Are any ThinkPads compatible with PC3200 RAM?

[Neil]

It was always my thinking that PC3200 RAM was backward compatible with PC2100 and PC2700, so I got a hold of this stick of TRUMP D1SC0816D DDR 1GB-400MHz and have tried to use it in my T41p, A31p, R50p and R51 with Intel GPU. Not one of these machines will even light the LCD with this chip installed, though they do power up without any "no RAM" beeps. Nothing I have seems able to boot with it, I can't even run Memtest to check it out. What do you guys think? Just not compatible?

[ajkula66]

I'd tend to say that it's a bad stick.

I currently have PC3200 in an Intel-based R51 as well as in T42p...just not *that* brand...

[Unknown_K]

Googling that part number got me this:

http://www.memoryten.com/pc/020856/DDR-200p-PC2700-1GB/

They sell that as a PC2700 not PC3200.

Anyway either the chip is bad or it is meant for some non standard chipset (plenty of PC3200 desktop RAM only works with special chipsets by VIA and other Asian brands).

[Neil]

Thanks for the response, guys. It sure seems like this is a bad stick. It was purchased from a forum member (I'm not ready just yet to reveal who), whom I have contacted about the problems I'm having. Here is his response:

I'm sorry to hear about the compatibility problem you are having! I test all my sticks before I ship them out. I have several test laptops, and run memtest against the sticks I sell to make sure there are no issues/problems with them.

Check out my heat! I have never mailed out bad memory (as reflected by my reviews)

I apologize again for the issue. 99% of laptops I deal with downclock... I'm surprised
those aren't !

I think I'm going to have to just ask, straight out, to return it. I was hoping that after I explained my situation, the seller would offer to accept the return. But, as you can see, there was no such offer. I've bought other items from this seller before, and everything else worked as described, so he is probably telling the truth when he says all his sticks are tested before shipping. Still, stuff happens, even during packing and shipping. And, even after delivery, although I can't think of anything I might have done to damage the RAM.

So, assuming the RAM was good when tested by the seller, but never would work for me after delivery, what do you guys think? Should the seller make it good? Or, should I just accept the loss?

[ajkula66]

RAM is a funny thing...

I've lucked out twice with T43p units that I bought as "no warranty/no return" as non-booting items. Both times it was a bad stick of RAM - Elpida no less with a FRU - that prevented them from booting.

I would send the RAM back, but it's obviously your call...

Good luck.

[ParatoOptimal]

I have a 1GB stick of Trump PC-3200 in my X31 working OK.
I got it from a forum member. I never heard of Trump RAM before.
I've gotten several sticks of off-brand RAM from the same member that have worked OK.

My first order was supposed to be Samsung. Somehow it was sold/shipped to someone else after I had ordered it.
He offered a refund or asked if I would wait for him to get more. I waited. He shipped me some no-name RAM that works.
That stick SHOULD have been SAMSUNG. I've since purchase several sticks from him without asking the brand since whatever he ships me seems to work OK at an OK price.

[Neil]

Just to follow up, the seller replaced the bad stick of RAM with another of the same brand and specs which is working fine.

So, not a compatibility issue at all, just bad RAM as others suggested above.