Take a look at our
ThinkPads.com HOME PAGE
For those who might want to contribute to the blog, start here: Editors Alley Topic
Then contact Bill with a Private Message

Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

E.g. 3000, IdeaPad, S- and U-Series, B-Series and so on...
Post Reply
Message
Author
thuur
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Mestreech, NL

Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#1 Post by thuur » Thu Nov 04, 2010 1:40 pm

Hi guys,

Haven't been posting in a while, changed jobs, started my own business and just a few minor complaints about my Thinkpads and 3000 N100

But now I'm wondering if I should stick with this 3000 or not. My Thinkpads have never failed me (apart from a bad HDD), but this machine is driving me nuts. I've had it from new and this has happened so far:
- top plastic around keyboard shows cracks just above the PC-card slot
- paint coming off around the edges of the fingerpad
- fingerprint reader only works within 10 seconds after Windows logon use (this is probably a software issue, never got it to work)
- annoying fan is always on and not controllable by the software mentioned here
- 3 keys spontaneoulsy broke off, unfixable
- spacebar works poorly, so do other keys now and then. After cleaning it works fine for 1 hour to a few days
- HDD was bad after just a few months
- had to sent back several memory sticks (Kingston)
- never got Bluetooth to work (not a big deal, but still)
- very poor battery life, capacity was down to just 15 minutes of flash-less surfing after 6 months of normal use

Just for the record: the laptop spent about 98% of it's life in the same place! I used to be a software programmer and I'm not afraid of changing a front drive axle of my Volvo.

Besides from the "normal" issues with this thing (unreadable screen outside, sound from speakers really hurts my ears) I now stumbled upon a more permanent problem. The notebook won't take memory installed in the highest bank (=not closest to main board). I've had to sent back 3 memory sticks to Kingston (which were replaced under warranty) and decided to upgrade from 1,5G to 2G (since this is the max for this machine if I'm correct). Today I woke it from sleep and I noticed performance was poor (once again :roll: ). Checked the RAM: 1G... Tried all possible combinations (1 and 2 sticks in 2 banks). The second bank is not taking any memory. When I install just one stick in the top bank it won't boot at all, just a black screen with brief HDD and fan activity.

Conclusion: second bank broke :(

Can't find anything on the web, or this forum. I guess it must be a main board issue?

Is it worth to find a new main board and install it (can do it myself)?
Is it worth a shot to try Crucial memory?

Or shall I just destroy it wth a big hammer and get the frustration out of my system? :evil:


Any advice welcome!!


R,
:(
I wish there was a serious successor to the TP570..

ZaZ
Moderator
Moderator
Posts: 4698
Joined: Fri May 13, 2005 1:33 pm
Location: Minnesota

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#2 Post by ZaZ » Thu Nov 04, 2010 11:28 pm

Here's a vote for selling it for parts and getting a T500 or R500 on ebay or the outlet.
ThinkPad L14 - 2.1GHz Ryzen 4650U | 16GB | 256GB | 14" FHD | Win11P
ProBook 470 G5 - 1.6GHz Core i5 | 16GB | 2.2TB | 17" FHD | Mint

thuur
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Mestreech, NL

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#3 Post by thuur » Sun Nov 07, 2010 7:42 am

Thanks!

I guess the community agrees since the lack of other replies.

What is a reasonable prince for this machine sold in spares? I just bought a 3000 C200 (dead main board) for spare parts... :oops:

Feel free to make me an offer via PM.


R,
;)
I wish there was a serious successor to the TP570..

Harryc
Moderator Emeritus
Moderator Emeritus
Posts: 13228
Joined: Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:23 am
Location: Upstate New York

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#4 Post by Harryc » Sun Nov 07, 2010 8:00 am

thuur wrote:Thanks!

I guess the community agrees since the lack of other replies.
I think the lack of replies is due to lack of experience with the 3000 series machines. Heck I've never even seen one in person.

thuur
Posts: 46
Joined: Mon Apr 21, 2008 4:26 pm
Location: Mestreech, NL

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#5 Post by thuur » Sun Nov 07, 2010 10:29 am

Harryc wrote:I think the lack of replies is due to lack of experience with the 3000 series machines. Heck I've never even seen one in person.
Better keep away if you're a happy Thinkpad user ;)


Just spotted the Thinkpad Edge 15, besided from the cheap finish I can't find a reason not to buy it... :idea:


R,
8)
I wish there was a serious successor to the TP570..

