770ED - Problems Adding Memory

[needhelp]

I am encountering some problems while adding memory to my 770ED.

I got this laptop new many years ago and still use it on occasion (most often to watch DVDs but that is another story entirely!). It came with 64mb standard, 32mb hard-wired and a 32mb module in slot #1. For a while I had an IBM 128mb module in it (for a total of 192mb) but that crapped out some time ago. Now, since the price of SDRAM seems to be low, I want to add more memory again. I ordered two 128mb modules from Kingston (KTM-TP770/128). These are supposed to be PC66 and are intended to replace the IBM module I used to have (P/N 01K1150). The 770ED can recognize up to 288mb (32+12m+128) so this should work. However, I am having problems.

1. My laptop will boot with any one of the two new modules in slot #1 (and slot #2 empty). But, it won't boot with a new module in each slot. [The correct amount of memory is displayed but then I get 7 or 8 quick beeps and then a blinking speaker icon and hang.] Presumably, the modules are good since I can boot just fine with either module in slot #1 only.

2. During troubleshooting, I left slot #1 open and tried each of the two new modules (and my original 32mb module) in slot #2. Wouldn't boot - same symptoms. Is this normal? Or, should I be suspicious that slot #2 has somehow become bad?

3. I called Kingston for tech support and we went through a number of issues. The chips on the new modules are PC133 chips but presumably the SPD chip on the module makes them look like PC66 to the laptop. However, when I run CPU-Z it cannot see the SPD info on any of my three modules (I also ran Sandra and Everest Home Edition and they couldn't see the SPD info either). This doesn't seem normal but maybe it isn't unusual.

4. I have the latest BIOS for the 770ED (1DET38WW). Under Easy-Setup it says this is version 1.36. However, on the IBM/Lenovo website it lists the latest BIOS disk as version 1.34. Perhaps the 1.34 disk actually installs the 1.36 BIOS. BUT, that would be incredibly confusing. I am wondering if I downloaded and installed a BIOS that was later withdrawn.

Kingston has offered to test the memory to be sure it really is PC66 compatible if I send it to them (I bought it elsewhere) but I don't want to do that until other options have been explored.

Any help (or thoughts) greatly appreciated.

Art

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

From your description of how slot #2 does not like any of the modules you install in there and how it was not populated for a long (?) time, then I would say that the contacts have oxidized. It may be possible for you to get a small brush (wire, tooth, etc.) and clean the contacts. Another method would be to use a foam-tipped swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Cotton swabs could be used but tend to leave strands behind. Once the memory slot has been cleaned try the modules again. As a last resort, if you don't have a small brush on hand or the oxidation is thick, you could try using a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper. Be sure to clean any dust/debris that comes off before powering up the laptop.

The SPD information on the modules could be the problem if they have been set such that your 770ED system cannot use them. I'm assuming that your system requires the use of CL2 modules. If the appropriate CL2 bit in the SPD has been turned off, then that could explain it. I have just been through this problem with another poster on this board (ref. this thread). However, the fact that the modules do work in the other slot says that it can't be the SPD.

I also have not been able to get any software to read the SPD information from modules installed in my 600X or T23 systems. To solve the problem I referenced above I used a bench-top memory tester at work to read and re-write the SPD information.

FYI: A good diagnostic tool is the program memtest86+. You can download a copy from here:

http://www.memtest.org

Bootable floppy or CD version are available.

[WarMachine]

@ Ray :

Is the software you're using to read and write SPD available on the web ?

W.

[needhelp]

Ray:

From your description of how slot #2 does not like any of the modules you install in there and how it was not populated for a long (?) time, then I would say that the contacts have oxidized. It may be possible for you to get a small brush (wire, tooth, etc.) and clean the contacts. Another method would be to use a foam-tipped swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. Cotton swabs could be used but tend to leave strands behind. Once the memory slot has been cleaned try the modules again. As a last resort, if you don't have a small brush on hand or the oxidation is thick, you could try using a small piece of fine-grit sandpaper. Be sure to clean any dust/debris that comes off before powering up the laptop.

The contacts for both slots look identical when inspected with a magnifying glass - bright gold color. Nevertheless, I cleaned with alcohol and even make a couple of quick passes with sandpaper (I hesitate to do more than that as presumably it will take off the gold-colored covering on the contacts). And, I took my old dead IBM 128mb module (I still have it) and pushed it in and out many times in the hopes it would scrape off any oxidation.

