RAM Upgrade

[Nine Juan Juan]

I'm changing my laptop and I'm passing on my IBM T30 to my sister. I've been using this machine for a few years and it's still going strong so I figure it'll last for a while longer.

Anyway, as the topic indicates, I want to upgrade the RAM. I currently have a Kingston Chip in the laptop running 512MB (in a singular slot. - I know the front slots on the T30s are notorious for failing but I haven't tried the front slot) I want to upgrade to 2GB and I'd like your advice as to how I should proceed. Is the best way to test the front slot & get two 1GB chips or is it best to just get a 2GB for the (already confirmed) working slot? Is either method particularly better than the other?

Also, I know RAM chips have different speeds. How does that factor in for me? I believe the bus architecture is 266 Mhz in the T30. Does that mean that the RAM chip(s) I buy cannot be in excess of 266 Mhz? Does the bus architecture even factor in?

Any help is greatly appreciated and you need only ask if you need any additional information.

IBM T30 (2366 - BIOS 2.03)

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to the forum.

You can use either DDR-PC2100 (266MHz) or DDR-PC2700 (333MHz) 200-pin SODIMMs, get the cheapest.
The T30 can only use a maximum of 2x 1GB RAM (2GB modules won't work).
Currently they are around $20.- each on eBay.

Also, see this in our Market forum: http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?f=11&t=109890

[jronald]

To add a little:
The sweet spot on these machines is the 2.0 CPU and 1.5 gig on the RAM, when running XP. Higher RAM wont hurt, but a faster CPU will run significantly hotter. The fastest CPU, a 2.4 will make it to hot to sit on your lap. Of the 20 or 30 I have personally upgraded, none of mine ever left any higher than 2.0. I do own, and dont use a 2.4, because of the heat.

If you want to go back original, I can provide copies of the System Restore Discs, plus updates for a nominal fee. I would not attempt any OS later than XP, you will not enjoy the results.

YMMV
Ron