IBM ThinkPad A30 Video Problems

[ThinkPad560X]

I have a ThinkPad A30 and the LCD is dark just like my ThinkPad 560X. When its hooked up to the LCD monitor it shows display fine, but if I tap on the laptop to hard the screen will go all blery, http://media.photobucket.com/image/mess ... ure040.jpg

If I tap on it again it may go back to normal or worse.

[ajkula66]

I'm sorry to say that your GPU has gone bad, which is a very common issue on A3x machines.

[ThinkPad560X]

Does anyone know how to fix this problem? I striped down the top palmrest and keyboard and see the ATi card on the top next to the processor. I cleaned the dust off it and tryed powering it on and get the IBM THINKPAD Logo on the screen but LCD isn't lighting up.

[ajkula66]

You need a new motherboard.

At the price range of A30 units nowadays, your best bet is to buy a working shell for $50-60.

[ThinkPad560X]

Is this the same problem as my ThinkPad T40? powers on but no display and would freeze if moved

[ajkula66]

With A3x machines it can be two different things which show similar symptoms...

The first one would be a loose GPU, similar to what is plaguing T4x/R5x ThinkPads.

The second one is VRAM corruption, which is not something I've seen as much on later units.

Whatever the case may be, I still stand by my advice: buy a barebone A30 and transplant your parts.

Good luck.