Thinkpads Forum

Hello everyone,

I'm new to the forum and it has been many years since I used ThinkPad T23, T30, T43, T61, X61s, X201, X220, W520.

I bought a ThinkPad W520 used with memory 8GB (2x4GB) Intel Core i7-2960XM.

I bought 4 DDR3-10600 Samsung 8GB memory modules to increase memory to 32GB.

When I place a 8GB module in the lower slot located under the keyboard ThinkPad does not boot, the power button flashes and the screen remains black.

If I place a 4GB module in the lower slot located under the keyboard the ThinkPad boots up normally and the total memory of 28GB.

Why 8GB module is not recognized in the lower slot under the keyboard while a 4GB module is working properly?

Thank you in advance for your help and sorry for my bad english.

GB Perrin

Do both slots under the keyboard fail to work with a 8gb module, or just one? Also, does only one of the 8gb modules fail to work in the slots under the keyboard, or all? The W520 shouldn't have a problem with 4x8gb ram sticks.

Also, I found this and looks like it might be related to your problem: https://forums.lenovo.com/t5/W-Series-T ... d-p/851029

Thank you for the help.

No, it is only the lower slot that does not recognize the 8GB module, the top slot recognizes 8GB modules.

I tested with 4 8GB modules, none are recognized in the lower slot.

If you google adding ram to W510, (which has the same configuration as W520) I believe you will see that the bottom memory slot under the keyboard is slot 1 and the top one is slot 0. When adding memory, you have to follow a certain pattern of adding RAM. See if it boots with one 8GB module in slot 0 (top slot). Also, you want to be sure the 8GB modules are the same (brand, model, speed etc.) in pairs, slots 0 and 1, and slots 2 and 3. But check the docs online on this, as I am going by memory. Also, the W520 is a little finicky as to brands. Google is your friend on all of this.

I tried to boot with 8GB module in slot 0, the ThinkPad boot without problems.
By cons in the lower slot under the keyboard (slot 2) the ThinkPad boot with 4GB module (28GB total memory) but not with a module 8GB (32GB total memory).

Why would you buy Samsung RAM in the first place?

I have 2x 8GB in my W520, I put it in the slots the stock 2x4 GB used to be. On the Lenovo forums, 4x of that (Crucial) is reported to work fine. I would just return the Samsung stuff asap and, get Crucial and be done with it.

I chose Samsung modules because the Thinkpad had 2 Samsung 4GB modules when I bought it.
I also tested with 2 modules Kingston 8GB and I have the same problem with the slot 2, the Thinkpad will not boot with 8GB Kingston Module boot but without worry with Samsung 4GB module.

What type of Crucial memory (4x8GB) that works well on the W520?
In Switzerland Crucial memory is not very easy to find.

gbperrin wrote:What type of Crucial memory (4x8GB) that works well on the W520?
In Switzerland Crucial memory is not very easy to find.

If you go to the Crucial website, it will identify for you what you need. Maybe you can order directly from the website. I have had problems with other types, and also when I mixed brands. Right now I have 2 Crucial and 2 Corsair.

I forgot to mention one thing: my ThinkPad BIOS is protected by a supervisor password. I do not know if it will affect my memory module problem.

gbperrin wrote:What type of Crucial memory (4x8GB) that works well on the W520?
In Switzerland Crucial memory is not very easy to find.

http://www.crucial.com/usa/en/thinkpad-w520/CT2392271

will do

Shipping inside europe shouldn't be a problem. Can always ask a forum member here to ship it for you if all else fails.