Difference between revisions of "Known Problems"
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| − | This page provides information regarding known problems   | + | This page provides information regarding unusual known problems, or rather, hardware/software design defects that may appear on a ThinkPad. Known problems that are related to age, are not considered unusual and will not be listed here. Some examples include:  | 
| + | *[[Problem with Pixel Error|Problem with dead pixels or subpixels on TFT display panels]]  | ||
| + | *[[Problem with broken inverter]]  | ||
| + | *[[Problem with key and trackpoint markings on the display]]  | ||
| + | *[[Problem with red display shadow|Problem with slow response rate of red subpixels on TFT display panels]]  | ||
| + | *[[Problem with red tinted display|Problem with failing CCFL tubes on CCFL-backlit display panels]]  | ||
| + | *[[Problem with hot surfaces]]  | ||
| − | + | Hardware problems are design defects related to a physical component that resides on or in a ThinkPad, which may result in premature death or reduced functionality. Fortunately, some components are modular and can be swapped for a fault-free equivalent in certain cases. Software problems on the other hand, are design defects or mistakes related to a component's firmware. Depending on the severity of the problem, some can be easily resolved with a simple modification, but some can't and may require special tools.  | |
|}  | |}  | ||
==Hardware Problems==  | ==Hardware Problems==  | ||
===Display-related===  | ===Display-related===  | ||
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=125590 Problem with air bubbles forming due to inadequate adhesive used] (X61 Tablet)  | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=125590 Problem with air bubbles forming due to inadequate adhesive used] (X61 Tablet)  | ||
| + | *[http://web.archive.org/web/20140805042157/http://support.lenovo.com/en_US/detail.page?LegacyDocID=MIGR-76367 Problem with garbled or blank vertical stripes on TFT display] (T400s, T410s, T410si)  | ||
*[https://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/solutions/ht051485 Problem with image retention/persistence on IPS-based TFT displays] (X220, X220i, X220 Tablet, X220i Tablet)  | *[https://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/solutions/ht051485 Problem with image retention/persistence on IPS-based TFT displays] (X220, X220i, X220 Tablet, X220i Tablet)  | ||
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=75571 Problem with dead VGA port] (X61, X61s, X61 Tablet)  | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=75571 Problem with dead VGA port] (X61, X61s, X61 Tablet)  | ||
*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=114823 Problem with broken USB ports' tabs] (W500, T400, T500, R400, R500)  | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=114823 Problem with broken USB ports' tabs] (W500, T400, T500, R400, R500)  | ||
| + | *[https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-X-Series-Laptops/X220-no-post-and-green-light-around-power-button-flashes-every-3/m-p/695223 Problem with dead EEPROM chip] (some models that were built within Sep to Dec 2011)  | ||
| + | *[https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/ThinkPad-Edge-S-series/Lenovo-is-still-using-faulty-Sandy-Bridge-chipsets-in-ThinkPads/td-p/558009 Problem with dead SATA ports] (any model with a B2 stepping Intel 6 series PCH)  | ||
===Power-related===  | ===Power-related===  | ||
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=103507 Problem with magnesium frame near the VGA port breaking apart] (T60, T60p, R60, R60e, R60i)  | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=103507 Problem with magnesium frame near the VGA port breaking apart] (T60, T60p, R60, R60e, R60i)  | ||
*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=105764 Problem with broken left hinge] (SLx00 series)  | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=105764 Problem with broken left hinge] (SLx00 series)  | ||
| − | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=  | + | *[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=115392#p741280 Problem with stiff or loose left hinge caused by broken magnesium frame] (W500, T500)  | 
