How to slow down imminent failure of GPU?

[jrumohr]

I'm pretty sure I have the GPU problem on my T40 and probably the Southbridge, too. Is there anything I can do to slow down the complete failure of it? I mean not playing games (I don't), or what if I reduce the color depth in XP? I have begun to handle the machine more carefully, such as picking it up with both hands (less flexing). I do need to shuffle it between home and work, as for now it is my only computer.

That said, are there things, other than what I've mentioned, that could INCREASE the speed of failure?

I hope to keep this one alive for another month or two until I can get something different, like a T60.

[craigmontHunter]

there were a couple of things I found, one being there is an ATI driver that allows you to enable "powerplay" (power management) for the graphics, which reduces the temp. For the southbridge, try to move it as little as possible, close the lid when you move it, and hold it with both hands from the sides.

IHMO, they are the nicest looking laptops ever made, but they are ticking time bombs - I had mine die, then the repaired mobo died 9 months later . The T60 is good if you really want the 4:3 screen, but if you want your system to last for a long time, get an intel t61, it will take more ram and will let you run 64 bit software.

[ThinkRob]

The T60 is good if you really want the 4:3 screen, but if you want your system to last for a long time, get an intel t61, it will take more ram and will let you run 64 bit software.

The T60 will also run a 64-bit OS just fine.

[RealBlackStuff]

... but needs a Core 2 Duo CPU for that, AND the T60 is limited to ~3GB usable RAM, even under 64-bit OS!

[ThinkRob]

... but needs a Core 2 Duo CPU for that, AND the T60 is limited to ~3GB usable RAM, even under 64-bit OS!

True, the RAM limit could be a bit of a pain if you need > 3GB. Still, there are benefits to be had from a 64-bit userland even without more RAM.

[jrumohr]

Thanks for the discussion everyone. This certainly gives me food for thought. Very glad to know the T60 has similar GPU problems as the T4x, don't want to repeat that! I hadn't really considered a 64 bit system before and will look into that a bit more.

[ThinkRob]

Very glad to know the T60 has similar GPU problems as the T4x, don't want to repeat that! I hadn't really considered a 64 bit system before and will look into that a bit more.

Hang on! The T60 does *not* have the same GPU issues as the T4x series. That's one of it's strengths!

[craigmontHunter]

No - The T61 has gpu problems (and they cannot be reflowed like the t4x). The T60 is fine, as long as you are ok with 3gb of ram. If you think you may want more, then get a T61 or newer (But an Intergrated T61). One thing to remember is that the T61 intergrated graphics will blow your t40's out of the water, so they are not a downgrade in any way.

[ThinkRob]

No - The T61 has gpu problems (and they cannot be reflowed like the t4x). The T60 is fine, as long as you are ok with 3gb of ram. If you think you may want more, then get a T61 or newer (But an Intergrated T61). One thing to remember is that the T61 intergrated graphics will blow your t40's out of the water, so they are not a downgrade in any way.

All very true. But if you're set on a 4:3 screen, then a T60 is probably the way to go as 4:3 T61s with integrated graphics are quite rare.

[pianowizard]

Is there anything I can do to slow down the complete failure of it?

Don't play videos on it. I had a T42 which worked great for 3 years, mostly for MS Office stuff. Then, I suddenly decided to use it mainly for watching videos, and within several weeks the GPU started to have issues. This could have been a coincidence, but I suspect not.

[craigmontHunter]

Pianowizard has a good point - I did the same thing, using it for office and such, then started watching videos and it died shortly after that. I would reccomend leaving it on as much as possible in a stable position and using it for the lightest tasks possible. It should last untill you get a replacement.

[jrumohr]

All great ideas. Rob, good to know on the T60/61 and screens. I actually prefer the widescreen ratio, though the 4:3 on the t40 I'm using now is growing on me.

Craig and piano - I've figured the same, good to hear from others. Fortunately we have another laptop to watch our netflix on

And I'm not into games anymore. Probably mostly due to my previous computer had really crappy Intel integrated graphics, it was certainly no graphic beast, though it played movies fine. That and I don't want them to clog up/slow down my OS.

[jrumohr]

there were a couple of things I found, one being there is an ATI driver that allows you to enable "powerplay" (power management) for the graphics, which reduces the temp.

Which driver would this be? I went the ATI driver site and entered in my info and they sent me to a generic "your GPU is custom made, use the manufacturer's drivers" page.

Thanks.

[craigmontHunter]

I can't remember what they were specifically, but there were registry edits that can be made to enable power play when the system is plugged in. Sorry I can't tell you anything more specific, but I have not had that system in 9 months, so I forget most of the tweaks . I can't remember what I searched, but it is not a driver, just registry edits (sorry, I just realized that) That also cools the system nicely, and the fan hardly ever came on for me once I did that.
If I find the site I will post it.

[fefrie]

If I remember correctly from another thread t4x's made after summer 2005 don't fail very often. Saying that, your t40 was probably made much earlier.

Good luck.

[jrumohr]

Thanks for all the ideas, everyone. The GPU and/or southbridge issue has gotten really bad, can't even boot up now. I may try another thinkpad in the future, as i think they are fine machines, but I got a very good deal on a new acer. Never had one of those before and we'll see how it fares.

pd

[RealBlackStuff]

You can keep your Thinkpad alive for many more years by swapping out the motherboard.
See The Board Room in my signature.

[JesseKnows]

You can try some padding (folded cardboard comes to mind) pressed between the keyboard and the GPU/southbridge. That could press the chip to the motherboard and restore the connections.
I've done that with a T41, and also with an HP TC1100 tablet and its nVidia chip.

[richramo]

I tried a small piece of cardboard and a bit of blutack on a broken T61p last night which is the same suggestion JesseKnows gave. It wouldn't boot past the Windows XP Logo screen and so far with the fix it has been working like a gem. I guess only time will tell how long the solution will last.

I'm planning on leaving it the docking station with an external mouse, keyboard and monitor so not to move it to much, in the hope I will get more life out it.

For me at the moment, at least it gives me the time to backup what I need too and the cardboard option seems half decent when considering the hit and miss reflow option.