T42 + Kingston memory = jerky pointer motion

[tfan]

Hi all,

I have T42 that I bought last year, that came with a 512 MB ram. I recently (last week) bought 512 MB more of Kingston memory from NewEgg (this memory has a lifetime warranty). This memory is a 2700 (the original RAM module in there is a 2700 too).

After installation, I have noticed that my pointer motion is jerky. When I move the pointer continously, I see that the pointer stops for a break for a fraction of a second every 3 seconds or so. I used a mouse, the trackpoint and the touchpad and saw the same issue.

I don't really see any other performance hit. Don't know what is causing this and what can I do to fix this. Would appreciate any suggestions. Couldn't find anything after a search on the forums.

Hope to hear a few suggestions..

[sugo]

You can try running memory test to make sure the new module works as expected.

[tfan]

[quote="sugo"]You can try running memory test to make sure the new module works as expected.[/quote]

Would you have any suggestion regarding a good memory test program to use? I used memtest to test the unused memory section, and it reported no errors.

[bhtooefr]

Three seconds?

Hmm... try removing the module, and try again. It should still happen.

What I think you're running into is a feature of the TrackPoint. If it's reading a constant force for three seconds, it'll zero out everything. That's done so that if there's a change in the atmosphere that messes with the A/D convertor on the TrackPoint, it won't go nuts. However, if you put a constant force on it for three seconds, it'll also trigger.

Myself, I wish that there was a way to extend it to, oh, five seconds.

[changhsu]

What's the conclusion on this?

I have a T40 with 1GB of Kingston memory, my trackpoint jerks intermittently, it bothers the heck out of me.

I haven't bothered to take out the RAM because I'll have to remove the keyboard, too much trouble.

[paul_1011]

I have the same problem, I havent tried removing my additional memory as yet as after the latest updates the problem is now much reduced.

On my machine however, it wasnt just the mouse pointer that stuck every 3 seconds, try playing a video file and you might notice that it just stops for a split second every 3 seconds.

I was at my wits end with this problem, but because it hardly happens anymore I am ok with it.

[changhsu]

Now that you've mentioned it, yes, I do have jerky movie playback also. Which is quite unacceptable on a machine of this class.

At first I thought it was the CPU's SpeedStep throttling the CPU but even after I put my power profile on max performance, my mouse still jerks.

The mouse jerks seem to be reduced after I disable IBM's UltraNav software. The scrolling and navigation in FireFox is much better without it.

[paul_1011]

I really should get around to checking if memory is the problem.

Thing is....I have spotted a Z series that I like the look and price of, so I may just give my newish (t43) to one of my employees and buy the Z series for myself!

[chris-ee]

I too have this problem. I have 1 GB of Kingston KVR 333/pc2700.

T41, 1.4 Banias.

After I upgraded the bios to the latest version it seemed to get better, to the point where I don't notice it.

I have a couple other sticks of ram that I can test, and I'll see if it is my Kingston stick that does it. Using SiSoft Sandra 2005 Memory Burn in, it was stable.

Judging by the fact that so many people have this problem with Kingston memory, it might be the memory, or, it could be that 1 GB of any memory has problems, and maybe the Kingston users are far numerous and more vocal.

[paul_1011]

Sorry, forgot to mention that my memory is a 1 GB Stick from crucial, not Kingston.

[changhsu]

Forgot to mention, I have another T40 that has the same problem. It does NOT use Kingston memory. Should we do a poll to see how common this problem is? Thanks!