Thinkpad T61, Display is splitted horizontally in two identical display

[maxkinn]

Hi,

I have windows 7 professional running on my thinkpad t61 laptop. One day when I restarted my laptop, suddenly the display is divided in two horizontal identical screens. I checked with Win + p key and found that no second device is connected. When I connect my TV with VGA, and duplicate/extend the display, I see ok in TV, but my laptop preserves two screen. 

Even I reinstalled windows7 but the issues is not resolved. I don' t understand why it looks ok in TV but not in my laptop screen?

If you wish I can upload a picture of how it looks like. I have tried to change the resolution, but no result, Tried to install latest driver, but no luck. Please suggest a solution.

thanks

[ajkula66 Guru]

Welcome to the forum!

Could you please:

a) Let us know the full 7-character model number of your T61, located on the same sticker that holds the serial number and the production date on the bottom of the laptop?

b) Upload an image of the issue at hand to one of the free hosting sites (photobucket etc.) and post a link here?

Good luck.

[maxkinn]

Hi, thanks for your reply

The 7 character number is 8889-CTO

I have uploaded image here

http://i1297.photobucket.com/albums/ag21/maxkinn/IMG_20130309_221944_zpsec9149e0.jpg

thanks again

[ajkula66 Guru]

GPU chip failure. Common on nVidia-based T61/p and R61 units, as well as on many other laptops of that era.

Your T61 needs a new motherboard, I'm sorry to say.

Good luck.

[maxkinn]

Hi again, thanks for your reply

Can you please tell me why the display is ok when I connect it with TV? I see normal screen as I used to see in my laptop.

thanks

[ajkula66 Guru]

There are two separate outputs from the GPU: analog for VGA and digital for the LCD. One "channel" can work perfectly well while the other one takes errors or is completely down..eventually - be it in three days or three years - the chip will completely die and you'll get nothing on VGA either, but no one can say exactly when that will take place..

NVidia chip failres (due to a manufacturing defect) are a commonplace on R61/T61 generation, as well as on Dells, HPs and Macs of the same era.

[TuuS]

It's sad to see another gpu failure especially on a standard aspect (4:3) system which are a favorite of most people being the most powerful non widescreen model made by lenovo. I have to agree with george that it does look like your motherboard has failed, but if you have another lid from any T60/61 of any size, you can temporarily plug it in to your chassis to confirm this. 

Regarding motherboards for the 4:3 units, in the past your only option for a reliable board on this model was one with Intel graphics because production of the 4:3 models stopped before the nVidia problem was solved, but there was a recent discovery of some brand new IBM boards still in their original boxes found, which is good news for anyone owning a 4:3 unit.

[maxkinn]

Hi,

I have already tested with another LCD but the problem still persists !

I am not sure why IBM let the defected hardware out and then make user suffer

Is there any good place where I can purchase Mother-board in reasonable price?

any idea....How much Lenovo support will charge if i send this to them?

thanks for your help !

[TuuS]

I can help you find a board, send me a private message with your model, serial and date code and the model of your cpu (don't post this info in the public forum) and I'll find out what's available for your model.