Difference between revisions of "Known Problems"

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Information on known problems with certain ThinkPad models.
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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:
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*[[Problem with Pixel Error|Problem with dead pixels or subpixels on TFT display panels]]
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*[[Problem with broken inverter]]
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*[[Problem with key and trackpoint markings on the display]]
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*[[Problem with red display shadow|Problem with slow response rate of red subpixels on TFT display panels]]
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*[[Problem with red tinted display|Problem with failing CCFL tubes on CCFL-backlit display panels]]
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*[[Problem with hot surfaces]]
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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.
 
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==Display Problems==
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==Hardware Problems==
*[[Problem with unusable console | Console unusable]] <tt>(models with savage video chipset: T2x, A22e)</tt>
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===Display-related===
*[[Problem with Pixel Error | Dead pixels on TFT displays]] <tt>(all models)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=125590 Problem with air bubbles forming due to inadequate adhesive used] (X61 Tablet)
*[[Problem with DVI throughput | DVI throughput on port replicators and docks]] <tt>(models from 2000-2004)</tt>
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*[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)
*[[Problems with fglrx | Problems with ATI proprietary fglrx display driver]] <tt>(ATI Radeon models)</tt>
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*[https://support.lenovo.com/sg/en/solutions/ht051485 Problem with image retention/persistence on IPS-based TFT displays] (X220, X220i, X220 Tablet, X220i Tablet)
*[[Problem with garbled screen | Garbled Screen]] <tt>(T40, T41, T42, R32, R40, R50p, R51, A30, A31, A31p)</tt>
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*[[Problem with broken inverter | Inverter broken]] <tt>(all models)</tt>
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===Storage-related===
*[[Problem with key and trackpoint markings on the display | Key and Trackpoint markings on display]]
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*[[Problem with hard drive clicking|Problem with hard drive clicking noises caused by excessive head parking]] (any model with a AAM/APM-capable HDD)
*[https://bugs.freedesktop.org/show_bug.cgi?id=2187 Radeon 7500 "DynamicClocks" randomly hangs] <tt>(TP T4x, Xorg-X11 bug report)</tt>
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*[[Problem with failing Zip drive|Problem with failing Ultrabay 2000 Zip 250 drives]]
*[[Problem with red display shadow | Red shadow on display]] <tt>(TP T41p)</tt>
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*[[Problem with red tinted display | Red tinted display]] <tt>(TP 23)</tt>
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===Motherboard-related===
*[[Problem with black X | Unmovable square black X in X]] <tt>(TP T2x)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=59577 Problem with faulty voltage regulators] (A2x, T20, T21, T22)
*[[Problem with video related system lockup | System Lockups related to video adapter]] <tt>(TP T2x)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=21979 Problem with inductors falling off] (T23)
*[[Problem with video related system lockup II | System Lockups related to video adapter T42]] <tt>(TP T42, T42p)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com//viewtopic.php?t=60935 Problem with capacitors falling off] (R31)
*[[Problem with video blanks after lid close and open | Video blanks after closing and opening lid]] <tt>(X41)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=122413 Problem with faulty VRAM chips] (A3x)
*[[Problem with ati driver in xorg 6.9.x | System lockup soon after starting xorg 6.9.x ]] <tt>(TP T4x)</tt>
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=101400 Problem with dead audio codec chip] (A31, A31p)
*[[Problem with video output switching | Video output switching]]
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*[[Problem with failing memory slot|Problem with loose solder joints on a RAM slot]] (T20, T21, T30, X3x)
*[[Problem with LCD brightness buttons | Video brightness up keys don't work or cause crashes]]
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*[[Problem with garbled screen|Problem with corrupted/garbled graphics caused by loose/fractured solder joints on GPU chip]] (A3x, T30, T4x, R32, R40, R5x)
*VGA-out will die and needs mainboard replacing <tt>(X61)</tt>
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*[[Problem with USB 2.0|Problem with loose southbridge chips]] (T4x, R5x, X40)
*[[Debian Nvidia Drivers on the T530 | Getting the most from your NVidia hardware on a T530 with Debian linux]]
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=83881 Problem with dead southbridge caused by inadequate short-circuit protection] (X40)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=93849 Problem with faulty VRAM chips] (T60p, T60, R60, R60i, Z61m, Z61p)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=100554 Problem with faulty NVIDIA GPU caused by inadequate solder bump material] (T61p, T61, R61, R61i)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=75571 Problem with dead VGA port] (X61, X61s, X61 Tablet)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=114823 Problem with broken USB ports' tabs] (W500, T400, T500, R400, R500)
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*[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)
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*[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)
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===Power-related===
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*[[Problem with ThinkPad 600 batteries|Problem with premature battery death]] (600 series)
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*[[Problem with high pitch noises]] (some models)
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*[[Damage in 56W AC-Adapter, plastic housing melted|Problem with damaged 56 W AC adapters]]
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===External-related===
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=42006 Problem with cracks forming on palmrest or keyboard bezel] (T2x)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=48934 Problem with loose hinges] (X2x)
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*Problem with hairline cracks forming nearby hinges (R3x)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=81602 Problem with hairline crack forming on display bezel] (X3x)
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*[[Problem with Bending / Twisting|Problem with malformed casing caused by bending/twisting]] (T4x, X4x)
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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)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=105764 Problem with broken left hinge] (SLx00 series)
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*[https://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=115392#p741280 Problem with stiff or loose left hinge caused by broken magnesium frame] (W500, T500)
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*[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==
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===Display-related===
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*[[Problem with DVI throughput|Problem with DVI throughput on port replicators and docks]] (models from 2000-2004)
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*[[Problems with fglrx |Problem with ATI proprietary fglrx display driver]] (all models with an ATI display controller)
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*[[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 video output switching]]
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*[[Problem with LCD brightness buttons|Problem with LCD brightness controls not working or causes crashes]] (some models with ACPI)
  
