Thinkpads Forum

Email me your address Mike, I'll send you some known good PC66 memory out of one of my hangar Queen 600s for you to try before you chase anymore retail sources.

Sure looks like you got a bad stick of memory.

Regards,

James

OK, James. This is very nice for you... I sent you my address via email instead of saying a lot of thanks... I will keep you and other folks posted for my project progress.

The following is Mike's first post in this thread:

"I bought the 2x128MB memory chips for my 600 2645-45U from Kahlon. I looked at Kahlon's website and the invoice sent to me with the chips and they all said P66. But the system only can see 228MB, not the 288MB (256MB + 32MB). I upgraded the BIOS to the latest. The BOIS says that total memory is 288MB, usable memory 228MB. I found that the first memory slot only can read 64MB even I put the 128MB one in. Is this the problem of my laptop's memory slot or the memory chip from Kahlon?"

I later posted that I ran into the same problem with adding 256MB(2-128MB) and the 600 reports 228 just as in Mike's post. I was wondering if anyone had an answer to why.

I had bought PC100 memory off EBay and had the same results. JHEM, I think, suggested that the early 600 were very picky about PC66 vs PC100. So, I ordered two more 128MB sticks from a different vendor - I was only able to find something called PC66/100 low density SODIMMs. Put them in this afternoon and the 600 still reports 228MB. The spec specifically says Low Density 144 pin SODIMM. The sticks do have 4 IC's on each side, so I question if they are Low Density or not.

The memory diagnostics run with no errors reported.

Any other suggestions or ideas as to why it only sees 228 and not 288MB.

Thanks again for any input.

DRHamp wrote:Any other suggestions or ideas as to why it only sees 228 and not 288MB.

Because the memory is PC100, not solely PC66.

Regards,

James

JHEM wrote: Because the memory is PC100, not solely PC66.

Ok James - thanks again. I will find some PC66 and try that.

A final question -- I've read(I think in this thread) that you must use low density RAM with the 600. Supposedly, the way you tell is that hi density RAM has 4 chips on each side and Lo density has 8 chips on each side. The four sticks that I've already purchased all have 4 chips on each side.

I want to make sure I buy the right thing this time --- In your opinion, must the RAM be Lo density or 8 chips per side?

Thanks again for your advice - I'm just determined now to get it right and have the machine see 288MB

128 MB SoDIMM Lo Density RAM has 4 chips on each side, for a total of 8 on the module.

Let me tell DRHamp my experience. I just received 2x64 MB PC66 IBM memory sticks from James this evening. I put them into my 2645-45U. I immediately felt the big differences after I logged on to my W2K. In my previous post you can find that I bought 2x128 MB online from Kahlon several weeks ago. Although the total memory capacity was 228 MB that is what the 45U could see that time but the machine was running much slower than now with James' memory sticks installed. I remember that Rob Mayercik told me that he got his thinkpad 600's memory sticks from a computer show and tested them with his laptop there before he paid. I feel that memory quality is extreamly important. If possible, you should get the ibm memory sticks or the pull out ones from the working machines. Even with the same capacity, IBM certified memory chips are the best for the thinkpad. My case much strongerly supports that. Now I strongly feel that if I can get the 2x128 MB IBM memory or the pull out, the W2K on my 45U can definitely see the 288 MB total memory. I'm moving forward and working on my project. I will keep you folks posted for my progress.

James, we've never met each other and I didn't know you before; but you help me as like a well known friend. I respect you a lot!

Mikec,

Bu yung shie.

Regards,

James

What James wrote to me meant that "Never mind or You are welcomed".

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mikec wrote:What James wrote to me meant that "Never mind or You are welcomed".

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I'm glad you clarified that for me. I do not have the benefit of JHEM's higher learning.