| − | *[http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/thinkpads-are-so-tough-anyone-have-this-happen.630506/#post-8140167 Problem with hairline cracks forming on palmrest] (T400s, T410s)  | + | *[http://forum.notebookreview.com/threads/thinkpads-are-so-tough-anyone-have-this-happen.630506/#post-8140167 Problem with hairline cracks forming on palmrest] (T400s, T410s, T410si)  | 
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==Software Problems==  | ==Software Problems==  | ||
===Display-related===  | ===Display-related===  | ||
| − | *[[Problem with DVI throughput|Problem with DVI throughput on port replicators and docks]]   | + | *[[Problem with DVI throughput|Problem with DVI throughput on port replicators and docks]] (models from 2000-2004)  | 
*[[Problems with fglrx |Problem with ATI proprietary fglrx display driver]] (all models with an ATI display controller)  | *[[Problems with fglrx |Problem with ATI proprietary fglrx display driver]] (all models with an ATI display controller)  | ||
*[[Problem with video related system lockup|Problem with system lockups related to video adapter]] (all models with an S3 display controller)  | *[[Problem with video related system lockup|Problem with system lockups related to video adapter]] (all models with an S3 display controller)  | ||
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*[[Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid]] (any model with the 82573L LAN controller)  | *[[Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid]] (any model with the 82573L LAN controller)  | ||
*[[Problem with 3945ABG: Internal wifi cannot associate with AP]] (any model with the 3945ABG WLAN card)  | *[[Problem with 3945ABG: Internal wifi cannot associate with AP]] (any model with the 3945ABG WLAN card)  | ||
| − | *[[Need to disable V90/V92/56K modem speed]] (any model with a Conexant SmartV.92 Softmodem DSP)  | + | *[[Need to disable V90/V92/56K modem speed|Problem with V.90 and V.92 speeds]] (any model with a Conexant SmartV.92 Softmodem DSP)  | 
===Power-related===  | ===Power-related===  | ||
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===BIOS/UEFI-related===  | ===BIOS/UEFI-related===  | ||
*[[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card|"Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802)]] (models with MiniPCI, MiniPCIe, and M.2 slots)  | *[[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card|"Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802)]] (models with MiniPCI, MiniPCIe, and M.2 slots)  | ||
| + | *[https://www.notebookcheck.net/ThinkPad-Thunderbolt-3-failure-What-s-happening-why-it-s-happening-and-how-to-fix-it.451207.0.html Problem with faulty Thunderbolt ports caused by problematic firmware] (all models with dedicated Thunderbolt controllers)  | ||
*[[Embedded Controller Firmware#Firmware_issues|Firmware issues]]  | *[[Embedded Controller Firmware#Firmware_issues|Firmware issues]]  | ||
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*[[Problems accessing cdrom drive]] (T400)  | *[[Problems accessing cdrom drive]] (T400)  | ||
*[[Problem with Overheating then reboot since Ubuntu 11.10]] (T500)  | *[[Problem with Overheating then reboot since Ubuntu 11.10]] (T500)  | ||
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| + | [[Category:Issues]]  | ||
Latest revision as of 19:34, 24 March 2020
| 
 This page provides information regarding unusual known problems, or rather, hardware/software design defects that may appear on a ThinkPad. Known problems that are related to age, are not considered unusual and will not be listed here. Some examples include: 
 Hardware problems are design defects related to a physical component that resides on or in a ThinkPad, which may result in premature death or reduced functionality. Fortunately, some components are modular and can be swapped for a fault-free equivalent in certain cases. Software problems on the other hand, are design defects or mistakes related to a component's firmware. Depending on the severity of the problem, some can be easily resolved with a simple modification, but some can't and may require special tools.  | 
Hardware Problems
- Problem with air bubbles forming due to inadequate adhesive used (X61 Tablet)
 - Problem with garbled or blank vertical stripes on TFT display (T400s, T410s, T410si)
 - Problem with image retention/persistence on IPS-based TFT displays (X220, X220i, X220 Tablet, X220i Tablet)
 