==Harddisk Drive related Problems==
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===Storage-related===
*[[Problem with APS harddisk parking|APS harddisk parking]] <tt>(models featuring APS)</tt>
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*[[Problem with APS harddisk parking]] (all models with APS)
*[[Problem with too large harddrive|BIOS hangs with harddrive sized over 8G]] <tt>(560)</tt>
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*[[Problem with too large harddrive]] (560)
*[[Problem with hard drive clicking | Clicking Hard Drive]] <tt>(models with Hitachi's 5k80 hard drive)</tt>
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*[[Problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks]] (T43, T43p, R52, X41)
*[[Problem with non-ThinkPad hard disks|Non-ThinkPad hard disks]] <tt>(T43, X41, R52)</tt>
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*[[How to put SATA in old ThinkPads#over-validated input|Problem with SATA performance limited to UDMA 2]] (all models with a I/O controller capable of only IDE)
*[[Problems with SATA and Linux|SATA and Linux]] <tt>(T43, X41, R52, Z60)</tt>
 
  
==Network Problems==
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===Network-related===
*[[Problem with 3Com 10/100 Ethernet card not being recognized|3Com 10/100 Ethernet card not recognized]] <tt>(models with that card)</tt>
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*[[Problem with error 01C9 - More than one Ethernet devices]] (A31, A31p, T23, T30, X22, X23, X24, X30)
*[[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card|"Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802)]] <tt>(Recent TPs)</tt>
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*[[Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid]] (any model with the 82573L LAN controller)
*[[Cisco Aironet Wireless 802.11b]] fails to work with certain firmware versions
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*[[Problem with 3945ABG: Internal wifi cannot associate with AP]] (any model with the 3945ABG WLAN card)
*[[Problem with error 01C9 - More than one Ethernet devices | Error 01C9: More than one Ethernet Devices are found (Atheros WLAN MiniPCI)]] <tt>(T23, T30, A31p, R40 and others)</tt>
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*[[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)
*[[Problem with e1000: EEPROM Checksum Is Not Valid]] <tt>(T60, X60, may be others)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with e1000: 99.9% packet loss on 7.x drivers]] <tt>(Recent TPs)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with 3945ABG: Internal wifi cannot associate with AP]] <tt>(T60, probably others)</tt>
 
*[[Need to disable V90/V92/56K modem speed]] ([[IBM_Integrated_Bluetooth_III_with_56K_Modem_(BMDC-2)|BMDC-2]] on X40)
 
