T30 memory slot problem

[tonymcclellan]

[censored] I think I am having this problem now.

[fleming164]

I'm just about to have a go at fixing this issue, thought I'd post a photo of the pins that are causing the issue.

http://imgur.com/CwWUU

(I know it's an old thread but I thought it might help someone)

[cleavet]

I tried resoldering the pins on the problem socket but was not able to fix the problem. I'm not sure if it was due to poor technique (I'm relatively new to SMD soldering) or an insufficiently fine tip on my iron. After a second failed attempt I decided not to proceed further. I may have another go at it if I can get better magnification. I was using a x10 loupe and it was unnerving bending so close to the board.

[RealBlackStuff]

@fleming164:
Usually it's the 3-4 pins on either side of the slot, rarely ones in the middle, like yours.

@cleavet:
you need to use flux, this one is perfect: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Chemtronics-Cir ... 0732315071
I've used it on several T30 boards, and all came back to life.
You don't even need a magnifier to do the job.
Just spread the flux over the contacts (it works like a highlighter, with the same type of applicator), and heat up 3-4 pins at a time for a few seconds, preferably using a flat soldering bit (like a screwdriver).

[cadillacmike68]

Thanks again RBS. Now I know what to do when i get back home (next year - ) ...

[cleavet]

@RealBlackStuff: I did use flux--knew I forgot to mention something. I used MG Chemicals' flux pen, which is a handy little tool. For my first try I reflowed each pin. On the second try I wicked up the solder with some braid and applied new solder with a fine chisel tip. After each go I examined with the loupe for any bridged pins but my aged eye (it was a loupe, after all) had trouble discerning individual pins.

I figure I'll try again once I get more SMD soldering practice under my belt.

Out of curiousity, what sort of soldering tool did you use? If it was variable temp, what did you set it at?

Tom C.

[RealBlackStuff]

I used a 30W regular soldering iron with a tip that I had flattened with a file, as well as the above mentioned Chemtronics 8100 flux.

[oldbloke]

Well, I'm gonna give the soldering a go on the T30 I have aquired. The front memory slot is the culprit and when I look at the pins a lot of them are "moveable" when teased with a small screwdriver, so I hope I'm successful!

Would the flux pen below be suitable?

http://www.maplin.co.uk/flux-dispensing-pen-33849

Martin

[RealBlackStuff]

That's the same one I use!

[oldbloke]

That's great RBS! I thought it looked the same as the one which you recommended in an earlier post. That ebay supplier in the US doesn't ship them internationally, hence me finding one here in the UK.
I'll nip and get one from my local Maplin tomorrow.
Thanks.

Martin

[jronald]

Regardless of the condtions of the memory slots on the T30, I have always used strips of cardboard to shim the top of the chip against the cover. This crutches the issue with the slot turning loose but knock on wood, other than the first 2 boards I purchased, none of the 30 or so other I have built and donated have come loose.

Ron

[oldbloke]

Regardless of the condtions of the memory slots on the T30, I have always used strips of cardboard to shim the top of the chip against the cover. This crutches the issue with the slot turning loose but knock on wood, other than the first 2 boards I purchased, none of the 30 or so other I have built and donated have come loose.

Ron

Ron,

My T30 is currently running 2 x 512Mb memory modules fine with a tailored strip of plastic holding down the front SODIMM, but I do intend to re-flow it when I have used the recovery discs which you supplied and have the machine all up and working fine. I do have another issue with the Ethernet port - it reports "unplugged" so I guess that is a mobo hardware problem also.

I like tinkering you see and the T30 was a throw-away item from a friend!

Martin

[jronald]

On the Ethernet, Im going on memory, but Im thinking that it can NOT be unplugged perse'. It is all soldered to the I/O board on the back of the unit. Dont confuse Unplugged with NOT plugged in! If the cable is not plugged into the back of the T30, it will say its unplugged.

Hope I did not lose you, in the above double speak!
Ron

[oldbloke]

Ron,
No you didn't lose me with that, I guess I didn't phrase the post too well - my bad!
The eth cable IS "plugged in" and the cable is good - however the T30 insists it is "unplugged"
No problem really, I'm using a wireless card in a slot for 'net access.