ParatoOptimal
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 457
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 1:33 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#6 Post by ParatoOptimal » Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:07 am

Is the maximum RAM 3GB or 4GB?

Thanks
770E (relic not in use
3000 N100 T2080 1.73GHz
R61 773-1GU
T41 2373 7FU Pentium-M 1.6GHz Banias
X31 2672 XXM Pentium-M 1.3GHz
X60s 1702-68U L2400 1.66GHz Core Duo
Compaq Portable (suitcase size, gone)
Mac Portable (first laptop in world, Stored
Mac Laptop (Stored
Toshiba Tecra (Stored

dr_st
Admin
Admin
Posts: 9692
Joined: Sat Oct 29, 2005 6:20 am
Location: Israel

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#7 Post by dr_st » Mon Nov 08, 2010 5:32 am

I've heard of so many issues with 3000 N100 machines, that I have no choice but to conclude that this was a particularly bad generation. It was essentially Lenovo's first entry in the 3000 series (at least in the worldwide market), and I guess they lacked the experience to do it right.

Already the next installment (3000 N200), while externally almost identical to the N100, has had far less reported issues. The later machines in the series seem quite alright as a low-end budget laptop, quite on par with some low-end Compaqs, Acers, Dell Inspirons.

However, the N100 is just not worth it it seems - I say dump it.
Thinkpad 25 (20K7), T490 (20N3), Yoga 14 (20FY), T430s (IPS FHD + Classic Keyboard), X220 4291-4BG
X61 7673-V2V, T60 2007-QPG, T42 2373-F7G, X32 (IPS Screen), A31p w/ Ultrabay Numpad

ParatoOptimal
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 457
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 1:33 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#8 Post by ParatoOptimal » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:18 am

It sounds like you've had a bad time with it. Missing paint and cracks (non-structural) are minor cosmetics to put up with. It's amazing how many serious problems you've had. Perhaps you got a lemon. I don't see an unused memory bank would go bad without a power issue or physical drop with breakage.

I can only guess that the motherboard is bad or power control across the motherboard or other shorts have caused damage. I remember someone had a ThinkPad that was jam packed with "kitties" or "dust bunnies" that wreaked havoc with performance and all sorts of heat and electrical issues. Once they were removed, it worked fine.

You've had this open. So I'm guessing no dust bunnies, shorts, burns or bloated capacitors were present. It sounds like it's time to retire it. You could seek a motherboard, power or fan replacements on ebay if it's cheap and easy to do. I suppose there's no guarantee which replacement will work if any.

If the cost of parts is more than $100, I'd say retire it. Maybe it'll run well enough on Linux with one bank of memory holding 1GB or 2GB if it takes it to give to your kids. I say $100 because you could get a used dual core laptop for around $250. Rebuilding your 3000 could be a learning experience or a PINTA or a waste of time and money.

I got a 3000 N100 at auction that has worked flawlessly. I'm running Ubuntu on it with 1GB RAM.

Good luck!
770E (relic not in use
3000 N100 T2080 1.73GHz
R61 773-1GU
T41 2373 7FU Pentium-M 1.6GHz Banias
X31 2672 XXM Pentium-M 1.3GHz
X60s 1702-68U L2400 1.66GHz Core Duo
Compaq Portable (suitcase size, gone)
Mac Portable (first laptop in world, Stored
Mac Laptop (Stored
Toshiba Tecra (Stored

ParatoOptimal
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 457
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 1:33 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#9 Post by ParatoOptimal » Mon Nov 08, 2010 6:38 am

Motherboard prices on Ebay (U.S.) seem to be $101 to $150 plus shipping.
Shipping could kill the deal. Some have only a 7 day return period. You'd be rushing to complete a fix you're new at.
You also need a new keyboard.

If the need for a dual core doesn't necessitate keeping the 3000, you could go with a nice, used Pentium M ThinkPad.

