T61 Nvidia Quadro NVS 140M.. garbled display problem!

[trooper123]

Yup, this happened to me as well. I am using an R61 with Nvidia NVS 140M. The GPU is bad, I am planning on replacing the system board because there does not seem to be a way to simply replace the GPU.

I could try and fix the current GPU, but I just cannot afford to have my computer fail while I am working on something important.

I also contacted Lenovo and they did not acknowledged the issue. Seems like HP and Dell are handling this problem much better and actually owning up to an issue that is not the fault of the user.

[sktn77a]

Historically, IBM/Lenovo have not responded to issues such as this unless it was a safety issue.  If the computer is in warranty, you're OK;  if it's not, as a rule, you're SOL.  I would follow George's advice and try calling a couple of different Tech Support reps - I've found big differences between individual techs when I've called in the past.

[mongo56]

Thought I would share.

I had the same issue on my three year old R61 (same GPU) and warranty was way over due.

Disassembled the laptop completely and and used a heat gun on the GPU portion of the motherboard for a couple of minutes. I also wrapped all of the plastic components in tin foil to prevent them from melting.

It's working perfectly now (~1 week), (knocks on wood).

The XBOX360 has the same issue. The GPU "desolders" from continuous heat.

I hope this helps someone without warranty and has nothing to loose. Good luck!

[shai66]

Hi,

could you please be more specific how have you got fixed it?

I have the same problem and no warranty with mi r61 8918 b9g .... and as i was searching for spare system board, I have found out that a new board would be nearly as expensive as an used but complete r61 notebook (250-400euro).

Thanx.

[Brian333]

I am also having this problem with my T61.  The more people start complaining the better the chance we have of getting something done. 

[star17]

I'm having the same problem (split screen, garbled characters, randomly shutting down, blank screen, excessive heat) I called Lenovo and they refused to extend my warranty and I was told that it would cost $475-$575 to fix it.  They wouldn't even acknowledge that this is a big issue.

[Dex]

Add me to the list, only mine has progressed to the "dead zone" now.

Maybe these T61"s should have come with a  "USE BY DATE" attached.

Comp 2 years old today, but been dead for month.

[oc]

Hi

My T61 Nvidia Quadro NVS 140M just died yesterday.  The screen is all garbled.  I tried an external display and same thing.  Then I tried to enable remote assistance (by blindly guessing where I was -  I used another vista machine to help me navigate blindly) and now I can remote desktop into the bad video card machine (the screen is normal once you remote). This at least allowed me to make a full backup.

FYI

- The device manager says:  "Windows has stopped the device because it has reported problems (Code 43)"

- The display settings says: (Default Monitor) on RDPDD Chained DD

- The nvidia control panel does not exist anymore.

Based on what T61 owners are posting online , it is clear that Lenovo should do a recall or at least be responsible and professional by offering free repair to the customers that are calling.  I bought Lenovo because I could repair/replace mostly any parts using few screws but... they just proved that it may not be the criterion to use when selecting a laptop (My 5 year old acer is still running perfect...).

I will try Lenovo Consumer service and see what they say... I bought it in 2007!

If anyone has more info or tips on how to solve this issue, please let us know.  Also please do take the 2 minutes necessary to post a reply here if you have similar issue with NVS 140M.

[oc]

Here are two interesting links...  Lenovo cannot really say they are not aware of it as Nvidia as set money aside to deal with this failing chips.  You may use this information when calling customer service...

---Summarizing the Nvidia problems with laptop chips overheating---http://news.cnet.com/8301-13554_3-10020782-33.html?tag=untagged

---Lawsuit alleges Nvidia hid chip defects--- http://news.cnet.com/8301-13924_3-10037632-64.html

On July 2, Nvidia announced that it would take a one-time charge of $150 million to $200 million to "cover anticipated warranty, repair, return, replacement and other costs and expenses, arising from a weak die/packaging material set in certain versions of its previous generation GPU and MCP products used in notebook systems." (GPU stands for graphics processing unit, and MCP for multichip package.)

If a Lenovo representative reads this thread  PLEASE update us on the options.  Thank you

[deejjoy]

i feel everyone's pain, my t61 gave out, all i get from it is two beeps insisting its a systemboard failure.