T41 screen turns to barcode, computer freezes--- help!

[spenceuiuc]

My T41 has just started a new phenomena. The screen will randomly fade out or start shaking or turn into a barcode-looking thing. Sometimes if I hit a key, m desktop will come back, but it is frozen, no mouse movement at all. Also, if I touch/press on the lower left portion of the laptop (below keyboard near the centrino sticker), sometimes the desktop will come back, but frozen.

I tried re-seating the RAM and keyboard (just because they are easily accessible, no real logic to that one!).

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I might try to fix this? Your help is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
-Tony

[SteveS]

Sorry to inform you – this is the classic symptom of the GPU solder pad failure common in T40,41 and 42 models. A sure test is if you can get the PC to boot normally, lift one corner of the front case to slightly flex the system board. If the display goes to “barcode” mode or the machine locks up, some of the connections between the GPU and the processor have opened.

Repair usually involves replacing the system board. Some have reported success reflowing the solder in the GPU. In either case, you need to fully disassemble the machine. Reflowing the solder is a delicate process with low chance of success, but given the cost of a new system board, you might want to give it a try. Search for “Reflowing GPU” in this forum