My vote is for taking it apart and giving it a good cleaning.
Don't put any money in it unless you notice an obvious and cheaply fixable problem to solve all it's problems.
770E (relic not in use
3000 N100 T2080 1.73GHz
R61 773-1GU
T41 2373 7FU Pentium-M 1.6GHz Banias
X31 2672 XXM Pentium-M 1.3GHz
X60s 1702-68U L2400 1.66GHz Core Duo
Compaq Portable (suitcase size, gone)
Mac Portable (first laptop in world, Stored
Mac Laptop (Stored
Toshiba Tecra (Stored

CeeDee
Sophomore Member
Posts: 210
Joined: Fri Sep 01, 2006 10:31 am
Location: Owen Sound, CANADA

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#10 Post by CeeDee » Wed Nov 10, 2010 10:22 pm

I wonder if (as "Parato Optimal" suggests) you have a lemon. My daughter has had hers for 15 months and it has not had a single problem except for her complaint that it runs slowly, I would guess that would be fixed by geting rid of Vista and putting Win 7 on it. The one thing I noticed was how quietly it ran and how infrequently the fan came on. Quite the reverse to yours. I believe you can put 2 2gig sticks in but not sure if it has the same problems of recognizing more than 3gig. as the T60.
Regards
Colin D.
T-60p Core 2 Duo T7200 4gig ram. ips uxga 160g Intel SSD. 320g-7200 Hitachi hd. Or DVDRW DL in Ultrabay
past: 600x T-23 T-30 S-30 T-41 X-32 T-60
____________________________
"Wherever you go, there you are!"

Tõnis
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 303
Joined: Mon Aug 11, 2008 2:43 pm
Location: Central Falls, RI

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#11 Post by Tõnis » Tue Feb 15, 2011 12:38 am

Sorry to read about these problems you're having. I'm not sure how to advise, but I will say that I have a 3000N100 that had a pub pint of water dumped on it ab 3 years ago, and it still works great. It's in every day use.
R61, Core 2 Duo T8300 at 2.40GHz, 15.4" WXGA, XP Pro

Annobanno
Posts: 25
Joined: Wed May 26, 2010 12:10 pm
Location: Allerød, Denmark

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#12 Post by Annobanno » Sat Feb 26, 2011 7:46 am

To stick to topic thuur, I agree with FredGarvin - dump it, it's not worth the trouble
Lenovo Thinkpad W510 6457-WEB

Microsoft Windows 7 Ultimate Edition 64-bit
Intel Core i7 Q810 1.73 GHz 8 MB Cache
8.00 GB DDR3 RAM
256 GB Kingston Solid State Drive
1 GB DDR3 NVIDIA Quadro FX 880M
15.6 inch 1980X1080 FHD Anti-Glare Display with LED Backlight
Biometric fingerprint reader
1600 X 1200 Built-in Webcamera

ParatoOptimal
Junior Member
Junior Member
Posts: 457
Joined: Fri May 07, 2010 1:33 am
Location: Boston, MA

Re: Dump it or keep it? Now a memory problem..

#13 Post by ParatoOptimal » Sat Feb 26, 2011 4:18 pm

By "DUMP", don't simply dump it in the trash. Parts of it maybe salvageable.
There's a marketplace forum here. People maybe interested in purchasing parts you wouldn't think have any value ...
LCD, hinges, keyboard, top/bottom case, RAM cover, HDD cover, battery, optical drive. If you're not comfortable dismantling it, having a carcass lying around and many trips to the post office, sell the whole thing as-is for parts.
Did you say it is a 3000 n100? I maybe interested in a couple of pieces. I always circulate parts/equipment around. Someone can always use it more than the land fill can use it. I stretch every last drop of usability out of old tech. Someone who can't afford to buy tech will always appreciate it.
770E (relic not in use
3000 N100 T2080 1.73GHz
R61 773-1GU
T41 2373 7FU Pentium-M 1.6GHz Banias
X31 2672 XXM Pentium-M 1.3GHz
X60s 1702-68U L2400 1.66GHz Core Duo
Compaq Portable (suitcase size, gone)
Mac Portable (first laptop in world, Stored
Mac Laptop (Stored
Toshiba Tecra (Stored

Post Reply
  • Similar Topics
    Replies
    Views
    Last post

Return to “Non-ThinkPad Lenovo Laptops”

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 32 guests