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X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
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X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hey guys, I'm a new-to-me x230 owner that I purchased from ebay. I have also a x220 and a few other thinkpads that I've repaired and come to love these machines.
My x220 had installed in it the following memory: G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C11D-16GSQ
The memory has never given me issues so when my x230 arrived, I tossed in my SSD and my 16gb from the x220 and fired up the x230.
So far, when it does work...I like it slightly more than the x220 when it works.
After installing the memory, I plugged the laptop into my Lenovo Ultrabase series 3 dock which is connected to my U2713hm via displayPort.
After a few minutes, the image on both displays got badly messed up, making the laptop inoperable and seem's to shut it off.
http://i.imgur.com/4xaq5LT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tYZ4WHX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m7ScP8C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wD3AO9G.jpg
So after posting this on Reddit, a few members suggested it may be RAM related. I tossed in the ram that came with the laptop, which was 2GB (x2) Nanya nt2gc64b88g0ns-cg and all works just fine and no issues are present.
So I'm at a point where my 16gb DDR3 G.Skill memory that should work with my x230, doesn't.
I've tried a few bios things to see if it would help resolve it, but nothing helped.
Does anybody have a recommendation on 16GB DDR3 memory that does work with a X230? Locally, most places won't return RAM unless it's defective. I'm hesitant to buy as it's a 50/50 gamble if the ram works or not.
My x220 had installed in it the following memory: G.SKILL 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C11D-16GSQ
The memory has never given me issues so when my x230 arrived, I tossed in my SSD and my 16gb from the x220 and fired up the x230.
So far, when it does work...I like it slightly more than the x220 when it works.
After installing the memory, I plugged the laptop into my Lenovo Ultrabase series 3 dock which is connected to my U2713hm via displayPort.
After a few minutes, the image on both displays got badly messed up, making the laptop inoperable and seem's to shut it off.
http://i.imgur.com/4xaq5LT.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/tYZ4WHX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/m7ScP8C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/wD3AO9G.jpg
So after posting this on Reddit, a few members suggested it may be RAM related. I tossed in the ram that came with the laptop, which was 2GB (x2) Nanya nt2gc64b88g0ns-cg and all works just fine and no issues are present.
So I'm at a point where my 16gb DDR3 G.Skill memory that should work with my x230, doesn't.
I've tried a few bios things to see if it would help resolve it, but nothing helped.
Does anybody have a recommendation on 16GB DDR3 memory that does work with a X230? Locally, most places won't return RAM unless it's defective. I'm hesitant to buy as it's a 50/50 gamble if the ram works or not.
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
That is either a video cable issue or your laptop needs to be hard reset. Shut it down and pull the battery and hold the power button for 30 seconds. You could also have a video driver issue. Is this a new problem and is this laptop new to you?
Also try it with just one dimm of your 16GB kit installed and see if you have any issues. The timings of the ram may need to be adjusted in the bios.
Also try it with just one dimm of your 16GB kit installed and see if you have any issues. The timings of the ram may need to be adjusted in the bios.
T43p,T61,X200,X200s,x201,T500,W500,T510,T410,T410s,T420s,T430,T430s
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hans Gruber wrote:That is either a video cable issue or your laptop needs to be hard reset. Shut it down and pull the battery and hold the power button for 30 seconds. You could also have a video driver issue. Is this a new problem and is this laptop new to you?
Also try it with just one dimm of your 16GB kit installed and see if you have any issues. The timings of the ram may need to be adjusted in the bios.
Sorry, but this isn't a video cable issue nor a hard reset will do anything. This occurred with it on a dock, by having another monitor attached via mini-display port or just the x230 screen by itself. I've also received this issue on the single x230 display when I was simply trying to install windows 7.
Each time the laptop uses the G.Skill memory, this will occur within 5 minutes.
Now with the 4gb of Nanya memory installed...it's been up for 3 hours and hasn't 'crapped out' since.
Regarding the Timings, looking at the bios, there doesn't seem to be much that can be done there for that.
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
You didn't mention a docking station. That brings in a whole new can of worms. Yes, blame the Gskill Ram. That must be it. Couldn't be the docking station? Typically with ram issues the computer will not boot if the ram is not compatible with the laptop.mr.rhtuner wrote:Hans Gruber wrote:That is either a video cable issue or your laptop needs to be hard reset. Shut it down and pull the battery and hold the power button for 30 seconds. You could also have a video driver issue. Is this a new problem and is this laptop new to you?
