using Microsoft’s products since the early 1990’s. I am not qualified to give you advice, but I can relate the specifics of my situation regarding Vista. Continuing to take an incremental approach of ‘one more quarter’ and things will be ok I think is dangerous approach for Microsoft. I own 32 ThinkPad x31’s. This experience has irritated me. Enough, that depending on the outcome, I am thinking hard about how to purchase computers in the future. The ‘buck’ passing has made me think. Do I need to know that my Toyota’s transmission was built in China by another company?
I have come away with a feeling of mistrust. The ATI web site has many, many words about Vista. It even claims to have a complaint driver for my PC. Not true. That approaches fraud. Therefore, the inclination is to never purchase another computer with an ATI video chip. Intel looks like a better bet. If I were you, I would immediately remove your ATI endorsement until they get their act together.
“AMD has invested heavily in hardware and software innovations so that consumers can enjoy new experiences that take full advantage of the breakthrough capabilities that Windows Vista delivers. From day one, AMD has played a key role in helping us design and validate the new driver model at the heart of Windows Vista. That knowledge has led to the development of extremely stable, feature-rich high-performance software drivers and hardware that really showcase the full power of the new Windows operating system”
---Microsoft® CEO Steve Ballmer.
When you examine the business model, you question, Why not purchase an Apple? Why not turn to one single accountable party? Every product has subcomponents. This may be the first product where the manufacturer states, “the hardware is working fine”, but your computer has crashed. It’s like telling the patient’s family that the operation was a success, but an infection killed the patient.
If necessary, I am willing to pay for the support needed to complete this Vista upgrade. After two months of collective effort, I hope to resolve this and stay with Vista. I understand that it is unlikely to be you, but I would appreciate a note (or an e-mail ‘normanrich@att.net’, or ‘nar@msn.com’, or Fax 973-629-1155) from someone in your office indicating the next steps. Anyone in your organization is welcome to call me at 908-625-3753. And, if Microsoft’s answer is, please call ATI. Please just say that. Then, I can then plan accordingly.
Personally, I have had the opportunity to watch and use Microsoft products, since the inception of the PC. These products have changed my life, many in a very positive way. You and Bill were and are an amazing team. Sort of like the Beatles in the music industry. The two of you did a lot more than create the world’s most successful software company; you moved the use of computer technology a quantum leap forward. The current time always seems the most perilous. Can Microsoft continue to produce outstanding products? The concern, if there is any, is about the technical role that Bill played so well (genius well), understanding the broad technology, what the product was used for, while simultaneously delving into the product’s technical details. Then Bill had the clout to set the technical product direction. (e.g. Excel didn’t need a ‘Save As’ function that was different than the one in Word, just an example) You guys made great things happen.
Steve, Microsoft needs to stand behind Vista. It has some terrific features. (the ones I love are attached) I have no desire to return to Windows/XP. I hope this driver issue can be resolved so that is not the only available option.
I hope that you get this and say ‘WOW’, this needs fixing.
Very truly yours,
norman rich

Vista Benefits over Windows/XP

1. The system boots and shuts down in ½ the time required by Windows/XP.
2. The integration with digital devices is excellent.
3. The performance logs easily locate application bottlenecks. This same hardware seems to run much faster.
4. The system (with the exception of the video driver) is actually more stable. The self-reporting capability is very good. Vista itself now refers me to the ATI web site after every system crash.
5. Ready Boost has improved system performance at very little additional cost.
6. Many of the utilities I had to purchase are now included in the Operating System (eg. ‘Snipit’) For my use, the only crucial ones that are still missing is a utility to save the contents of the clipboard (eg. Spartan Clipboard), and a general purpose password utility. (eg. Roboforms)
7. System update – I no longer worry about it, it just completes.
8. Search – saves lots of time, once you become familiar with it.
9. The visual affects – do not know how I spent all of that time in front of a screen without a “Vista” to enjoy. I have found several more Vista’s from Hamad Dawish, the graduate student who you hired to produce the Vista desktop backgrounds.
10.
VISTA UPGRADE ADVISOR
IBM ThinkPad X31



MICROSOFT VIDEO TEST



Vista System Crash
Page_Fault_In_NonPaged_Area
(BLUE SCREEN)
Ati3duag.dll
Page_Fault_In_NonPaged_Area
(0xfffffffe), (0x00000000), (0x951D6B91),(0x00000000)
Ati3duag.dll Address 951D6B91 Base at 951C0000

Problem signature
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033

Files that help describe the problem (some files may no longer be available)
Mini042907-02.dmp
sysdata.xml
Version.txt
Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer.

Extra information about the problem
BCCode: 100000cf
BCP1: 9244F9CC
BCP2: 00000000
BCP3: 9244F9CC
BCP4: 00000000
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1
Server information: c391c52e-e94d-4f5c-aa38-1f0d44bb804e


Second Vista System Crash Example
Problem signature
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
Files that help describe the problem (some files may no longer be available)
Mini042707-01.dmp
sysdata.xml
Version.txt
Warning: If a virus or other security threat caused the problem, opening a copy of the files could harm your computer.
Extra information about the problem
BCCode: 100000cf
BCP1: 9284F9CC
BCP2: 00000000
BCP3: 9284F9CC
BCP4: 00000000
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 256_1
Server information: d8d57208-6bf5-4648-b9db-c3cfc24c2a48