  
==Power Management, AC-adapter or Battery Problems==
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===Power-related===
*[[Problem with ThinkPad 600 batteries | 600 series Battery dying prematurely]] <tt>(TP 600/E/X)</tt>
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*[[Problems with ACPI suspend-to-ram]] (ACPI sleep troubles)
*[[Damage in 56W AC-Adapter, plastic housing melted |AC-Adapter damaged, plastic housing melted]] <tt>(240, 390, i and s models)</tt>
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**[[Problem with display remaining black after resume]] (various models)
*[[Problems with ACPI suspend-to-ram|ACPI suspend-to-ram]] <tt>(ACPI sleep troubles)</tt>
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**[[Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep]] (various models)
**[[Problem with display remaining black after resume|Blank display after resume]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
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**[[Problem with LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep]] (various models)
**[[Problem with high power drain in ACPI sleep | High power drain in ACPI sleep]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
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*[[Problem with fan noise|Problem with fan noise]] (some models)
**[[Problem with LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep | LCD backlight remaining on during ACPI sleep]] <tt>(various models)</tt>
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*[[Problem with checking battery status|Problem with checking battery status causes mouse to jerk around]] (R31)
*[[Problem with fan noise | Fan noise]] <tt>(TP T4x/p, TP R5x/p)</tt>
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*[[Problem with CPU frequency scaling|Problem with CPU locked to lowest frequency under AC power only]] (any model with SpeedStep or Cool'n'Quiet)
*[[Problem with checking battery status | Checking battery status causes mouse to jerk around]] <tt>(R31)</tt>
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*[[Problem with system turning itself on|Problem with immediate restarts from suspend, hibernate, and halt]] (some models)
*[[Battery drains despite seemingly being charged]] <tt>(A/C adapter issues)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with high pitch noises | High pitch noises]] <tt>(several models)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with CPU frequency scaling | CPU frequency scaling locks up when on AC power only]] <tt>(several models)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with system turning itself on | Immediate restarts from suspend, hibernate, and halt]] <tt>(several models)</tt>
 
*[[Replacing your AC Adapter or AC/DC Combo adapter]] <tt>(many models)</tt>
 
  
==Sound Problems==
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===Audio-related===
*[[Problem with broken sound on ThinkPad 600 | Broken sound on ThinkPad 600/E]] <tt>(TP 600/E/X, 770Z)</tt>
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*[[Problem with audio clipping|Problem with audio clipping caused by excessive sound amplification]] (any model with an AD1981A or AD1981B AC'97 codec)
*[[Problem with audio jacks | Audio jacks not working properly]] <tt>(TP T43)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with ALSA audio output | No audio heard with kernel 2.6.11+/ALSA]] <tt>(TP T43, T40)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with audio clipping|Audio clipping]] <tt>(TP T43)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with no sound on ThinkPad R60e | No Sound on ThinkPad R60e and T60]] <tt>(R60e, T60)</tt>
 
  
==Misc Problems==
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===BIOS/UEFI-related===
*[[System randomly freezes and requires hard reset]] <tt>(X61s and all newer systems including X,T,R,Z series)</tt>
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*[[Problem with unauthorized MiniPCI network card|"Unauthorized" MiniPCI Wireless Network card error (Error 1802)]] (models with MiniPCI, MiniPCIe, and M.2 slots)
*[[Problem with Bending / Twisting|Casing malformed by bending/twising]] <tt>(X41)</tt>
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*[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)
*[[Problem with failing memory slot]] <tt>(T30, some T2x and X3x models)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with Dock USB Ports | Dock USB Ports]] <tt>(T30/X21)</tt>
 
*[[High-pitch noise from AC-Adapter]] <tt>(T60/p)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with lm-sensors | lm_sensors kills ThinkPads]] <tt>(TP 570E, 770X/Z, 600E/X, 240, X20)</tt>
 
*[[Problem with USB 2.0 | USB 2.0 problems]] <tt>(T40/T41/X40)</tt>
 
 
*[[Embedded Controller Firmware#Firmware_issues|Firmware issues]]
 
*[[Embedded Controller Firmware#Firmware_issues|Firmware issues]]
*[[Problem with hot surfaces|Problem with hot surfaces]] <tt>(T43)</tt>
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*[[Problem with disabled VT]] <tt>(Z61t, X60, X60s)</tt>
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===External-related===
*[[Unable to create recovery cds when another python is installed on the system]] <tt>(T43p)</tt>
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*[[Problem with Dock USB Ports]]
*[[Problems accessing cdrom drive]] <tt>(T400)</tt>
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*[[Problems accessing cdrom drive]] (T400)
*[[Overheating]] <tt>(X200)</tt>
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*[[Problem with Overheating then reboot since Ubuntu 11.10]] (T500)
*[[Problem with Overheating then reboot since Ubuntu 11.10]] <tt>(T500)</tt>
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*[[Problem with failing Zip drive]] <tt>(Zip 250 for Ultrabay 2000)</tt>
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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

Display-related

Storage-related

Motherboard-related

Power-related

External-related

Software Problems

Display-related

Storage-related

Network-related

Power-related

Audio-related

BIOS/UEFI-related

External-related