Is my motherboard faulty..please help

[shirl2]

I have a r51 thinkpad when on booting up displays a screen with vertical coloured bars. I attached an external monitor which showed the same screen..I am assuming this is a motherboard problem. Do i need another motherboard.
I bought this laptop on ebay... It does not have a hdd or optical drive....so i am wondering if this is worth fixing
Thanks shirl

[goofyGAguy]

Was this defect disclosed in the eBay auction? If not, send it back. And yes, it does sound like the infamous GPU problem. Sorry.

[shirl2]

thanks....yes it was mentioned....They didnt know if it was the monitor or motherboard at fault .i took a chance...i have my eye on a few replacement boards....

Thanks for your reply

[madkat]

what is the model number? starting with 1 or with 2 ?

[shirl2]

model no 1836

shirl

[madkat]

so you have ATI video chipset... most likely gpu failure... you can read the sticky topics in the T4x section to see the alternatives: new same type board (ati gpu same danger of failure), resoldering the gpu (can last some time), intel chipset board (not prone to failure)

[shirl2]

do you know what model nos are the better boards

thanks shirl

[madkat]

the boards from 28xx model numbered R51's
i don't know the exact FRU - when i have built my Frankenpad (T41 with R51 mobo) i bought an R51 with 28xx model numer and it was ok (of course checked in disply properties to be what it claimed to be)
for information of the exact FRU - download the Hardwar Maintenance Manual from the ibm site - there is a table there with the fru's for each model number - look then for a fru from any 28xx model
link with all you need to know about this transplant: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=65505

[shirl2]

thanks for info....Can someone please tell me where the gpu is site on the motherboard, i tried to find it but couldn't...(ok i know i need a magnifying glass....i am getting on in years ! )I was going to try the pressure test.....

thanks shirl

[madkat]

near the touchpad connector - there is a chip with ATI written on in with 2 smaller chips very close to it
as a matter of fact - it the only chip with ATI written

[shirl2]

Thanks..found it under heatsink....unfortunately used pressure but no difference. Screen comes on but shows a variety of vertical lines....

Thanks shirley

[shirl2]

I tried the heat gun method on my r51 MB.....The only unfortunate accident i had was that the plastic melted on top of the hdd connection. i was careful in covering all plastics in alluminium foil.....however i plugged in to the mains and low and behold the '' IBM'' screen appeared.....pity the drive plastics have ruined what would have been a good job.....and me a mere woman too........Now hunting for a motherboard..