Thinkpads Forum

Hi,

I have an old T410, originally with 4GB, and 128GB spinning HDD, Windows 7 32 bits Professional. The BIOS setting for SATA was set to COMPATIBLE mode.

I upgraded the RAM to 6GB - removed the back module 2GB, and replaced it with 4GB module. Found it nearly impossible to remove the Keyboard in order to upgrade the RAM module to a total of 8GB. But 6GB is enough to install Windows 7 64 bits.
Replaced the HDD with a 256GB Transcend SSD (formatted as NTFS).
I also changed the SATA mode to AHCI.

I put in the Windows 7 64 bits Ultimate DVD into the DVD drive and boot up. It came up with the following .... "Loading Windows" ... followed by "Starting Windows" ....... then nothing after that.

Changing the SATA mode back to COMPATIBLE does not change the behavior. It still hangs after "Starting Windows".
Has anybody encountered this problem before?

Thank you,
TingSern

Have you tested the windows dvd in other computers?

You could have several possible culprits...not in any particular order:

a) RAM. Download and burn a CD of memtest 86 and boot from it, testing one slot at the time with both "old" and "new" RAM.

b) Test the install media in another computer.

c) Install your old hard drive and verify whether the machine works with no issues. When I hear "Transcend", I shiver. And I'll guarantee you that I'm far from being the only one on this forum who feels that way.

Good luck and keep us posted.

Put the old hard drive back in and see if that works. If it still stalls, put the old 2Gb memory stick back and see if it works then.

Hi,

Problem solved. T410 has the iCore 5 processor - and cannot use high density RAM modules. I tried to reuse my W540 (iCore 7) RAM modules (2 x 4GB) in my T410 - but, those RAM modules are high density. I have to use low density RAM modules on T410.

About Transcend SSD - yes - I totally agree with you. It is HORRIBLE. This is my 3rd one (within one year) - and I am using it as "spare" now. I use Intel SSDs for my W540 - so far so good. Samsung SSDs for my other laptops - NO MORE Transcend !!!!

TS