T61 15.4" mobo replacement as a result of black screen+lines

[adaromry]

Help needed!

I have the Thinkpad T61 6460-7EU 15.4" laptop, Windows 8 pro, 8 GB ram, latest bios and lenovo updates installed.

This morning, turning on my computer, I got a black screen with a thin horizontal white line crossing the center of the screen, following with very thick vertical lines, mostly in blue, changing a bit while the startup process runs.

I tried connecting the side VGA outlet to an external screen before startup, resulting with a better but still damaged picture, but at least I could recognize the windows startup logo, which means the problem is not the memories or HD or else it wouldn't reach the windows at all. It doesn't seem to be the screen or else it wouldn't have a problem with the external screen.

I suppose it is the GPU or Motherboard. As I understand, the GPU is soldered to the MOBO so in this case it is the same solution - replacement of the MOBO and GPU.

1. Does anyone recognize the problem and know a solution before I replace the MOBO?
2. I work with SolidWorks CAD software which needs Quadro FX graphics, does anyone know if I can install a T61p motherboard (with Nvidia Quadro FX 570M GPU) in my T61 case (currently with Nvidia NVS140 GPU)?

Thanks

Adar

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.
Your laptop has a faulty nVidia GPU.
Only way to fix is by replacing the motherboard.
If you must have discrete graphics, you need to look for a motherboard that is inside (or came out of) a machine that was built in 08/08 or 08/09 (2008/August or September).
Anything older, and you run the same danger of a faulty GPU.
Pick any one of these motherboards, they all fit in:
Intel ............... Nvidia NVS140M .Nvidia FX 570M (T61p)
42W7651 Merom 42W7652 Merom 42W7653 Merom
42W7875 Penryn 42W7876 Penryn 42W7877 Penryn
Preferably a Penryn board, which is the newer version.
You can try our Marketplace.

Alternatively, I have a complete 15.4" T61 (6460-08U) with nVidia NVS140M from 08/09 for sale, that is in near-mint condition.
My machine has a T9300 CPU (2.5GHz), but is otherwise identical to yours.
PM me if interested.