Nvidia chip in T61

[goraman]

I talked extensively with Bridget in Lenovo's repairs and warranty dept.
She was very aware of the whole Nvidia issue and told me that sooner or later all video chips /mother boards will fail as lead can not be used in the soldering proses any longer and that not all of the chips from the batches in question will fail any sooner than the replacements.
She said yes,they have been failing in larger numbers and that she has seen "Quite a lot go through there" but a large number have been ok.
Heat is the bigger issue.
If your computer runs at reasonable temperatures they can last a long time.
My laptop is a T61 TYPE 7663-E37 08/07

What can anyone tell me,am I affected?

[wingedpig]

The problem was fixed in late July of 08. The date on the sticker follows a Year/Month pattern, so it seems your machine was manufactured right at the cusp of the change. I'm not sure there's a way to determine where you fall. 08/07 is the number where you can't be sure.

Hey at least you have some hope. Mine's 07/08, one of the earliest models. Hasn't crapped out yet *knock on wood*

[goraman]

Dose this info help date my laptop?
Product:7663E37

Bios:7LETC6WW(2.26)
WARRANTY EXPIRED:MONDAY JULY 04 2011

Can I find out exactly what date mine was made using this info?
What dose this tell me about my laptop?
If my T61 was made July 4 08 then I'm screwed? Right?

[wingedpig]

Your warranty date is based on date of purchase. There is no way to confirm in your case except to open the machine, remove the heat sink, and look at the date etched on the GPU. I believe the code should reference something like the 23rd week of 2008 or later for it to be immune to the defect. I don't have the link with me, but I remember it was on the Lenovo help forums.

[goraman]

Yes, but if mine was purchased before the fix in late July of 08 I couldn't have the newer version right?
08/07 is july 08 right so if mine was bought on the 4th no chance?

[Binh]

If your computer runs at reasonable temperatures they can last a long time.

For keeping GPU at low temperature you can do this mod

[rssb]

You say you have talking to someone at repair not sure if you still have the laptop. If you have it and can boot it up then boot into windows, use a program like CPU-Z and check revision number of your graphics chip. If it is the newer revision you might be ok. ( A2 i think, there are couple of posts which talk about revision numbers).

[goraman]

You say you have talking to someone at repair not sure if you still have the laptop. If you have it and can boot it up then boot into windows, use a program like CPU-Z and check revision number of your graphics chip. If it is the newer revision you might be ok. ( A2 i think, there are couple of posts which talk about revision numbers).

Thank you I have revision A2.
Is that a good chip?

I just extended my warranty for 2 more years so I guess I'm safe.
Wow.$259.00 for 2 more years. Total warranty on this laptop is up to 5 years! Only Lenovo goes that long to my knowledge.

[crashnburn]

CPU-Z shows me:
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Code Name: G86M
Revision: A2

Is this card vulnerable or safe?

[goraman]

CPU-Z shows me:
NVIDIA Quadro NVS 140M
Code Name: G86M
Revision: A2

Is this card vulnerable or safe?

The more I'm learning about this bad chip deal the harder it is to say with any certainty if the chip will fail or not.
The best thing to do is buy additional warranty from Lenovo.
2 years is $260.00

[RealBlackStuff]

Revision A2 does NOT guarantee an OK chip.
Please read the relevant thread at the top of this forum, where ALL your questions have already been answered ad nauseam!
Thread starting with BREAKING NEWS: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=29&t=93357

[rumbero]

[...], use a program like CPU-Z and check revision number of your graphics chip. If it is the newer revision you might be ok. ( A2 i think, there are couple of posts which talk about revision numbers).

Better let's stop spreading that kind of misinformation once and for all right here, and provide everybody with valid information: The revision of the chip is of no relevance whatsoever. It is not possible to get any really usable information about the nVIDIA-GPU via any known software gadget.

To find out the significant information of the nVIDIA chip production date, one has to actually open up the machine by removing the keyboard and fan, and wipe the thermal grease from the nVIDIA chip, in order to see its production date. This is what i actually did, and the nVIDIA chip had the following info engraved/printed on it:

Code: Select all

nVIDIA
UA10B165 1041A2
S TAIWAN
P3U612.M2W
G84-950-A2

The most interesting information is contained in the second half of the second line. It states 1041A2, which refers to the production date. In the case of this sample, this would be the 41st week of 2010, with revision A2. This chip should be okay, as it was produced far later than August 2008, obviously.

On www.lenovoservicetraining.com/ion/R61_T61 you can find some very well done traininig videos which explain how to disassemble, and later reassemble the mentioned parts, in case you want to go for it and check on your own. Just take care to reapply sufficient thermal grease to the nVIDIA chip once you reassemble the fan assembly, or it will be fried by excess heat in no time.

[Radioguy]

Thanks so much for that link. It's enlightening to see what support staff rely on.

[crashnburn]

My T61 was bought before Aug 2008. Manufacturing etc sometime late 2007. So, it definitely has the older not fixed chip right?

Now, can I / should I contact Lenovo to fix it, before their program / chips disappear completely?