- Problem with hard drive clicking noises caused by excessive head parking (any model with a AAM/APM-capable HDD)
 - Problem with failing Ultrabay 2000 Zip 250 drives
 
- Problem with faulty voltage regulators (A2x, T20, T21, T22)
 - Problem with inductors falling off (T23)
 - Problem with capacitors falling off (R31)
 - Problem with faulty VRAM chips (A3x)
 - Problem with dead audio codec chip (A31, A31p)
 - Problem with loose solder joints on a RAM slot (T20, T21, T30, X3x)
 - Problem with corrupted/garbled graphics caused by loose/fractured solder joints on GPU chip (A3x, T30, T4x, R32, R40, R5x)
 - Problem with loose southbridge chips (T4x, R5x, X40)
 - Problem with dead southbridge caused by inadequate short-circuit protection (X40)
 - Problem with faulty VRAM chips (T60p, T60, R60, R60i, Z61m, Z61p)
 - Problem with faulty NVIDIA GPU caused by inadequate solder bump material (T61p, T61, R61, R61i)
 - Problem with dead VGA port (X61, X61s, X61 Tablet)
 - Problem with broken USB ports' tabs (W500, T400, T500, R400, R500)
 - Problem with dead EEPROM chip (some models that were built within Sep to Dec 2011)
 - Problem with dead SATA ports (any model with a B2 stepping Intel 6 series PCH)
 
- Problem with premature battery death (600 series)
 - Problem with high pitch noises (some models)
 - Problem with damaged 56 W AC adapters
 
- Problem with cracks forming on palmrest or keyboard bezel (T2x)
 - Problem with loose hinges (X2x)
 - Problem with hairline cracks forming nearby hinges (R3x)
 - Problem with hairline crack forming on display bezel (X3x)
 - Problem with malformed casing caused by bending/twisting (T4x, X4x)
 - Problem with magnesium frame near the VGA port breaking apart (T60, T60p, R60, R60e, R60i)
 - Problem with broken left hinge (SLx00 series)
 - Problem with stiff or loose left hinge caused by broken magnesium frame (W500, T500)
 - Problem with hairline cracks forming on palmrest (T400s, T410s, T410si)
 
Software Problems
- Problem with DVI throughput on port replicators and docks (models from 2000-2004)
 - Problem with ATI proprietary fglrx display driver (all models with an ATI display controller)
 - Problem with system lockups related to video adapter (all models with an S3 display controller)
 - Problem with video output switching
 - Problem with LCD brightness controls not working or causes crashes (some models with ACPI)
 
- Problem with APS harddisk parking (all models with APS)
 - Problem with too large harddrive (560)
 - Problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks (T43, T43p, R52, X41)
 - Problem with SATA performance limited to UDMA 2 (all models with a I/O controller capable of only IDE)
 
- Problem with error 01C9 - More than one Ethernet devices (A31, A31p, T23, T30, X22, X23, X24, X30)
 - Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid (any model with the 82573L LAN controller)
 - Problem with 3945ABG: Internal wifi cannot associate with AP (any model with the 3945ABG WLAN card)
 - Problem with V.90 and V.92 speeds (any model with a Conexant SmartV.92 Softmodem DSP)
 
- Problems with ACPI suspend-to-ram (ACPI sleep troubles)
- Problem with display remaining black after resume (various models)
 - Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep (various models)
 - Problem with LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep (various models)
 
 - Problem with fan noise (some models)
 - Problem with checking battery status causes mouse to jerk around (R31)
 - Problem with CPU locked to lowest frequency under AC power only (any model with SpeedStep or Cool'n'Quiet)
 - Problem with immediate restarts from suspend, hibernate, and halt (some models)
 
- Problem with audio clipping caused by excessive sound amplification (any model with an AD1981A or AD1981B AC'97 codec)
 
- "Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802) (models with MiniPCI, MiniPCIe, and M.2 slots)
 - Problem with faulty Thunderbolt ports caused by problematic firmware (all models with dedicated Thunderbolt controllers)
 - Firmware issues