T42 Laptop Dead / Need new option fast.

[manlymatt83]

Was working fine until late Friday night. I got on a train and turned the laptop on. Booted into ubuntu fine, but then started getting really slow, and then locked up -- sort of. It was locked up (caps lock key wasn't working), but everytime I moved the mouse, the screen would shake like there was electrical interference. Then, after a few minutes, it just locked up entirely.

Fast forward to this morning - laptop won't even turn on at all. It powers on, lights go green, but nothing comes on the screen. Then, magically, it boots, but the same thing happens again - locks right up after hitting ubuntu, and then starts shaking like there's electrical interference on the screen.

Now I can't even get it to turn on. Fan powers up, but that's about it, and nothing comes on the screen.

I took it apart, cleaned it out, put it back together, and now it works -- sometimes. It still locks up on me a bit. if I move a certain direction or put pressure on the bottom left hand corner, it locks up. Kind of annoying. There's probably something loose or something.

After more research, I think I'll agree with what's posted here:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=57021

as my problem. But at this point, like I said, I need to fix this quickly, so I can get up and running, and I'm willing to do whatever I need to do to have a working machine again.

As far as replacements, I LOVE the T42, and I loved the T23 (but I love the T42 more). The screen size is nice, the mobile processor (Centrino) is nice, the battery life is amazing, and since I only use this computer for work (never any games or anything like that), it's just perfect for me - but it's getting old.

Are there any newer replacements that compare to the T42 in battery life, screen size (not too big, not too small), and weight? I've looked at the T60 and T61 -- the T60 seems to be similar to the T42 except it hogs battery life (I have the 15" T42 and I get about 2.5 hours out of my battery). The T61, T400, and T500 all have widescreens, which at this point if I just need to suck it up and deal with it, I'll buy a new one. But I worry about shipping times.

Can anyone recommend possibilities for me to fix this quickly? And if it is most likely my graphics card and taking it apart further isn't the best option, should I just stick with another T42? If so, is there a way to buy a new T42 or at least one with a warranty left on it?

Thanks all!

-Matt

[ajkula66]

Welcome to the forum!

It would probably take about 10 days for you to get the machine back from Superior Reballing...they charge $50 to fix the GPU problem...

T42s with warranty remaining are quite rare nowadays, but there are some on offer here, from a highly regarded forum member:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=68526

As for T60 and T61...to each his/hers own. My only advice would be to try before you buy...

Good luck.

[manlymatt83]

Welcome to the forum!

It would probably take about 10 days for you to get the machine back from Superior Reballing...they charge $50 to fix the GPU problem...

T42s with warranty remaining are quite rare nowadays, but there are some on offer here, from a highly regarded forum member:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=68526

As for T60 and T61...to each his/hers own. My only advice would be to try before you buy...

Good luck.

Thanks! I PM'd the gentleman in that thread. Hopefully I'll get a quick reply - I'm anxious for a new machine!

Also, what are your recommendations on the T60/T61/T400/T500? Other than getting used to the wide screen, is the T500 much much better? My friend says if I don't need more than the T42 offers (which I don't - it works great!), then don't upgrade.

Also, what is the URL for Superior Reballing, and would I be able to sell the laptop without getting it fixed, perhaps on here, for a cheaper price obviously? Are new members allowed to sell?

Thanks for your help!

[ajkula66]

Superior Reball can be found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-Mother ... 0269246009

New members are allowed to sell, but my personal recommendation would be to fix the machine and then put it in the Marketplace, CL or eBay...

I haven't had the chance to properly test T400/500, so I really can't comment on them, but both T60 and T61 are fine machines, with my personal preference being T60 because it was the last model to feature 15" IPS FlexView LCDs...

Having said that, I'm typing this on a T43 which I prefer to any T6x machine...but that's just me...

Good luck.

[manlymatt83]

Superior Reball can be found on eBay:

http://cgi.ebay.com/IBM-ThinkPad-Mother ... 0269246009

New members are allowed to sell, but my personal recommendation would be to fix the machine and then put it in the Marketplace, CL or eBay...

I haven't had the chance to properly test T400/500, so I really can't comment on them, but both T60 and T61 are fine machines, with my personal preference being T60 because it was the last model to feature 15" IPS FlexView LCDs...

Having said that, I'm typing this on a T43 which I prefer to any T6x machine...but that's just me...

Good luck.

Thanks for the reply. Are there major differences between the T42 and T43? I was very happy with the T42 but should i be looking at the T43 instead?

[underclocker]

Your best option has been listed above.

Your fastest option would be to buy any T40, T41 or T42 and pop in your hard drive. It will boot fine and automatically recoginize any slight hardware differences. (You might need to download a few drivers from Lenovo.)

That will take about 5 minutes. Good luck.

T43 vs. T42 has been covered many times before. T43's with Intel GPU won't give you this problem again - that was an option with the T43s. The downside of T43s is the fan noise - it's louder than previous T4x machines, but not that bad on the slower CPU models.

(Welcome to the fourm.)

[Ralf Hutter]

Superior Reball can be found on eBay:

my personal recommendation would be to fix the machine and then put it in the Marketplace, CL or eBay...

Why sell it? Is the reballing a less-than-permanent solution?

[ajkula66]

There is NO permanent solution to GPU issue, as far as I'm concerned.

The main culprit IMO is the number of heating/cooling cycles the machine endures, and chassis strain on beautiful but thin T4x units certainly doesn't help.

That's the main reason why both my A31p and T43 are on 24/7/365....to minimize the number of these cycles, since both units are theoretically prone to GPU failures, T43 less than A31p, but it does happen...