Also try it with just one dimm of your 16GB kit installed and see if you have any issues. The timings of the ram may need to be adjusted in the bios.
Sorry, but this isn't a video cable issue nor a hard reset will do anything. This occurred with it on a dock, by having another monitor attached via mini-display port or just the x230 screen by itself. I've also received this issue on the single x230 display when I was simply trying to install windows 7.
Each time the laptop uses the G.Skill memory, this will occur within 5 minutes.
Now with the 4gb of Nanya memory installed...it's been up for 3 hours and hasn't 'crapped out' since.
Regarding the Timings, looking at the bios, there doesn't seem to be much that can be done there for that.
T43p,T61,X200,X200s,x201,T500,W500,T510,T410,T410s,T420s,T430,T430s
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Clean the ram with IPA or similar and retest one dimm at a time. Do a memory test too and see if anything shows up. If it works in the X220 without issue then it should work in the X230 too.
Are there any other factors involved? Does it happen even when you don't dock it? Are the temps ok before it fails?
Are there any other factors involved? Does it happen even when you don't dock it? Are the temps ok before it fails?
| 701c | X220 | T420 | X230 | T430s | W540
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hans Gruber wrote:You didn't mention a docking station. That brings in a whole new can of worms. Yes, blame the Gskill Ram. That must be it. Couldn't be the docking station? Typically with ram issues the computer will not boot if the ram is not compatible with the laptop.
mr.rhtuner wrote:After installing the memory, I plugged the laptop into my Lenovo Ultrabase series 3 dock which is connected to my U2713hm via displayPort.
TankPad wrote:Clean the ram with IPA or similar and retest one dimm at a time. Do a memory test too and see if anything shows up. If it works in the X220 without issue then it should work in the X230 too.
Are there any other factors involved? Does it happen even when you don't dock it? Are the temps ok before it fails?
I've been testing yesterday and seriously it occurs the fastest within 40 seconds and sometimes upto 3-5 minutes.
All I do is drag over a 720p stream onto my 27" monitor and have reddit open on the laptop display. Just see what the images show. Laptop screen had Microsoft OWA open and the other was a youtube video of a dog lol
I've noticed it often when trying to hookup a secondary monitor via mini-display port or dock....but when I was trying to figure out if this was driver issue, I started installing Windows 7 on my spare HDD and it did the same thing about 40 seconds into the install.
I'll do a bit more today and find out if its both or one sticks that are causing this. Sucks because my X220 worked perfectly fine with this ram.
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
So here's an update.
I found a good deal on 16GB of crucial memory -Crucial 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory (CT2KIT102464BF160B) and I ordered it knowing the x230 somehow hates my G.Skill ram.
The memory arrived yesterday so I started testing. I installed both Crucial 8gb sticks and loaded up a 720p youtube video, a few tabs on the browser and some terminal sessions, all was fine.
I then took the G.Skill memory and put it into the x230, did the same and within 2 minutes..slightly after loading the youtube video...the laptop crashed.
As I said, the G.Skill memory works perfectly fine in my x220.
Anywho... I doubt the memory is 'defective' if you will. I suspect the x230 or just maybe mine is a bit picky for some darn reason.
I found a good deal on 16GB of crucial memory -Crucial 16GB (2 x 8G) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory (CT2KIT102464BF160B) and I ordered it knowing the x230 somehow hates my G.Skill ram.
The memory arrived yesterday so I started testing. I installed both Crucial 8gb sticks and loaded up a 720p youtube video, a few tabs on the browser and some terminal sessions, all was fine.
I then took the G.Skill memory and put it into the x230, did the same and within 2 minutes..slightly after loading the youtube video...the laptop crashed.
As I said, the G.Skill memory works perfectly fine in my x220.
Anywho... I doubt the memory is 'defective' if you will. I suspect the x230 or just maybe mine is a bit picky for some darn reason.
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hi mr.rhtuner, so did this 16 GB Crucial RAM upgrade work out for you?
Just curious
Just curious
Daily Driver: (X1E3) X1 Extreme 3rd Gen | mobile broadband (WWAN)
Current Thinkpads: X1E3 | X1E1 | X1C10 | X1C9 | X1C4 | X1C3 | X230
Retired Thinkpads: X250 | T410 | T42 | 560 (circa 1996)
Current Thinkpads: X1E3 | X1E1 | X1C10 | X1C9 | X1C4 | X1C3 | X230
Retired Thinkpads: X250 | T410 | T42 | 560 (circa 1996)
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Just ran into this thread; sorry for being late to the game....