What I don't know is whether the failure to read memeory in slot 2 when slot 1 is empty can ever be considered "normal" behavior. In other words, whether slot 2 should absolutely always detect my old 32mb module. If so, then I clearly have a slot 2 problem - either the slot is bad or the connection to the mother board or the BIOS or there is oxidation even though it looks OK or something else.

That wouldn't solve my problem but it would narrow down possible solutions.

I had read the thread you referenced before I posted. It was quite informative. I am glad you can confirm I probably don't have an SPD issue since both new 128mb modules work just fine in slot 1.

Art

PS - I didn't run memtest86 since it doesn't say it detects SPD and I had already tested the new memory as good with other software (MS memtest and Thinkpad Easy-Setup).

[rkawakami]

Is the software you're using to read and write SPD available on the web ?

No, it is not. The system I am using at work is a Darkhorse Sigma-3. It basically is a large box that contains the tester and a PC motherboard running Windows 95. There is a special Windows program which controls the tester. Memory modules plug into various sockets which can be swapped out for the different pinouts (SODIMM, DIMM, etc.). What I've been trying to locate is a general utility program that can be run from the PC that contains the memory modules and allows you to read and write the SPD information. While such a program will be useful, there is a danger in having that capability because if you don't know what you are doing you can render the module "useless".

edit: Added quote to clarify who I was responding to.

[needhelp]

@ Ray :

Is the software you're using to read and write SPD available on the web ?

W.

I successfully used CPU-Z, Sandra and Everest Home Edition to read the SPD info off the chips in my desktop (all three failed to read any SPD info off the chips in my laptop however). Because I am still using Win98SE on the laptop I had to find an older version of Sandra. Everest Home Edition has been discontinued so I had to search out an older version of that.

CPU-Z = www.cpuid.com

Sandra = www.sisoftware.co.uk

Art

[rkawakami]

I successfully used CPU-Z, Sandra and Everest Home Edition to read the SPD info off the chips in my desktop (all three failed to read any SPD info off the chips in my laptop however).

I believe that CPU-Z and Sandra are both able to read DDR (double data rate) modules and not the SDR modules that are used in my 600X and T23 systems. What I was looking for (along with WarMachine) is for a program that can write SPD information into the modules.

From what you have done to clean the contacts of the memory slot, it appears you may have a bad connection of that socket to the motherboard or a broken trace. I don't know if this is a common problem with the 770-series systems; a quick search of the archives shows these threads:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=24253
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=10731 (may not apply; 770X/Z)

and of course, there's the sticky:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=320

[Cheesemanx]

This is a little off topic of but with my 770ED, I had to download a modem update to get ED to boot up with new memory. It would only boot with one 128 meg in slot one. The link below describes the problem.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... WIK-437MJL

Hope this helps.

[needhelp]

This is a little off topic of but with my 770ED, I had to download a modem update to get ED to boot up with new memory. It would only boot with one 128 meg in slot one. The link below describes the problem.

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... WIK-437MJL

Hope this helps.

You are right on topic!

I did download and install the file you link to (quite a few years ago actually). I am close to giving up and returning at least one of the memory modules. I have a friend with an extra 128mb PC100 module I will try in my machine tomorrow. After that I don't have any ideas on how to proceed. I suppose I could scratch my hard drive and install everything again but that seems a bit extreme. The other option would be to try and track down some "true" PC66 memory but I suspect that may be virtually impossible these days.

Cheesemanx - Could you try a test for me? Does your Thinkpad recognize just one memory module in slot #2 (i.e., with slot #1 empty). Mine won't today and I cannot remember if it ever could years ago. I am slowly coming to the inevitable conclusion that my slot #2 is bad (maybe the slot is somehow messed up or the connection to the motherboard has gone bad - either way it probably isn't worth my trouble to try and fix on such an old machine).

Art

[Cheesemanx]

needhelp. I will try it on my lunch, and post my results this afternoon.

[Cheesemanx]

needhelp. I tried putting my 128 meg stick in slot 2. It booted up but it only displayed half the memory. I think that slot 2 acts wierd and only works 100% with PC66 memory in it.