T400 grapics distortions / artifacts [pic]

[r3solv3]

Hello everyone, I have a refurb T400 with a 90 day warranty. I'm having a couple issues with the laptop.
The screen has this bizare interlacing distorition going on when that happens after a little usage.

See..... http://i41.tinypic.com/vywrww.jpg

I updated the driver with the latest one from the lenovo site and it had no affect.
The issue happens with or without aero on.


I am also having 2 other issues.

1. The trackpoint nub randomly decides to go veering off even when my arms are completely off the laptop,
and sometimes It will start when I'm using it and I'll have to fight it to get to where I'm trying to point.
Any suggestions?

2. The sd card slot that is in one of the express card slots shows up in device manager but does nothing when an sd card is inserted,
LED doesn't light up and nothing happens in windows. I updated the driver from the lenovo site. any suggestions?


The nearest service center is quite a drive away. About an hour and though a town that is a notorious speed trap
and I drive a red sports car so I'd rather avoid the trip if possible.

Admin Message: Please read the Rules of the Road here about in-line image size limits!

[jayton4]

Is it still within the time period to get an exchange?

The trackpoint problem can probably solved with replacing the keyboard.

Test the expresscard SD reader on another computer to confirm that it isn't defective. Also, check that it is capable of handling SDHC cards.

The video issue is the most troubling. I do not see whatever it is you are seeing in this picture that you posted, which would lead me to believe that the problem is in the LCD panel itself.

You may need to learn how to control your driving speed a little better and make it to the service center. To avoid getting a laptop repaired under warranty because you fear police may clock your speed is kind of silly to me. Just use cruise control.

[r3solv3]

Check the top of the screen shot, I thought it was the lcd until I took a screen shot and it showed up there.
The sd reader is screwed into the slot and I don't have another thinkpad to test it on.

I'd rather not go though an exchange with newegg because their return shipping is horribly slow and there is no guarantee that the model I get back will be as nice as the one I have currently.

[jayton4]

Ok, I see it now. I would try to determine if it is a software/driver issue or if it is a hardware issue.

To rule out a software/driver problem, try doing a factory system restore or boot to a Ubuntu live cd and see if the problem still exists.

It could be a bad LCD cable or the screen.


That is interesting, I have not ever seen an expresscard slot or card that was secured with a screw.

[Aiwi]

The display issue is common on T400 and nothing to worry about.
To solve the problem do either of the two:

Option 1. Make sure you have 2 equally large RAM modules (e.g. 2x4GB or 2x2GB, not: 1GB+2GB), it will fix the problem.

Option 2. Disable Intel VT-d in the BIOS settings

Lenovo source:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-74739

[r3solv3]

The display issue is common on T400 and nothing to worry about.
To solve the problem do either of the two:

Option 1. Make sure you have 2 equally large RAM modules (e.g. 2x4GB or 2x2GB, not: 1GB+2GB), it will fix the problem.

Option 2. Disable Intel VT-d in the BIOS settings

Lenovo source:
http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail. ... MIGR-74739

Brilliant, thanks Aiwi!