Thinkpads Forum

As we all know if you are using Vista if you want the OS to recognize and use 4GB of RAM you must have the correct OS (64-bit) and the correct chipset (currently Santa Rosa).

I am hearing some rumors that Lenovo has a problem with the T61 Vista 64-bit recognizing the entire 4GB. Maybe this rumor just came about because Lenovo was offering 64-bit for a short period when the T61 first came out and now the option is gone.

I'd like to clean install with 64-bit Vista when I get mine. Does anyone out there have firsthand experience to dispel this rumor???

never heard of that rumor at all. As far as i know Lenovo doesn't limit it. The problems are with 32bit Vista and 4GB and Lenovo limiting it to 3GB, the system without the limit could prolly go to 3.25GB or even a lil more but Lenovo cuts it off directly at 3GB.

The tabook does list X61 and R61 with Vista Business 64. And the footnote for the 4 GB memory reads ...

"Maximum memory capacity may require the replacement of standard component with largest supported component available. On ThinkPad systems with an Intel 945GM, 945PM, GM965, or PM965 chipset, even though it is possible to physically install 4GB of memory, the actual amount of memory addressable by an operating system will be limited to 3GB. This limitation does not exist with the Intel GM965 and PM965 with the 64-bit operating systems Windows XP Professional 64-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit Editions."

Rumours where? Proof?

tomh009 wrote:The tabook does list X61 and R61 with Vista Business 64. And the footnote for the 4 GB memory reads ...

"Maximum memory capacity may require the replacement of standard component with largest supported component available. On ThinkPad systems with an Intel 945GM, 945PM, GM965, or PM965 chipset, even though it is possible to physically install 4GB of memory, the actual amount of memory addressable by an operating system will be limited to 3GB. This limitation does not exist with the Intel GM965 and PM965 with the 64-bit operating systems Windows XP Professional 64-bit and Windows Vista 64-bit Editions."

Well, that proves Lenovos intentions, but it doesn't dispel the rumor that there is a problem. I think the only way to do that would be from a user that could provide a screenshot that shows they have a T61 w/Vista-64 bit w/4GB of functional RAM

ryengineer wrote:Rumours where? Proof?

Well... they are rumors. I don't know how much proof you need to call something a rumor. Rumors usually go by word of mouth. Anyway, here is what caught my eye to the rumor from notebookreview.com forum:

http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthr ... 587&page=3:
"There are rumours about some driver problems with the T61p (15.4-inch widescreen models) or/and overheating problems caused by the grafix chip. There are also rumors that IBM/Lenovo _STILL_ have the 3GB RAM problem on the T61p and Vista x64, thou they use the 965 chipset! IBM/Lenovo used to put the blame on the chipset on the T60, T60p etc AND the 32-bit version of Vista, but now, they have actually planned to ship some T60p models with Vista x64 preinstalled. Now you can understand their dilemma; Intel 965 AND Vista x64 = support for 4GB RAM... but it only shows 3GB."

I think the guy is getting T60 and T61 and T61p all mixed up. Like I said, it's probably all just a rumor, but it would be nice to hear from someone that has a T61 w64-bit and 4GB RAM.

stallen wrote:I think the guy is getting T60 and T61 and T61p all mixed up. Like I said, it's probably all just a rumor, but it would be nice to hear from someone that has a T61 w64-bit and 4GB RAM.

The guy also says "We ordered a few T61p laptops, but they seem to be delayed more and more!" Given that the T61p has not yet been announced, that really doesn't add to his credibility.

The R61 and X61 use exactly the same chipset as well.

tomh009 wrote:

stallen wrote:I think the guy is getting T60 and T61 and T61p all mixed up. Like I said, it's probably all just a rumor, but it would be nice to hear from someone that has a T61 w64-bit and 4GB RAM.

The guy also says "We ordered a few T61p laptops, but they seem to be delayed more and more!" Given that the T61p has not yet been announced, that really doesn't add to his credibility.

The R61 and X61 use exactly the same chipset as well.

