Defective x220? Constantly blinking display (even in BIOS)

So I just got my x220 today. I turned it on and the setup went fine. I upgraded the memory to 8 GB and everything was working ok. Then (about 20 minutes later) as I was surfing the web, the screen went blank randomly and the computer seemed to keep starting and shutting itself off. Now no matter what I do, the screen just keeps blinking on and off, even in bios. I reset the bios to factory settings (not that I ever changed anything there anyway). I also changed my hard drive to a blank 7200rpm 320gb disk and I just can't stop the blinking from happening.

I have never seen this problem but it has essentially rendered the laptop useless. Anyone have any idea of what could be wrong?

Ugh, the laptop seemed great for a few minutes but this is very disappointing, I don't have time to fix this thing.

One thing I noticed is that my screen brightness controls (FN + Home/End) only worked on the first boot, after rebooting they just stopped working. I also recall changing my power manager setting a few seconds before this thing started. Connecting to AC power helps to greatly reduce the amount of blinking, but it still happens.

 

This might be the power manager. Did you try reinstalling it along with the driver?

I'd also suggest performing memtest86+ although it doesn't sound like a faulty memory problem. Or you can simply remove the RAM stick you added and see if that resolves the problem.

To completely rule out the possibility that it might be a software-related issue, you could do BIOS reset and Windows reinstall.

 

My x220 starting acting up today too with the screen. It's definately a loose connection or faulty screen for me.

Alot of the pixels on the screen are flashing red on my screen and flickering. Guess it's time to test out the next day onsite warranty repair. Will lenovo send a guy out with a new screen to replace, or do I need to send my system back by mail?

 

Hmm, so I connected the x220 to an external display, now it is usable, no more blinking. This rules out any issues with the graphics output. Something is wrong with the display perhaps? Maybe a loose connector? Or something with the power manager. My new 7200rpm HD now has the factory install of windows.

Can anyone tell me how to reset everything to factory defaults? I reset bios, and installed the factory windows image, is there anything else to do?


Update: This just gets weirder. After connecting to the external display, the laptop no longer recognizes its own main display. Upon disconnecting the external display, the main display remains blank...

 

Hmm, I think I might have found something. So I am running on just AC power with no battery. All seems normal now. Problem with the battery? None of this is making much sense...

The weird thing now is that, every 30 seconds to about 1 minute it goes into standby for no reason.

Update: Nvm, started blinking after a few minutes of being normal. This is some hardware defect I'm pretty sure, reset everything back to factory norms, in bios, power manager, OS and problem persists.

 

I have spent several hours trying to diagnose the problem, it is now clear to me it is a hardware problem. I have contacted lenovo, I have only depot warranty though, but I am attempting to get a new system all together. My system not only has this flickering screen issue but, random restart loops as well as random crashes and somehow right out of the box, it had a scratch on the palm rest. This is all on a factory image of course. I find this to be completely unacceptable. I hope lenovo addresses these problems quickly. I cannot say I am very pleased with them right now.

 

have you tried booting a live linux cd operating system to confirm?

 

System defective, send it back immediatly for a new one. No repairs for me, brand new replacement is the only solution. Good luck stackPointer2.0

 

I would do what ferganer80 suggests and remove your ram and put it back to stock as it came to you. Bad ram can cause all kinds of crazy crap. it takes all of 3 mins so worth atleast trying.

 

I would not accept any repair if i were you. Just call them and send it back! Plz let us know how lenovo deal with your problem.

 

Send it back --and my advice would be to add the onsite coverage on the next one you order. It's $25-30 well spent.

 

I will not accept any repair, this system has far too many problems and I don't trust its reliability at all. I will have to contact Lenovos sales dept. which will not be open until Monday. I really hope this will be resolved fast. I have already had to wait for so long for this system and now I will have to ship it back and wait for a new one...

Tried it with 2 other DDR3 DIMs, no luck.

Confirmed, the problem persists at all times no matter what the computer is doing.

 

Update:

Lenovo refused to allow me to exchange the system for a new one, instead they are allowing me to return it for a full refund which I am doing. I now placed a new order for an x220.

i7-2620M
4GB DDR3 (free upgade, but already have 8GB kit which I will use instead)
320gb 7200rpm
IPS
6205 AGN Wifi
9 cell
720p HD Web Cam
Fingerprint reader

 

Lenovo Repair guy is coming tomorrow with new screen to swap out for me. I'll post results here.

 

to stack. I swear sometimes Lenovo's policy's make no sense what so ever. I mean really how hard could it have been just to swap it out. Well atleast they got you fixed this way. how long are you going have to wait for your new system?

ym

 

Indeed, I tried to argue with them for quite a while but they just wouldn't cooperate. I was also shocked that they kept wanting me to send it in to repair. This is a brand new machine and its defective right out of the box, it makes no sense to send it in for repair. They should have just exchanged it.

They say it will take about 10-12 days to refund my laptop. The new laptop is estimated to ship in early June... so I will be without a x220 for a fairly long time.

I guess I was treated decently well compared to some people who lenovo asked to pay a 15% restocking fee to return a defective unit.

 

Update:

Lenovo still has yet to give me my refund on the x220 I sent back, I plan to give them a few more days before calling to see whats up.

On the bright side, I got my new x220 (which has slightly better specs than the defective one) and everything seems to be working perfectly. I can finally say I'm pretty happy with the system now now that everything is working nicely.

Built very well and feels solid/sturdy and the performance is very impressive as is the battery life.