Thinkpads Forum

This machine is rated for a maximum of 256MB of memory (see http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Category:S30 and the hardware manual linked from there). However, having had the keyboard off, it appears that the "soldered on" 128MB is in fact in a socket. Could I replace this with something bigger?

Exactly what would I need to buy to get the most out of this machine? The form factor is fantastic, and if I can get more RAM into it, I might replace the hard drive with something bigger/faster while I'm at it... Or is there some form of hardware limit that means 2 * 128MB is the absolute maximum? I took a look at http://www.crucial.com/uk/ and they didn't list the model (presumably because it was Far East only).

I had the lid off to reset a forgotten BIOS power-on password -- remove the 5 screws marked with >> on the underside, carefully unplug the keyboard, and short jumper JP1 (under the plastic cover more-or-less in the centre of the logic board).

The only thing I miss on the computer (besides it feeling a bit sluggis due to RAM starvation) is a "normal" serial port for using it as a terminal. Highly recommended if you can manage to acquire one.

You mention in a post in a different thread that you have a slow hard drive. I'd replace that and see what happens. Upgrading your hard drive to a nicer model with at least 8mb cache and 5400rpm or 7200rpm spin speed will make more difference than you'd think.

Or is there some form of hardware limit that means 2 * 128MB is the absolute maximum?

Yes, there is. Since the chipset of S30 is 440MX, there is no way you can put more than 256MB.