Thinkpads Forum

I have been having a mostly fun adventure upgrading my Thinkpad 600 (2645-51U). So far I have installed WinXP, a PII 366, 288MB RAM, wireless, DVD and Microsoft Office 2000.
Overall, the little beast does a great job as a second laptop when I don't want to break out the T60.

So far I've had 2 frustrations...

1) All of the hardware changes gave WinXP a fit so I had to reactivate over the phone. Not a big deal but, a PITA nonetheless.

2) I can't seem to find any "real" low density PC66 128MB SODIMMs. The stuff I have bought on ebay that claims to be "real" PC66 won't pass Setup diags on my 600. It will boot just fine but, the BIOS only uses 224MB of the total 288MB.

I have read several threads in this forum regarding this issue and was left with the impression that IF I have the correct PC66 sticks that they WILL work and I will be able to fully use 288MB.
Is that correct? If so, WHERE can I find the correct RAM?

I may have a spare 128mb stick of PC66 ram at the house. I can check when I get back on Wednesday/Thursday.

I can easily just trade you for the PC100. I don't really work on the 600s anymore....just the 600Es and newer.

wpwood3 wrote:2) I can't seem to find any "real" low density PC66 128MB SODIMMs.

That's because it doesn't exist. Lo-density only comes into play with 256MB sticks.

What are the EXACT specs of the memory you've added to the system? I ask because the results you're seeing are exactly the same as I experienced years ago on my 51U when attempting to use PC100 memory in it.

Where should I send a stick of 128MB RAM if I find one here in the mess? Shop address OK?

Regards,

James

Thanks guys!
I have sent PM's to both of you...

JHEM wrote:What are the EXACT specs of the memory you've added to the system?

I have already returned the 128MB sticks to the ebay supplier I bought them from so I don't have them in front of me. I went back to the 64MB sticks that I originally had in the 600 that work fine.

I did research the chips on the SODIMMs however...
Each SODIMM contained 8 chips (4 per side). There was a sticker on each stick that said PC66 128MB but no brand name. The actual chips were Micron MT48LC8M16A2TG-75. My research shows these as PC133 chips. What do you think?

Hey guys,

If any of you guys have a spare of two sticks of pc66 ram, i'm very interested too. I need the ram for my 770 that's i'm repairing.

Please send me PM if you have something. THanks

baraider, are you looking for any size pc66 ram or specifically 128mb sticks?

from what I gather, my 770 can max out at 288mb by using 2 sticks of 128mb....i even read about people getting more..but i'm not sure on other version other than vanilla 770.

tfflivemb2, 128mb will be best but anysize will do since I don't know if i can get my 770 to work. I'm still looking for a caddy to put on a HD.

I will check when I get back. I am not certain about the 128mb sticks, but I know for certain that I have some 64mb PC66 sticks.

JHEM & tfflivemb2 -
I sent both of you a PM earlier today. Hopefully you received it. I know there was a problem with PM's today. Let me know if I need to resend.

I did receive the PM, and I am looking for the ram this evening.

I have been working overnights lately and my free time has been anything but free.

wpwood3 wrote:JHEM & tfflivemb2 -
I sent both of you a PM earlier today. Hopefully you received it. I know there was a problem with PM's today. Let me know if I need to resend.

I got your PM, all I've found so far is a pair of 64MB sticks, they're your's if you want them.

I'll keep looking for the 128s.

Regards,

James

Thanks but, I really need a 128MB stick. I'm trying to max out the RAM in my 600.

I finally have 2 128MB sticks of genuine IBM PC66 RAM in my 600 and I'm pleased to report the BIOS sees ALL of it!

Installed - 294912 KB
Usable - 294336 KB

Windows XP sez - 288 MB

This proves that the TP600 will use 288MB IF it is real PC66 and not PC100 or PC133. The stuff I ordered on ebay marked as PC66 was just remarked PC100 & PC133.
This completely solved the problem of one slot seeing only half of the RAM installed.

Glad to hear that it worked. Sorry that I wasn't able to locate any PC66 sticks for you.