t42 screen red lines

[hcrude14]

Hi, I have been lurking a while,and have decided to join because of the knowledgable goup of members here.
I purchased a used T42 15" about 2 years ago off ebay,The unit is in prestine condition,I only took it on a trip once about a year ago to access my emails,It worked fine.It had been shut down for about 2 months and when I went to turn it on here is what happened.
1 The screen has red lines on it running horizontly they are about 1 inch long,and in straight vertical lines.
2 I kept shutting it off and turning it back on but the lines come up every time.
3.When I first start it up,It has a mess of colors on it, little squares,but it goes to the screen as discribed above.
4.the battery charges and holds what I think is a good charge.

Any suggestions,Please help.

[Johan]

Welcome to the forum!

I am sorry that it is such troubles which has brought you here - but, well, that's the case for many new members... they don't show up just to solute their trusty ThinkPad's, but typically because of having problems and seeking solutions...

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but the issue you are reporting could (but need not) be caused by the very common "loose GPU" problem, which many T40/T41 and T42's have been hit by, and which has to do with a poor soldering process in the manufacturing of the ThinkPad, often in combination with a too rough handling of the ThinkPad; read more about this problem in the sticky T42 shuts down when I move it. Before however jumping to conclusions, please try (if you're able to) the following:

1. Gently apply pressure in the palmrest-area (not too hard) when you see the graphics garbage; does applying pressure change anything?

2. Try connect an external monitor to your T42 (via the VGA-output); how does the image look on the external monitor?

The good news: If your T42 turns out to be (partly) defective, then the motherboard may have to be replaced, but this has been done by many owners and/or by many expert ThinkPad-members, so absolutely: Don't give up hope; in the worst case you will have to invest a bit of money to bring your T42 back alive - and for many more healthy and happy years! We are actually very lucky to have amongst us the members RealBlackStuff (in the US) and poshgeordie (in the UK) who run the The Board Room – Replacement T4x R5x Boards in US; try contact them for help, if it turns out to be necessary. By the way, used T42's can often be bought very cheap at the form.thinkpads.com Marketplace so hang around there for good deals - with members who know what they are selling (in contrast to the many people on eBay). You may of course also put up a "WTB" (Want To Buy) or "LF" (Looking For) advertisement at the Marketplace... it's entirely free!

PS: I am an avid T42 (and T42p) owner and user, and maintain a small "fleet" of T42's for family and friends; they run and run and run... provided being taken well care of, so again: You can look to the future without fear!

PS2: I see that you live in Maidstone, Canada; were you lucky to see the spectacular Aurora last night (Jan, 24)? Many have reported these to be of simply overwhelming beauty... see a few images e.g. at Space Weather's site --> images here -it's the beauty of Nature simply beyond words!

Johan

[hcrude14]

Hi Johan,
Thank-you for the reply and the suggestions,I did try putting gentle pressure on the palmrest but it didn't change the lines.
I will try rounding up a VGA cable tomorrow to try the a second screen.
The bottom third of the screen is crystal cleer with no lines on it,the top two thirds is where the lines are.
I have read on this forum regarding the bad solder joints and maybe this is the problem?
I will be saving my pennies to buy a motherboard from the People you suggested if that is what it turns out to be. The computer case,keyboard ect. is in top notch condition so I will be trying to restore it and keep it.

Maidstone is located in Western Canada where we have spectacular what we call nothern Lights displays but
I did not witness the display Last night,People did call into the local Radio station regarding this event today.
PS:What is the difference between the T42 and the T42p?
PS2: Did the T43 issue follow T42 and roughly when was it released?

Thanks again.

[poshgeordie]

Hi and welcome from myself.

The bottom third of the screen is crystal cleer with no lines on it,the top two thirds is where the lines are.

Mmm I'm not sure about this - it's almost too regular patterning to be an unsoldered GPU.

The first thing to do is to try it with an external monitor. It's not fool proof but a clean picture is encouraging.

The other problem I'd look into next is to make sure the VGA cable is properly plugged into the motherboard. it means stripping the Thinkpad but it's not too difficult to do. This document will help you.

Re the Board Room, I'm not sure what stocks we have, but send RBS (Dominic) a PM and he'll check and get back to you. You'll need to send him the motherboard FRU (part number) which is located by removing the underside RAM cover, and FRU is on the board under the RAM.

Northern Lights...we're almost far enough north here in north east England to see them apparently but it keeps raining!

[hcrude14]

hi,
The lines are displayed on external monitor,I will check for a diconnected VGA cable next. and
also obtain the motherboard FRU number.
Again the bottom 1/3 of the screen is crystal clear?
Thankyou for the trouble shooting suggestions and the link showing the procedure for stripping the t42.

[poshgeordie]

It'll almost certainly be an unsoldered Graphics Chip. I've never seen the exact symptom you describe but with nearly 700 solder ball connections it'll be a particular combination of problem balls.