Intermittent crash on T60 w/ x1400 (corrupted video, BSOD)

[giulio.vezzelli]

Hello,

I'm experiencing an annoying issue with my T60.

It appears to be related to the power state (eg. resuming from standby, then going on battery power ... any combination of these).

Graphics get corrupted, then the machine hangs with a wide variety of blue screens (always different, not reconducible to a single software module).

It may be related specifically to ATI PowerPlay, but I have no real evidence. It also appears that PowerPlay can't be really disabled, because even if I disable it via CCC the power state of the GPU changes when going to battery.

Anyone has similar problems ?

I have a screenshot demonstrating the issue.

http://www.mytwocents.it/tpcrash.png

Thanks.

[rmcder]

The suspend/hibernate problem with ati and, I think, restricted driver is documented. Partial solution is to use the Catalyst 7.12 drivers which are supposed to at least fix the suspend part of the problem.

Best way I've found to get those drivers is to first install ENVY and then read ALL the FAQ directions from the website. Important: Do NOT recheck the restricted driver box after loading 7.12 - The Restricted Driver Manager will indicate that the drivers are being used, but the box is unchecked; leave it that way!!!

If you happen to have a 1680x1050 screen, you may only get 1400x1050 resolution. I'm in the midst of dealing with that problem right now.

[giulio.vezzelli]

Thanks for the answer, rmcder.

I think you assumed I'm using Linux, but I'm not.
The screenshot is from XP. The issue is present in Vista too. I tried a variety of drivers, always the same.

Actually, I also use Linux and never noticed the issue. (I don't use it often but I experimented suspend/resume and it seems to work with latest restricted drivers).

Regards.

[At0mAng]

Did you try the latest ATi drivers? I had the same problem with some odler drivers and then tried the latest ATi drivers using a driver tool to modify them so they work with mobile ATi cards. It took care of the problem. Try here for the mod tool http://driverheaven.net/modtool/

[rmcder]

Thanks for the answer, rmcder.

I think you assumed I'm using Linux, but I'm not.

Oops! Forgot where I was!

[SHoTTa35]

you said it happens in Vista but with the default Vista drivers? I'm using T60 x1400 now and i don't get any problems with the default Vista drivers. I usually never install Lenovo or ATI drivers as long as Microsoft (windows update) ones are available.

[giulio.vezzelli]

Good point, Shotta35.

For a while I thought, when using Vista, that Microsoft drivers solved the problem, but actually didn't. The problem just showed less often (or maybe not, the frequency of its appearance is quite random). But I can tell that the problem didn't show in the first months of use (and I was running Microsoft drivers, old BIOSes, etc).

Can you tell me which version of BIOS you have ? I have the latest one.

I feel it has something to do with modifications Lenovo did to the BIOS, because the T60p had VERY SIMILAR problems with the FireGL chip and disabled PowerPlay in the BIOS - then reenabled it when they fixed the problems.

Unfortunately, it seems not possible to downgrade the BIOS.

By the way, I opened a service request at Lenovo; hope they can help.

[SHoTTa35]

well i'm using the latest one also. the guy i got it from downloaded everything from system update and applied them all So yeah, bios is 2.19 now from September 07.

Since you are using XP just uninstall all ATI stuff and then remove it from the device manager, reboot and then install the driver using device manager by selecting the INF. Reboot again and see how it goes.

[lamadra]

I made a search in this forum because i have the same problem as well. I face this problem right after i did a system update on Think Vantage. Apparently, after I disabled PowerPlay on CCC, i don't have that problem anymore but it's too early still for me to say this since i only put this machine on hibernation once since i disabled the Powerplay.

Besides having display problem (heavy noise on waking up), my laptop fail to get into hibernation mode when i close the lid, which wasn't a case before i ran the update. I almost fried my laptop because of this when i put it into my bag not aware that it is still running (the whole machine was really hot when i took it out!)

[giulio.vezzelli]

Thank you very much for your feedback, lamadra.

I think we are isolating the problem: I don't use System Update but regularly download updates from the site, so that explains why I didn't have the issue in the beginning but just some months after I began using the notebook. I think the cause is probably a BIOS update.

You confirm you used to see the same video "noise" as in my screenshot ?

I also am quite sure it's related to PowerPlay, but why can't I disable it ?

Shotta35 : I tried lots of times to remove and reinstall drivers, with various methods, even on different operating systems. Always the same issue.

Now, I'd LOVE to disable PowerPlay. Why does my system seem to just IGNORE my setting for PowerPlay ? It happens both on Vista and XP.

Thanks to all of you for your feedback, it's very appreciated.

Regards.

EDIT : For Shotta35: you said you have version 2.xx, but I remember now that your T60 (normal screen) has a different BIOS base than mine (widescreen), so version aren't really comparable... Mine is version 1.12 (Oct 2007) and it's the latest one.

[lamadra]

Yeap, I saw your screenshot and the noise is exactly like mine, except that mine is the Vista's login page.

Since yesterday when i disabled Powerplay, i don't get the problem anymore (i put my laptop on hibernation for more than 5 times already)

Why can't you disable powerplay?

[giulio.vezzelli]

I don't know why I can't disable it.

I just know that, in the Catalyst Control Center I can disable it or put the sliders to the maximum performance settings BUT the GPU will always go to "Battery saving" when I unplug the adapter.

I can set it to "Best performance" after (and if the screen is corrupted it will get back fine) but will not keep the setting when I unplug the AC adapter.

It happens in Vista AND in XP. With all sorts of drivers.

So I ask : do you have Lenovo Power Manager installed ? which version of BIOS are you using ?

This thing is driving me mad...

Regards.

[lamadra]

I'm using BIOS version 1.12 (dated 19/9/2007, i don't know if this is the latest version, but i got it as an 'update' from the ThinkVantage, just before the problem started)

I have the power manager installed as well.

Honestly, i don't like the idea of disabling the powerplay, but for now, that's the only solution i found so far that resolve my problem.

Do you have problem with the laptop not going into hibernation when closing the lid? It really annoys me because I need a quick 'pack-up' as my daily routine involves moving around in different part of the hospital and med school.

[giulio.vezzelli]

Hi,

I downgraded the BIOS to 1.11 from 1.12.

The problem seems solved. I tried several times to change the power state with PowerPlay enabled and no more corruption takes place.

I tried also the hibernate thing with the lid closed as you suggested and works nicely.

Sometimes the keyboard won't work on wakeup but I think that's just some minor problem with drivers/sw I can fix.

If you want, you may try to downgrade the BIOS too and see if things get better.

Regards.

[lamadra]

Aight, will try that!

[giulio.vezzelli]

I confirm that :

- The BIOS downgrade seems to have solved the problem. I tried so many times to plug/unplug, standby/resume, hibernate and wake up and never failed.

- The keyboard problem I mentioned was easily solved updating UltraNav software.

Now, I'd love to notify Lenovo that BIOS 1.12 has that defect but I guess I'll never get in touch to anyone significant enough to produce a patch a make a new release.

I hope some Lenovo employee reads this thread

Regards and thanks to anyone who replied to my first post.