Thinkpads Forum

Hi all

I need assistance urgently

Background:

I have a T420 TYPE 4236-63A, which I use exclusively in an air-con environment. I use HW MONITOR to monitor the hardware: no heat issues etc
Today, while taking a break, I put it in HIBERNATION MODE
prior to hibernating it, I did not update anything, I did not change any settings, etc. The screen resolution was 1600 x 900, prior to hibernating


upon resuming the display went completely wonky. please see photos and videos here:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1hdHgr ... V2orKwrGUF
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1vl7Ex ... FYluNjRCxt
https://drive.google.com/open?id=1B98KQ ... sSzyyealI8



I checked the screen resolution, and found that it was now 1024 x 768 (which was the new maximum)

I did a hardware diagnostic check, this was the result:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1bOvyq ... gQllV624YB

I then shut down the notebook completely, removed the battery, press on the power button for at least 30 seconds. Upon restart, the same screen (and a change of colour - reddish tint) came up (notice the WIN 10 square boxes are no longer in the center of the display). Also, my usual screen background (the THINKPAD world clock) "disappeared" (note that I did not change anything):

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1-by_E ... 8f9eTj8o_3

I did this several times, to no avail

From Device Manager, the graphics unit is:

https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PqJsl ... Sl2J9mOZCN

This T420 has anti-virus, so I don't think this can be a virus issue.

i would be grateful for any assistance / suggestions.
Thanks all in advance.

Dump W10 and either go back to W7, or switch over to Linux.

@ RealBlackStuff

I'd love to, but I can't, because I need Win 10 for school work.
Thanks for your suggestion, though

Do you have any idea(s) what is wrong with it?

lawgilbert95 wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:06 am

@ RealBlackStuff

I'd love to, but I can't, because I need Win 10 for school work.
Thanks for your suggestion, though

Do you have any idea(s) what is wrong with it?

I had the same problem with my T420 and the 1024x768 resolution...but my solution was to stop using the machine.

I'm seeing some possible causes at the moment:

1. LCD cable issue (specifically wires that carry the EDID data signals). It's possible that without the EDID data, the display controller defaults to 1024x768.

2. LCD panel issue (EDID data is not sent to the system board)

3. Bad RAM-- not very likely, but I'll explain how: Intel HD graphics uses system RAM, if the RAM used by the built-in graphics goes bad, it would cause a variety of issues.

Thanks to all for your replies

so, my next question is: how do I fix it (ie IF there are solutions)?
This T420 is rather precious to me ...

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Wed Dec 19, 2018 10:31 am

I'm seeing some possible causes at the moment:

1. LCD cable issue (specifically wires that carry the EDID data signals). It's possible that without the EDID data, the display controller defaults to 1024x768.

2. LCD panel issue (EDID data is not sent to the system board)

3. Bad RAM-- not very likely, but I'll explain how: Intel HD graphics uses system RAM, if the RAM used by the built-in graphics goes bad, it would cause a variety of issues.

These aren't the issue. Its entirely software related. I have 3 T420's and two have this issue AFAIK. One of them is practically NOS and never touched. I run 7 as a result.

@lawgilbert - why do you need W10..like specifically what won't run/required W10?

Thinkpad4by3 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:13 am

These aren't the issue. Its entirely software related. I have 3 T420's and two have this issue AFAIK. One of them is practically NOS and never touched. I run 7 as a result.

@lawgilbert - why do you need W10..like specifically what won't run/required W10?

If that's the case, then he should try a Linux bootable USB drive and see if the issue persists. If there are no issues in Linux, then it probably comes down to Intel's graphics drivers-- the HD 3000 is not certified for Win 10, right?

axur-delmeria wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 20, 2018 2:01 am

Thinkpad4by3 wrote: ↑

Thu Dec 20, 2018 1:13 am

These aren't the issue. Its entirely software related. I have 3 T420's and two have this issue AFAIK. One of them is practically NOS and never touched. I run 7 as a result.

@lawgilbert - why do you need W10..like specifically what won't run/required W10?

If that's the case, then he should try a Linux bootable USB drive and see if the issue persists. If there are no issues in Linux, then it probably comes down to Intel's graphics drivers-- the HD 3000 is not certified for Win 10, right?

Well I've tried 7 on a machine that exhibits the issue on 10 and it works fine through 7 so it should be fine, right?

Unlikely HD3000 support is in for W10...and a quick google sarch for "HD 3000 windows 10" brings up a lot of forums posts about problems.

Not looking too hot. Though I've tried W10 on an X230 and it works fine so if all else fails you can classic keyboard mod a T430, stick a T420 badge on there and "enjoy" W10 and your new performance upgrade!

@ ThinkPad4by3

I am using Win 10 because of the impending Win 7 EoL, and the better security of Win 10

Thanks to all for your responses.

They told similar EOL nonsense about XP, yet today it is still supported by M$ (albeit not much longer).
https://www.forbes.com/sites/gordonkell ... 4c6bde70fc

I bet the same will happen with W7.

And instead of switching to that spyware W10, I'd rather change over to Linux.
(I'm currently playing with this easy one: Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon)

I am using Windows-based OS due to organization's network requirements

lawgilbert95 wrote: ↑

Sun Dec 23, 2018 12:14 am

I am using Windows-based OS due to organization's network requirements

Same issue with my T420 on Windows 10. Get Linux, those iGPUs don't play well with W10.

Thank you all for your responses, which are noted with appreciation

I'm currently playing with this easy one: Linux Mint 18 Cinnamon

Most T series thinkpads run mint 'out of the box'. For my windows needs I run win7 in a VM (virtualbox) - fine for MS office. Also run crossover for MS office.