ATI CATALYST Driver Installation Crash

Problem Event Name: APPCRASH
Application Name: InstallManagerApp.exe
Application Version: 3.0.608.0
Application Timestamp: 45c3d2f9
Fault Module Name: DetectionManager.dll
Fault Module Version: 3.0.608.0
Fault Module Timestamp: 45c3d0df
Exception Code: c0000005
Exception Offset: 0001f108
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.256.1
Locale ID: 1033
Additional Information 1: b8e7
Additional Information 2: 44fc21a4c374764063d607999c6690a2
Additional Information 3: 206f
Additional Information 4: 5775207edeea8e57735bbac873efbda5

[normanrich]

Thanks Simon, could not find the driver on the CD, but finally found a driver on radarsync.com , or drivershq.com
For now, all is well. No BSODs, all apps work.
And interestingly ATI, and Lenovo are now responding, so hopefully an 'official' 32-bit Vista driver will be forthcoming.
thanks again,
norman

[wackydan]

Hi Norm.

I have to echo the thought of another above....

"Seconly, if IBM/Lennovo had at the time said, btw we have no plans to support this on future operating systems"

An x31 is an old old machine.... I've lost track of when that was produced, but It is probably circa 2003.

It is a stretch for anyone to think of hardware as old as the x31 "officially" supporting Vista... and you'd find that same statement could be applied to your Dells and HP's. Will it run it? Yes... but not with out the issues you are seeing.

[normanrich]

This x31 is 24 months old.

What is surprising and not intuitive is that this machine (which has 1gig/memory, upgraded hard drive), and do a clean Vista install, it actually performs better than on XP. (shorter boot/shutdown, handles more silmultaneously apps)

Except for Video memory, the system exceeds Vista specs.

Anyhow, it all turned out well. Microsoft, AMD, and Lenovo have been very responsive.

[msilva]

@normanrich:

As I didn't find any suitable driver for my Thinkpad X31 on Radarsync.com or DriversHQ.com, I wonder about what kind of driver you found there ?
Windows Vista performs well on the X31 - but even with the Microsoft Radeon 9000 driver installed I don't have any 3D-functionality available. The Mobility Radeon M6 is based on the Radeon 7000 (no hardware T&L) - so even on Windows XP, this GPU (up to Radeon 9250) is no longer supported by actual Catalyst-drivers (6.6 and above).
If you have any news concerning vista-support, please let us know !

[normanrich]

Hi,
I've actually learned more about this than i wanted to know. The Lenovo site stated that the X31 was Vista compatible, so I upgraded. (also had lot's of other Vista drivers on the X31 Driver Matrix. However, the video driver there the Video caused BSODs in ati3duag.dll)
So i initiated support cases with Microsoft, Lenovo, and AMD.
Microsoft recommended two things, an Omega Driver .330 which did work much better, and a Microsoft recommended their '9000 WDDM driver' (which I have been running for some time). The way i installed the Microsoft driver was via device manager, update driver, unchecked 'show compatible devices', and expanded the ATI Tecnhologies folder...all this was just from the Vista installation, and selected 'xxx 9000 XDDM'. DXDiag reported no problems, and apps like Google earth that require 3D accelaration work fine. However the 16meg in the video chip will not support Aero.
AMD came back and recommended a 'beta' Vista driver, and was told to select Randeon 7500. This driver worked as well.

It may be a once time problem, Microsoft has introduced a product (Vista, that requires lot's more resources, and a rewrite of most of the drivers. As you know, AMD/ATI produced the M6 chip set way back in 2001. However, my X31 is only 24 months old.
AMD/Lenovo have now elevated this to their engineering departments, and hope to have an 'official' answer in the next two weeks.
For now, the 'xxx 9000 xddm' driver appears to be running just fine.
Hope this helps. My issue was, where do you turn to for support? Initially ATI referred me to Lenovo, who in turn referred me to Microsoft. Microsoft then referred me to ATI.
But for now, machine is running just fine.

[si2001]

Hi Norman, glad your having some luck with the XDDM 9000 driver and it's encouraging news that you've managed to get through to Microsoft/AMD-ATI/Lenovo. Hopefully we may have an official driver of some sort made available soon.

All the best

[unrortit]

Hi Norm.

I have to echo the thought of another above...

An x31 is an old old machine.... I've lost track of when that wasproduced, but It is probably circa 2003.

It is a stretch for anyone to think of hardware as old as the x31 "officially" supporting Vista... and you'd find that same statement could be applied to your Dells and HP's. Will it run it? Yes... but not with out the issues you are seeing.

your comments do not resolve the practical aspects of the
situation,fact remains if i can load vista,activate and all ready up and running on the internet in approx 37 minutes from the trusty +proven ol 600x tp,and runs perfectly stable with decent speeds,with absolutely no glitches whatsoever.there are even older spec machines that have tamed vista too bearing the facts i cannot fathom why the newer spec thinkpad x sereis
cannot tame vista also!
which by definition it ought to(period)
i say pursue the matter,don't give up if microsoft cannot help then
get a refund or swap the x sereis for a well looked after 600x(650mghz+up)
which are damm lot more robust and better supported too.

[normanrich]

ati resolved the problem. long story short, ati never produced a vista driver for the x31, never will.

here is the interesting part, although Vista does look for a valid newly architected video driver, if it can't find one, it will ACCEPT an XP driver. (at least for now)
the problem is that the XP driver on the IBM/Lenovo site is not the most recent one available. The ATI 9000 XDDM driver is. It has worked perfectly since i installed.
BTW, i believe that this is the 15'th birthday for the Thinkpad.