ThinkPad T61 - Legendary for Failure

[wilhelm_ibm]

ThinkPad T61.JPG (139.43 KiB) Viewed 84607 times

This particular computer was turned from a lump of magnesium into a fully functioning computer again by replacing a commonly faulty motherboard.

The ThinkPad T61 was once a powerhouse of a computer when it was available for purchase in the late 2000's. It was one of the first business machines to come with the Intel Core 2 series of processors. These were the first widely-available CPUs with multicore processing. They were also part of the last generation of laptop computers with the once-prolific 4:3 display. The T61 could sport a 14-inch 4:3, 16:10, or a 15.4-inch 16:9 display. Many of them also featured the NVS 140M, a business-grade graphics chip made by Nvidia used to power 3D rendering software like CAD and Blender.

However, this NVS 140M chip has a fatal flaw that makes the computer incredibly hard to find in working condition. Under heavy load, the solder joints of the chip will loosen and cause display issues. Eventually, when heated for long enough, the chip will become loose and completely destroy the machine's ability to display an image.

It is because of this that ThinkPad T61 owners should be extremely careful when they use their device for long periods of time. After August of 2008, these chip malfunctions were fixed on all the produced T61 boards. However, if you have a computer or board with the Nvidia chip dated before that month, it is likely that your machine is vulnerable or possibly suffering from the defect.

Original Motherboard.JPG (188.1 KiB) Viewed 84608 times

The board shown above comes from the same T61 in the photos. The computer was long dead by the time I had received it, and someone had very clearly tried to repair the machine themselves by heating the GPU die with a blow dryer. Of course this did not work, so it sat in a shed somewhere until I found it. I have replaced the motherboard entirely, though I received a 2007 board with the Nvidia chip when I had ordered an Intel chip board. It is fully functional and I have used every precaution I know to increase the thermal performance of the cooling system. That being said, I am not confident to use it for long periods of time.

Branding and Indicator Lights.JPG (168.62 KiB) Viewed 84608 times

At the very least, I can say I have one of the rarer ThinkPad models in working order.

[aladmin]

hey thats pretty cool and that too