X230 uses Intel HD Graphics 4000. It is an "integrated" processor meaning it shares the memory it uses for display(s) with main memory. In other words, there's no separate bank of memory dedicated for video usage; memory is allocated for display purposes dynamically from the pool of main memory. That your system craps out when changing video modes (single display to dual display) can mean a memory or driver issue. Since you have seemed to have fixed the problem by swapping out the G.Skill modules that would point to the memory. I didn't see anywhere in this thread where you explicitly stated that you used a memory diagnostic program, only that "I've been testing yesterday and seriously it occurs the fastest within 40 seconds and sometimes upto 3-5 minutes." If this was just using a dual monitor setup to trigger the failure, then that's not much of a complete test. I suggest that you use memtest86+ to verify that the G.Skill modules are 100%. I would further suggest that you let the modules "cool off" before running the memory diagnostic and allow the program to complete at least three full passes on the modules before declaring them fully functional. Failure can be temperature related. Starting off with the modules cold will help. They will get hot with testing so you'll cover that end of the temperature spectrum.
That your G.Skill modules work fine in the X220 is a little surprising to me. The X220 also uses an integrated video controller (a 3000, not 4000 model) but that could just mean that the memory mapping is a little different, video memory timing between the two system are different, or some other factor which allows the modules to work without any failures.
ref: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
X230 uses Intel HD Graphics 4000. It is an "integrated" processor meaning it shares the memory it uses for display(s) with main memory. In other words, there's no separate bank of memory dedicated for video usage; memory is allocated for display purposes dynamically from the pool of main memory. That your system craps out when changing video modes (single display to dual display) can mean a memory or driver issue. Since you have seemed to have fixed the problem by swapping out the G.Skill modules that would point to the memory. I didn't see anywhere in this thread where you explicitly stated that you used a memory diagnostic program, only that "I've been testing yesterday and seriously it occurs the fastest within 40 seconds and sometimes upto 3-5 minutes." If this was just using a dual monitor setup to trigger the failure, then that's not much of a complete test. I suggest that you use memtest86+ to verify that the G.Skill modules are 100%. I would further suggest that you let the modules "cool off" before running the memory diagnostic and allow the program to complete at least three full passes on the modules before declaring them fully functional. Failure can be temperature related. Starting off with the modules cold will help. They will get hot with testing so you'll cover that end of the temperature spectrum.
That your G.Skill modules work fine in the X220 is a little surprising to me. The X220 also uses an integrated video controller (a 3000, not 4000 model) but that could just mean that the memory mapping is a little different, video memory timing between the two system are different, or some other factor which allows the modules to work without any failures.
ref: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
I find that India Pale Ale is better used for cleaning the insides of my own body, not memory modules And yes I know that you're talking about isopropyl alcohol. It's just that anytime I see IPA in print I immediately think of going to the 'frig and having a cold one.[b]@TankPad[/b] wrote:Clean the ram with IPA or similar and retest one dimm at a time.
Ray Kawakami
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
X22 X24 X31 X41 X41T X60 X60s X61 X61s X200 X200s X300 X301 Z60m Z61t Z61p 560 560Z 600 600E 600X T21 T22 T23 T41 T60p T410 T420 T520 W500 W520 R50 A21p A22p A31 A31p
NOTE: All links to PC-Doctor software hosted by me are dead. Files removed 8/28/12 by manufacturer's demand.
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
I was quite perplexed there for a sec. I've never heard of this Ale before now.rkawakami wrote:I find that India Pale Ale is better used for cleaning the insides of my own body, not memory modules And yes I know that you're talking about isopropyl alcohol. It's just that anytime I see IPA in print I immediately think of going to the 'frig and having a cold one.[b]@TankPad[/b] wrote:Clean the ram with IPA or similar and retest one dimm at a time.
| 701c | X220 | T420 | X230 | T430s | W540
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Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hello, Yes the 16GB Crucial memory works perfectly fine on my X220 and X230w0qj wrote:Hi mr.rhtuner, so did this 16 GB Crucial RAM upgrade work out for you?
Just curious
rkawakami - Thanks for the reply. I'll run memtest on the G.Skill memory again. I did run it for about 2-3 hours a few weeks ago and everything was good, no errors.