I fear a dismantle and inspection of the mobo socket around the eth port is on the cards
Martin

[jronald]

Imsure I have a spare I/O board if you need it. We already know what shipping will be.

Let me know
Ron

[oldbloke]

Ron,

Thank you for the offer.
I have yet to fully dismantle the T30.
Although it is working fine at the moment with a tailored strip of plastic holding down the SODIMM socket, I'm going to attempt reflowing the memory sockets when I have the systemboard out, and I'll take a look at the I/O board when I do that. Do you know if it is a common problem with the I/O board, or am I just unlucky?
Like I said before - I like tinkering

Martin

[jronald]

I have run into it once, and I think RBS has seen it once, so common...dont know. Happens, yes.

Ron

[cadillacmike68]

Ron,
No you didn't lose me with that, I guess I didn't phrase the post too well - my bad!
The eth cable IS "plugged in" and the cable is good - however the T30 insists it is "unplugged"
No problem really, I'm using a wireless card in a slot for 'net access.

I fear a dismantle and inspection of the mobo socket around the eth port is on the cards
Martin

Is what the other end of the cable plugged in to active?

I had a recent experience in a hotel with a bad room. T30 was saying unplugged (no lights on the computer's port either!) with 3 cables. I went to their business office, plugged the printers ethernet cable into My T30 and got the lights and the unplugged message went away. I changed rooms and it was fine.

[cadillacmike68]

Looks like half of my 2GB has disappeared from my T30 (it's there but not recognized). I'll have to shut if off and check the modules, etc. I have two spares, but i fear that this warhorse (literally) T30 has now been afflicted with the mem slot failure, and i'm way far away from home for way too long.

Good thing I got that T61 from TuuS with the Penryn T8300 and 4GB!

It's ok for now. I reseated the modules, and it reports 2GB again. It's been well over a year since i had this one apart. I also put some paper to keep pressure on the cream colored slots against the cover. I think I'll speed up my slow transition to the T61 though.

[fleming164]

@fleming164:
Usually it's the 3-4 pins on either side of the slot, rarely ones in the middle, like yours.

Yeah, turned out to be debris on those pins, it was the ones at the side of the DIMM slot.

I successfully re-flowed the pins and it worked wonderfully, until I decided to put a 2.4Ghz P4-M in. I must have nudged the pins when I was dismantling the laptop and the slot isn't working again, I tried to re-flow again but without success.

The laptop is with Grandparents now until mid next year so I will probably have another go at it then, but for now it's working fine with 1GB in the good slot.

[oldbloke]

Ron,
<snip>
I'm going to attempt reflowing the memory sockets when I have the systemboard out, and I'll take a look at the I/O board when I do that. Do you know if it is a common problem with the I/O board, or am I just unlucky?
Like I said before - I like tinkering

Martin

Well, I have had a try at reflowing the sodimm slots to no avail but at least I haven't made it worse. Still working OK with the shim.
As regards the I/O board, I did not see a physical issue when I had the T30 apart. Other ports on the board are fine ( USBs, and COM ) just the Ethernet port still shows as "unplugged"
Martin

[jronald]

Its not really needed once you have the wireless up and running, I have at least 2 X31's with no ethernet on board. Never figured out why.

Ron

[fleming164]

Finally had another go at re-flowing the slot but I think I've killed it

After my first attempt I stuck a module in and fired her up but got error beeps again so I put pressure on the slot and booted to nothing, no beeps, no post. [censored].

I then tried taking all the RAM out but I still can't get past post. Wish I'd have just stuck with my 1GB now.

Any ideas anyone?

[brooklynboy]

My twelve-year-old T30 is still going strong, except for a sometimes-noisy fan. The memory-slot problem was resolved for free by IBM, out of warranty, in 2005. It recurred about a year ago, but a stack of cardboard shims pressing against the socket has kept things under control since.

[danikayser84]

I had the memory slot problem on one of my T23s (I believe the rear slot), but my T30 has never had the problem in either slot (thankfully; although it might have been repaired in the past as it has the indented RAM door and doesn't have the blue shock bumper inside the hard drive caddy)