"Critical" Video driver update corrupted T400 Video Drivers

[lofquist]

I have a T400 type 6475 - P9U running windows Ultimate. This morning I noticed I had a message in the Thinkvantage Toolbox. The system had run a scan and determined that there were updates needed. Unfortunately I downloaded the two critical updates. One of them related the the video drivers. The installation hung with an error about ATI drivers not being present. I powered off and rebooted. Now the drivers are corrupted, can't access my second monitor, and the best resolution is 800 x 600. I tried to re-run the update and I get an access denied error, even if it is run as administrator. Lenovo support is no help, the warranty expired last November.



Any suggestions appreciated. I can download the ATI Catalyst Suite from Cnet, but I thought I would check in here first.



Thanks,

Brian

[Cigarguy]

Which program prompted you to update? I'm pretty sure Lenovo's Update did not do this. Reason I'm asking is I suspect it might be a virus/malware. Your machine type have an Intel GPU so why would an update manager prompt you to install a ATI driver? Downloading the ATI Catalyst Suite would do you no good for an Intel GPU.

[Brad]

Use system restore to simply roll back your system to the day before you ran the update.

A system chick on the Lenovo site for 6475-P9U shows the built in Intel GPU and not the ATI GPU.

Brad

[lofquist]

I thought about the system restore. It wasn't enabled. The Thinkpad has ATI Catalyst installed. I have a second T400 which is set up the same way. It also has the ATI Catalyst installed. In device manager for the display adapters it shows both the ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3400 Series and the Mobile Intel(R) 4 Series chipset Family.

[Cigarguy]

According to Lenovo's site.

ThinkPad T400 (6475-P9U)
P8600(2.4GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X4500HD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1GB Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 9c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

Based on this info, there is no way any ATI driver is installed.

[lofquist]

This is the program list for my thinkpad showing ATI programs installed:




This is the device manager for the other T400 that is set up the same way:



Both Show the ATI Catalyst installed. This laptop is one I bought on Craigslist last year. It is off a Corporate lease program and has been upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate from the original Vista.

so, I'm not sure what to do next with my problem T400. I tried downloading the correct Intel drivers. The video is still screwed up.

[lofquist]

Here is the program list:

[emeraldgirl08]

Do you have a W500 or a T400? In one of your pictures it shows a W500. Perhaps you might want to relay to the forum which model you are having issues with- a T400 or a W500.

[lofquist]

The label on the lower right corner of the screen is T400. Looking at the Computer Properties the computer name is W500.

[emeraldgirl08]

Can you enter BIOS and write the first 7-digits of the 'system serial number' from the BIOS screen? I am confused as to why your model type retrieves specs that do not include ATI graphics and yet your picture seems to show that you have the switchable graphics.

The 7-digits are a way to help us find out what your T400 was shipped out the factory with.

[lofquist]

System Unit Serial Number: 6475P9U R8RXCHT
System Board Serial Number: VQ10Y9CP066

[emeraldgirl08]

According to Lenovo your machine shipped out with specs that was posted by forum member Cigarguy.

One more errand for you. Do you know how to get to swtichable graphics controls in BIOS?

When you enter BIOS>>Config>>Display

When you get to display take a picture of the options that are shown. It would help us tremendously to know for sure what hardware you have in control of your graphics. I am not sure why your model number and what Lenovo has in their database are inconsistent with each other. The photo would be the final confirmation that you do indeed have switchable graphics.

[twistero]

Looking at the Computer Properties the computer name is W500.

The "computer name" is just that, an arbitrary name given to this computer for the OS. I can name my T61 "W700", and the top entry of Device Manager will say "W700". The serial number posted by the OP identifies the computer as T400 as already said.

[lofquist]

Here is the picture of the boot screen:



I have worked it out. I removed/disabled everything ATI. I downloaded the correct Intel display Driver from the Lenovo website for this machine type and installed it. It is working normally now.

I still don't understand why both of my T400 have/had both ATI and Intel display Drivers.

[emeraldgirl08]

The BIOS picture you posted shows an Intel-integrated graphics board only.

If you had a switchable graphics it would look like this VVV



Lenovo manufactured and sold variants of T400 with 'integrated graphics-only' or with 'switchable graphics' which would be indicated in BIOS as the picture I linked. For your machine you need the Intel graphics driver associated with the T400 which you found out.

Glad you got it up and running

[lofquist]

Thank you for your help! My other T400 has the switchable bios you pictured.

[Cigarguy]

If you got two laptops, one with switchable graphics and one without, and like me you swap HDD between same class machines, your scenario could easily happen.

[Abbey]

According to Lenovo's site.

ThinkPad tablet T400 (6475-P9U)
P8600(2.4GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1440x900 LCD, Intel X4500HD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1GB Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 9c Li-Ion, WinVista Business 32

Based on this info, there is no way any ATI driver is installed.

Thanks.. It's really helpful.