Frustrating T400

I've really wanted to like the T400 so far, but I haven't had much good come of using it. Vista is unusable. I have to reboot it multiple times simply to load into Windows fully (otherwise, portions of the OS don't load and I can't use anything). To show the laptop down, I have to hold the power button...shutting down via Vista doesn't work.

I decided to resize the partition and install Ubuntu. I almost got wireless working on it, today. But it too has issues booting.

I'm not sure if this is just a Vista problem, but I've had the laptop less than 2 weeks and I'm frustrated as all hell. Anyone with similar issues?

 

You are frustrated with Vista, there are many people have the similar issues. You repartitioned hd and are trying out Ubuntu, almost got wireless working, but having issues booting today, not sure how many people would have the same issues as you do. But, is there anything to do with T400? I think a vista forum or an Ubuntu forum would be more helpful for you.

BTW, I don't even think Lenovo tech support will help you since you've wondered too far from factory settings.

 

Mainly, I'm frustrated to have so many problems with the laptop out of the box. I expected minor inconveniences, but not to be approaching paperweight after 2 weeks.

The problems in Vista were all present before the repartition, FWIW.

I guess it may be a Vista-only problem. Who knows.

 

What do you mean when you say "has issues booting"? Can you describe in more detail the boot problems with Vista and the boot problems with Ubuntu? Are they similar?

 

Basically, Vista will get to various stages of booting and logging in before quitting. Sometimes the screen blacks out before the login prompt, sometimes afterwards, and sometimes the desktop partially loads (but most of the startup programs don't).

Ubuntu, I got as far as a pleasant orange screen today.

Both have booted successfully. Vista seems to fail way more often than not, while Ubuntu fails less frequently.

 

It could be a lemon. I'd try to contact Lenovo, and see about getting a replacement. That's just not normal what you're describing.

 

I think Ubutnu by default installs an option to run memtest86 (you can select it from the bootloader). It might be worthwhile to try that. Leave that running overnight, see if there's a problem with the memory.

 

Yea, that could be a bad repartition, maybe the mbr messed up. What can you tell Lenovo? I got a Vista machine, it was working, I repartitioned it, installed a linux, now neither would work, can you replace one for me?

 

Problems with Vista existed before the repartition.

 

Then wipe it clean, restore it to factory state, see if Vista is working, if not, you have a valid case, otherwise it's really hard to press.

 

Reinstall Vista, perhaps. Ubuntu would be nice as well. :smile:

Head over to the Linux section for instructions on how to dual-boot, if you wish.

 

install XP

 

My issue is not with installing OSes. I know how to do it, partition, the whole deal. I was simply curious if others had similar experiences, perhaps more clearly indicating a hardware problem rather than a software one.

 

I haven't had any issues with the default Vista install on my T400. It sounds like you might have a hardware issue. I would do a restore to the factory state, see if it is still unstable. If so, contact Lenovo support and get a replacement.

 

Did you try to go in bios and disable discrete graphics and see what happens if you install any os using internal graphics? also try the same with discrete graphics and see if that works otherwise I beilieve its a RAM issue.

 

Vista is simply a nightmare, you would expect a more matured OS after more than a year after its release.

Get XP and period.

 

If you can't get it to boot properly and/or you can't get programs to run when it boots up it sounds like a memory problem.

If you have two DIMMs you might want to try your system with only 1 DIMM at a time. If not, it might be worth trying to buy another stick of RAM before sending it back to lenovo.

You could try some sort of memtest, but it might crash before you can get any useful information out of it.

 

Interesting how experiences can be completely opposite. A long time late-adopter of OS's (I stick with Win2k until after XP SP2), I decided to give this first time with Vista a chance with my T400. You know what?

Vista works just fine for me and I don't see any reason to go back to XP.

 

Same here Lew. On a whim I bought Vista Ultimate 64 in roughly the first week of release and installed it on a custom desktop I was building (after having XP on it). A year later I finally got the quad core that I wanted (but cost too much when I first built the system) and replaced the mobo, RAM and CPU and reinstalled Vista SP1 (Ultimate 64) and it's been a fine experience.

I knew I shouldn't have left my T400 on the factory install, I've been reinstalling everything since last night on a fresh Vista Business 64 install to cut down the bloat and since I prefer running it set up the way I want it. We'll see how that works out, without all the extra crap it's feeling snappier than it already was, the factory install wasn't as bad as many laptops I've used.

 

I agree with the others that said it might be a hardware issue. Something doesn't sound right and since both Vista and Linux are having similar problems, it seems to point to a hardware issue. I would run memtest86+ on your memory modules. If you have 2 modules I would pull one out and run memtest86+ on each one separately. I would also try to checkout your harddrive as well. I don't know what I would recommend to check the drive, maybe PCDoctor's utilties or checkdisk?

 

Is that statement made from your own experience or just from hearsay?

I just got a new laptop with Vista. Vista works. Of course, some stuff are different compared to the 7 years-old XP but that should be expected. No nightmare.

 

Your experience sounds similar to the one I had with my T61 that I received about six months ago. I only used it for a short time and put it aside. It's now hooked up to a 50" TV at the office and we use it for surfing the net and watching videos. Once I got Vista SP1, it was a little better, but still too unreliable to be used as a business laptop.

That's one of the reasons that I just purchased a Dell E6400. Running Vista it has none of the issues that I experienced with the T61.