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Hello
+1
I have exactly the same screen shot and freeze after upgrading from 4GB to 12GB
(adding this 8MB vengeance : http://www.corsair.com/fr-fr/vengeance- ... m1a1600c10)
I have this laptop for 2 years without any problem (of this kind)
I'm running memtest86+ all the night. It just finished the second pass (~3.5 hours long) without error
My conf : x230i tablet / lubuntu 16.04 / ssd 512G / no docking station / no second screen
I have no idea
Thanks a lot for your help
Jerome
+1
I have exactly the same screen shot and freeze after upgrading from 4GB to 12GB
(adding this 8MB vengeance : http://www.corsair.com/fr-fr/vengeance- ... m1a1600c10)
I have this laptop for 2 years without any problem (of this kind)
I'm running memtest86+ all the night. It just finished the second pass (~3.5 hours long) without error
My conf : x230i tablet / lubuntu 16.04 / ssd 512G / no docking station / no second screen
I have no idea
Thanks a lot for your help
Jerome
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
Test results : strange things occurs...
legacy ram : ddr3 1600MHz - PC3 12800 - hynix 4GB
added ram : ddr3 1600MHz - PC3 12800 - vengeance 8GB
I use memtets86+ v4.20 from grub
test 1 :
identified as ddr3-1330 at 665MHz
after 8:49 hours running, 4 passes 1/2 , 0 errors
test2 :
identified as ddr3-1330 at 665MHz
after 15:58 hours running, 7 passes 1/4 , 0 errors
after those tests (machine warmed) : i can use it without freeze
I let it cooling for 1 hour then try to use it --> freeze
I let it cooling for 1 hour then try another memetest
identified as ddr3-2661 at 1330MHz
after 8:54 hours running, 4 passes 1/2 , 0 errors
I let it cooling for 1 hour and swap ram sockets then try to use it --> freeze
with only the new ram -> freeze again
any idea ???
legacy ram : ddr3 1600MHz - PC3 12800 - hynix 4GB
added ram : ddr3 1600MHz - PC3 12800 - vengeance 8GB
I use memtets86+ v4.20 from grub
test 1 :
identified as ddr3-1330 at 665MHz
after 8:49 hours running, 4 passes 1/2 , 0 errors
test2 :
identified as ddr3-1330 at 665MHz
after 15:58 hours running, 7 passes 1/4 , 0 errors
after those tests (machine warmed) : i can use it without freeze
I let it cooling for 1 hour then try to use it --> freeze
I let it cooling for 1 hour then try another memetest
identified as ddr3-2661 at 1330MHz
after 8:54 hours running, 4 passes 1/2 , 0 errors
I let it cooling for 1 hour and swap ram sockets then try to use it --> freeze
with only the new ram -> freeze again
any idea ???
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
This is a wild guess:
Try taking out your new RAM stick, and put it back in.
Perhaps your new RAM stick is just *barely* touching your motherboard, such what:
~When machine is hot, the metal expands, and your RAM stick makes correct contact with motherboard (RAM "OK").
~When machine cools off, the metal shrinks, and your RAM loses some of the contacts with motherboard, hence causing freezing?
Good luck!
Try taking out your new RAM stick, and put it back in.
Perhaps your new RAM stick is just *barely* touching your motherboard, such what:
~When machine is hot, the metal expands, and your RAM stick makes correct contact with motherboard (RAM "OK").
~When machine cools off, the metal shrinks, and your RAM loses some of the contacts with motherboard, hence causing freezing?
Good luck!
Daily Driver: (X1E3) X1 Extreme 3rd Gen | mobile broadband (WWAN)
Current Thinkpads: X1E3 | X1E1 | X1C10 | X1C9 | X1C4 | X1C3 | X230
Retired Thinkpads: X250 | T410 | T42 | 560 (circa 1996)
Current Thinkpads: X1E3 | X1E1 | X1C10 | X1C9 | X1C4 | X1C3 | X230
Retired Thinkpads: X250 | T410 | T42 | 560 (circa 1996)
Re: X230 Users...my X230 doesn't like my 16gb G.Skill memory kit
This sounds like a voltage problem.
It is preferable to use 1.35V memory on x30 series and above.
Your crucial Memory is 1.35V while the G.Skill i think is 1.5V.
The X220 should handle 1.5V memory without issues.
It is preferable to use 1.35V memory on x30 series and above.
Your crucial Memory is 1.35V while the G.Skill i think is 1.5V.
The X220 should handle 1.5V memory without issues.
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