Thinkpads Forum

Default x200s turbo memory installation woes
The x200s I purchased did not come with turbo memory (74663HU), so I purchased a 2GB card to install myself, which arrived yesterday. I installed it but cannot see the device in Vista (32-bit) no matter what I do. I've installed the turbo memory drivers from both Lenovo and Intel. In neither case did the driver installers even install the turbo memory console. The short of it is, the card is simply not being detected. I followed the instructions on Intel's site to verify existence via device manager and do not see it there either.

Is it possible that I installed the card into the wrong slot? The x200s has 2 mini PCI slots, one of which was occupied by the Intel 5100 wireless card. The wireless card is installed in the slot closest to the flash drive, where the turbo memory is currently installed in the slot right above it on a horizontal plane (I wish I took pictures). I didn't move the wireless card, just installed the turbo memory into the free slot.

I know for sure it's seated properly, as I removed and reinstalled it 2-3 different times to verify and screwed it into place. So I am at a loss and figured I would post here for advice (preferably not spawning the continuing debate about the value of the technology itself).

Thanks all.

I have no previous experience installing a turbo memory module but I'd check the BIOS settings for now.

hsjC wrote:I have no previous experience installing a turbo memory module but I'd check the BIOS settings for now.

I went through every possible option in the BIOS and didn't see anything that could be related.

is your turbo memory card an original lenovo part with FRU number 42T0991 printed on the label?   if not then you bought an incompatible card.

erik wrote:is your turbo memory card an original lenovo part with FRU number 42T0991 printed on the label?   if not then you bought an incompatible card.

Hmm, I bought this one:

http://www.amazon.com/Intel-Turbo-Memor ... B001F4R2BU

I didn't realize it mattered. Are you sure about this?

if the card you bought doesn't have the FRU number above then it won't work in your system.   i'm 110% sure of that.

Really?

I remember back in the days of T61 my friend bought a module off Amazon.com for his T61 and it's working fine.

There was no significant performance gain but at least it's recognized and all that.

is the card you bought a full-height or half-height card?   the X200/s will only accept a half-height turbomemory card installed in the half-height mPCI-e slot.   afaik, the original lenovo card i mentioned above is the only half-height card on the market.

I suspect the one I purchased is full height, considering it's the same length as the 5100 wifi card it was sitting next to.

that makes sense.   your system isn't registering the card because that slot isn't set up in the BIOS to accept turbo memory.   you need a completely different card.

42T0991 is about $90 on average everywhere i've seen, including buying it direct from IBM parts.

sorry, i wish i had better news for you.

Ah, well thanks for the info. This became more expensive than it's worth to me, so I'll end this experiment and send the card back.