Thinkpads Forum

After reading several posts about RAM in the forum, I decided to order the new T61 on May 14 with 4GB of RAM. The computer came today. I haven't had much time to play with it but it bothers me that it shows only 3GB in Windows. I checked the BIOS, it showed 4GB.

Could anybody help me figure out what's going on? How do I get the full 4GB?

Thank you very much for your input.

T61 14.1" WS, Core 2 Duo T7500, X3100 GMA 965, 4GB, AGBN, Intel Turbo Memory 1GB, Vista Business x32

Guess you didn't read anything you found or didn't understand anything. You need a 64bit OS to utilize all 4GBs. There's tons of other threads in here about this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44749

that seems to be the big one.

SHoTTa35 wrote:

T61 14.1" WS, Core 2 Duo T7500, X3100 GMA 965, 4GB, AGBN, Intel Turbo Memory 1GB, Vista Business x32

Guess you didn't read anything you found or didn't understand anything. You need a 64bit OS to utilize all 4GBs. There's tons of other threads in here about this:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44749

that seems to be the big one.

Thanks for pointing it out. The thread you mentioned was created on June 20. That's very unfortunate. My order was on May 14. Had I waited longer, I would have been saved.

I find it strange that Lenovo didn't have the 64-bit Vista option and let you to order 4gb with 32-bit. Is it possible to get a recovery disk of 64-bit version from them now?

bambootree wrote:Is it possible to get a recovery disk of 64-bit version from them now?

Ofcourse not. Last time I checked, Lenovo did not have an option to configure 64-bit Windows Vista for customers so I am pretty sure they still don't.

As far as Recovery CD is concerned, they can only provide you a CD for the OS that came with your system.

So Lenovo won't accommodate your request even if you get it somehow from them (I am pretty sure you won't, they don't have one yet) technically it would be illegal to use it on your system if it came with 32-bit Vista...

If you like to make use of that 4GB, buy a retail copy of Vista 64-bit or use Linux (free!).

I might be mistaken but I thought at least some version(s) (probably just Vista Ultimate) came with the right to upgrade to 64 bit version of Vista at no additional charge. At least I thought I read that recently on some other thread in here.

pae77 wrote:I might be mistaken but I thought at least some version(s) (probably just Vista Ultimate) came with the right to upgrade to 64 bit version of Vista at no additional charge. At least I thought I read that recently on some other thread in here.

Also, Microsoft will sell you an upgrade from Vista Business 32 to Vista Business 64 or to Vista Ultimate 32 which includes the 64 bit option.

I think a future BIOS update will let your Vista Business 32 see 3.25 GB of RAM. Then, in six months or a year, when the VISTA 64 driver situation improves, upgrade to Vista Business 64.

pae77 wrote:I might be mistaken but I thought at least some version(s) (probably just Vista Ultimate) came with the right to upgrade to 64 bit version of Vista at no additional charge. At least I thought I read that recently on some other thread in here.

I am not sure from where you're sourcing this information. It could perhaps be done on retail versions but not on oem licenses.

ryengineer wrote:

pae77 wrote:I might be mistaken but I thought at least some version(s) (probably just Vista Ultimate) came with the right to upgrade to 64 bit version of Vista at no additional charge. At least I thought I read that recently on some other thread in here.

I am not sure from where you're sourcing this information. It could perhaps be done on retail versions but not on oem licenses.

Correct. Retail/MSDN/Volume versions come with both x32 and x64 versions (at least Business and Enterprise). OEM is whatever you get, usually not both.

I called Lenovo about the problem, the rep told me there was a fix that might or might not work to solve the problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929580/en-us

It's a bit over me. Have anybody here tried this before?

bambootree wrote:I called Lenovo about the problem, the rep told me there was a fix that might or might not work to solve the problem.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929580/en-us

It's a bit over me. Have anybody here tried this before?

Only 32bit CPUs have PAE
PAE has been taken out from CPUs after 'Core Duo'

pae77 wrote:I might be mistaken but I thought at least some version(s) (probably just Vista Ultimate) came with the right to upgrade to 64 bit version of Vista at no additional charge. At least I thought I read that recently on some other thread in here.

I remember reading this as well, but I can't remember where for the life of me. And I remember asking if it was valid, but I don't remember getting any responses. If you're really up to it, give Microsoft a call and explain the situation... I was supposed to get Vista Business 64, but got Home Premium instead, but considering the immense hassle I've had getting it, I didn't want to correct it.

I'm sure Lenovo might be able to help in that regard as well.

Order a Vista 64 bit CD from Microsoft for a small fee. Use your current CD key with it. It should work, even with OEM.

cxls wrote:Order a Vista 64 bit CD from Microsoft for a small fee. Use your current CD key with it. It should work, even with OEM.

I tried that with my Vista Business 32-bit OEM license, MS won't take the key. Only a retail key is accepted, so with preloaded OS you are out of luck.

If you want to upgrade your 32-bit OS to 64-bit it can be done for about $5. Purchase the 64-bit "anytime upgrade" dvd from CompUSA:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... m_ite=feed

Then use these two guides to assist with a clean installation:
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=120228
http://jstigall.googlepages.com/t61clean.html

(between those to guides you'll get the job done.)

BTW, when ordering from CompUSA use the coupon code shipitfree for free shipping. Also, consider picking up a bluetooth mouse for $10 (after rebates) I did! http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... book_Mouse

stallen wrote:If you want to upgrade your 32-bit OS to 64-bit it can be done for about $5. Purchase the 64-bit "anytime upgrade" dvd from CompUSA:
http://www.compusa.com/products/product ... m_ite=feed

I will be interested to know if this works on 32-bit oem version too?

ryengineer wrote: As far as Recovery CD is concerned, they can only provide you a CD for the OS that came with your system.

Not completely accurate. They can and they will send you other recovery media. The sent me a set of recovery DVDs for Vista Business, after the free upgrade, even though I bought my T60 wit XP Pro. I don't know if this is a fluke or not, but I read at least two other posts in this forum that said the same thing.
Just my two cents.

rmendoza wrote: Not completely accurate. They can and they will send you other recovery media. The sent me a set of recovery DVDs for Vista Business, after the free upgrade, even though I bought my T60 wit XP Pro. I don't know if this is a fluke or not, but I read at least two other posts in this forum that said the same thing.
Just my two cents.

Well, they sent you the recovery disks since your system was eligible for Vista upgrade otherwise it would be a matter of piracy and law breaking matter from lenovo's end.

One machine cannot have two oem licenses unless it's some kind of exception. AFAIK, Vista upgrade dvd was meant to de-activate XP key.