A31 does not start with vertical lines of various colors [ Edited ]

[eugenec]

When i press the power button (a31-2652dxg) vertical lines of various colors start to fill in the screen. After that the screen goes totally black and i have to keep pressed the power button to turn it off.

Link to picture

Moderator note; picture(s) totalling >50K converted to link(s) Forum Rules

[ajkula66 Guru]

Welcome to the forum!

The graphics card is shot. Your A31 needs a new motherboard.

Good luck.

[evgeniosc]

A guy that fixes laptops suggested  reflow with a airgun or put the motherboard in the oven for 6-8 minutes at 385F, then let it cool.

[Mornsgrans]

I do not recommend to do it by yourself, if you have no experiences in doing that.

If you live in europe and your A31 is a collector's piece, ask http://www.reflowrepairs.co.uk/ or try to purchase a "new" system board. 

[ajkula66 Guru]

There's no guarantee that a reflow will yield results.

There are two separate GPU problems that A3x generation is infamous for:

a) Loose GPU that *might* be fixed with a reflow

b) VRAM corruption - there is no known fix apart from motherboard replacement.

At today's prices, a board swap is likely the least expensive and troublesome solution.

Good luck.

[evgeniosc]

The problem is that cyprus is a small country and that it's difficult to find a motherboard for thinkpads.

Also I think it's risky and not worth to order a used one from ebay for around 70euro.

I am thinking to try the reflow with hot air gun. If it won't work I will try to sell it as seperate components.