I agree. I'm not giving him much credibility, but he does come from Sweden where apparently it is available: http://www.butik.it/html/showproduct.as ... XSW&flik=3

Since this could be a deal breaker for me, it would be nice if someone with 4GB and 64-bit on the T61 could chime in.

well i've only heard of people with the right hardware using the wrong software complaining. This is the first i've heard anywhere about this issue.

I'm running Fedora 7 x86_64 on my T61 with 4GB ram, and I have 3.8GB available to userspace programs. This is with the integrated 965GM X3100 intel graphics, which uses 224MB (or so) shared memory. All together I'm using the whole 4GB.

The rumour is now officially proven as false as the X61 does see 4 GB with Vista 64-bit as well. See this thread for details:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44764

That is awesome! I suppose the guts of the x61 are the same as the T61, right? How about the BIOS? Is it the same download? I'm gonna check.....

They use a different BIOS. Since you need support from the BIOS (as well as a 64-bit OS and santa rosa) there could be a problem with the T61 BIOS. I have no doubt now that the T61 is capable, but perhaps a BIOS update will be needed if there is any truth to the rumor.

I'm not trying to keep this going... but since they use a different BIOS I think the problem could still exists until we hear from a T61 owner. Trust me I want the rumor to be put to an end. This information is enough to get me back on board for the T61P though!

tomh009 wrote:The rumour is now officially proven as false as the X61 does see 4 GB with Vista 64-bit as well. See this thread for details:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44764

Do we have a screenshot from someone running a T61 with 4GB addressed and recognized in Vista x64 or XP x64? It's easy to assume the problem is the same between the X61 and T61, but Lenovo's vague warning language doesn't make things very clear.

Butso far it sounds like what people are experiencing is: Any 32-bit OS will only see 3GB max. Any 64-bit OS allows you to see/use the full 4GB?

Kenn wrote:

tomh009 wrote:The rumour is now officially proven as false as the X61 does see 4 GB with Vista 64-bit as well. See this thread for details:
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=44764

Do we have a screenshot from someone running a T61 with 4GB addressed and recognized in Vista x64 or XP x64?

Seems to me that it doesn't have to be Vista or XP 64 bit. It could also be proven by any number of 64 bit Linux Distros. I think this particular rumour is short-lived .

It would only take one screenshot from a T61 Vista 64-bit 4GB owner to bury the rumor (or hell I'll take word of mouth since screenshots can be PSed). Geeze, I can't believe their isn't one out there that can provide that.

Harryc wrote: Seems to me that it doesn't have to be Vista or XP 64 bit. It could also be proven by any number of 64 bit Linux Distros. I think this particular rumour is short-lived .

Sure, but it would be nice to see a Vista 64-bit and T61 to make sure they are playing nice with each other.

Harryc wrote:Seems to me that it doesn't have to be Vista or XP 64 bit. It could also be proven by any number of 64 bit Linux Distros. I think this particular rumour is short-lived .

I think we have some screencaps or testimonials of at least 2 linux distros in this thread already. The only reason I take this "rumor" seriously is because Lenovo's own site is very vague about exactly what they're talking about. If they just said "while running a 32-bit OS, the max you can see is 3GB," I don't think this thread would even exist.

Finally dispelled...

http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1020/824 ... 2be8_b.jpg

I am running Vista 64-bit and T61 reports 4,022GB of memory. When it came from the factory with Vista 32, it only reported in the neighborhood of 3GB with the exact same memory installed.

Vista 64 has not been too much of a pain as far as drivers, etc. Almost every 32 driver also exists in 64bit form as well as of mid-2007, at least in my experience so far.

-Josh

I am running Vista 64-bit and T61 reports 4,022GB of memory.

You have way more than 4GB free RAM, congratulations! Perhaps it is 4022MB =~ 3.9GB ?

KnottyMonkey wrote:I am running Vista 64-bit and T61 reports 4,022GB of memory.

Hey Knotty --

It would be helpful to us...and perhaps others...if you could post more info about your experience with Vista 64-bit. I'm particularly interested in performance aspects...what apps are you running and how does Vista 64-bit w/4GB compare with 32-bit with 3GB? Any further comments about drivers issues?

Maybe a new thread would be the right place for this.

Thanks in advance for anything you can offer.

-- Summa