Thinkpads Forum

Bought a 600E a few days ago and I got delivered today. Haven't had much time to work on it, but I did clean off the gunk (was really "icky") and threw in some ram. Both are unmarked spares so I don't know the manufacturer, size or anything. This is what the 600E says about them:



I have two (hopefully) compatible 256mb modules on the way since 600X ram doesn't want to play ball in with the darn thing. ("Ultra-compatible replacement ram module" my backside.). I'd rather not have it pull the same crap when they arrive. Though I can get by on 160mb ram, I really, really don't want to.

Also, I tried finding some info on the machine itself but i haven't found anything. Lenovo doesn't find it, though its no surprising considering its age. The model number is 2645-AUO or 2645-AU0. The font of the last letter/number is a bit different than the rest, so i dunno what's up with the model number. But it doesn't seem to exist. Someone put some sort of clear vinyl type cover on the underside that was later removed an all sorts of icky stuff got stuck. That also caused me to "clean" off the model number.

This is what "BIOS" says. Don't think its any use, but in case it helps....

Second screenshot is definitely helpful: Type is 2645-4A0
Looking it up on tabook



I think your's is same to the -4AU

Referring to your first photo: "294912KB installed and 163264KB usable" probably means that you have installed two 128MB modules that are "high density". I hope you ordered the proper "low density" modules for this 600E. If those "new" 256MB modules only have a total of eight memory chips on each board, then those are high density and they won't work (properly) either. A low density 256MB PC100 or PC133 module will have 16 memory chips (8 per side).

Don't know about the -4A0 vs. -4AU though. My notes say I have a -4AU but it's got a 400Mhz CPU in it. Lenovo Support page doesn't recognize either model. My understanding is the the -xxU models were mainly intended for the US market, while the rest of the world got some other letter(s). The "55" in the serial number is also a flag to me; almost all of my Thinkpads of that vintage have serials that start with "78". Again, my understanding is that represents the factory it was made in.

ilakast wrote:Second screenshot is definitely helpful: Type is 2645-4A0
Looking it up on tabook



I think your's is same to the -4AU

There we go! Looks like I've gone blind. Thanks!

rkawakami wrote:Referring to your first photo: "294912KB installed and 163264KB usable" probably means that you have installed two 128MB modules that are "high density". I hope you ordered the proper "low density" modules for this 600E. If those "new" 256MB modules only have a total of eight memory chips on each board, then those are high density and they won't work (properly) either. A low density 256MB PC100 or PC133 module will have 16 memory chips (8 per side).

I bought 16 chip modules. Low density, 8 chips on each side. Also, I do believe you're right, I'm using 8 chip modules right now, four on each side. I mistakenly assumed, since they are nearly as old as the thinkpad itself, that they would work.

Don't know about the -4A0 vs. -4AU though. My notes say I have a -4AU but it's got a 400Mhz CPU in it. Lenovo Support page doesn't recognize either model. My understanding is the the -xxU models were mainly intended for the US market, while the rest of the world got some other letter(s). The "55" in the serial number is also a flag to me; almost all of my Thinkpads of that vintage have serials that start with "78". Again, my understanding is that represents the factory it was made in.

It was manufactured in Scotland if it makes a difference. Also, its been disassembled in the past, so it might've been down/upgraded.

Though, I was pleasantly surprised actually. I have a Toshiba with a 400 mhz Celeron and I was expecting similar performance. Well, I installed XP SP3 on it and it absolutely flies. So yeah, its swapping like a bugger, but its only running with 160mb ram. I just wish the P3 board from my 600x had survived. It would've been fun to try to get it running with a P3 850 board, but alas, it died an honourable death in the service of its master.

rkawakami wrote:My notes say I have a -4AU but it's got a 400Mhz CPU in it. Lenovo Support page doesn't recognize either model.

Yours must have been upgraded then, my -3AU and -4AU models fit those specs exactly. I wonder what PEMHz are though...