600E 2x256MB RAM incompatibility?

[mcc]

Hello guys!

First of all, i'd like to thank whoever is responsible for maintaining this forum, it's the most valuable information source for Thinkpads in the net. I've been here before and got lots of useable information about my 600E. It's quite old, the trackpoint is gone, it has lots of scratches and dents, but it's still running perfectly and i love it

Recently i've tried installing openSuSE 10.2 on my 600E and decided to buy some additional RAM, because SuSE seems to do a lot of swaping with the 256 MB i had so far. So, i looked for an additional 256 MB 144 pin low desity module on eBay, and finally got one today. After inserting the new module and starting the system, i got the Message "523712 KB OK." So far so good. But from this point on, the only thing happening is the DVD spinning up and the speakers produce some noise for ~ 1 second. After that, i only have a blinking cursor and nothing happening.

So, i have tested using only the new module and tested it with Memtest86, no problem there, the module is OK. Same goes for the original module, which always worked fine. But both together seem to cause a problem of some kind, the system is not booting at all, not even to BIOS.

The module i used all last year is from Samsung, the new module i bought from ebay does not wear any manufacturer label, but the chips on it are from SEC (?). Both modules have 16 chips and look similar, but not identical.

Does anyone have a clue, why those modules don't work together? Could there possibly be a way to fix this problem?

Thanks in Advance,

Jan

[rkawakami]

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Hello guys!

First of all, i'd like to thank whoever is responsible for maintaining this forum... <snip>

That would be Bill Morrow (owner) and the team of admins and mods (some of whom are "gals" too ).

So, i have tested using only the new module and tested it with Memtest86, no problem there, the module is OK. Same goes for the original module, which always worked fine. But both together seem to cause a problem of some kind, the system is not booting at all, not even to BIOS.

Have you tried testing the new 256MB module in both slots to make sure you do not have a problem with a bad slot?

The module i used all last year is from Samsung, the new module i bought from ebay does not wear any manufacturer label, but the chips on it are from SEC (?). Both modules have 16 chips and look similar, but not identical.

SEC should also be Samsung chips

Does anyone have a clue, why those modules don't work together? Could there possibly be a way to fix this problem?

I understand that there are some motherboard/systems in the 600Es that are picky as to what modules they accept. Try searching the archives here and see what you can find. I'm sure that the others that have had more experience with the 600E systems will respond here. In fact, I will be trying myself to install a couple of 256MB modules in two "new" 600E systems I recently obtained.

[mcc]

(some of whom are "gals" too )

Oh, sorry, a "hi" to the ladies aswell of course!

So, i have tested using only the new module and tested it with Memtest86, no problem there, the module is OK. Same goes for the original module, which always worked fine. But both together seem to cause a problem of some kind, the system is not booting at all, not even to BIOS.

Have you tried testing the new 256MB module in both slots to make sure you do not have a problem with a bad slot?

I have tried them in both slots each, always the same result.
Currently i am running Memtest86 again, the first run (using the new module and the onboard RAM, 288MB total) just finished without errors. That's strange, as i remember switching off the onboard RAM after getting errors in Memtest with the other 256 MB module installed. I am testing the old module together with the onboard RAM now...

edit: Second Memtest is done, no errors either. Strange, voodoo computing...

[rkawakami]

I have a 600E, 2645-4BU, with BIOS INET35WW (currently, one version back from the newest) and have just installed two 256MB PC100 modules into it. The first one is a Micron MT16LSDF3264HG-10EE4, the second a Samsung M464S3323BN0-L1L. Both are "low-density", 16 chips per module designs. On boot, POST indicates 556480 and Windows 98 reports 544MB installed. Haven't yet tried to run memtest86+ on the system but I would assume everything is working fine.

I also have a 2645-4AU system at home (with an even later BIOS version) and will try the same modules later tonight.

It's possible that something in the SPD information in one (or both) of your modules is not correct. I have seen this happen twice in the last few months (and could also explain some earlier reports of memory incompatibility):

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=34684 (600E system)
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=27864 (T22 system)

And it's also possible that your system is one of those that seem to have problems with memory compatibility. I would say search the archives here with your type number (2645-xxx) and see what you can find.

If this is an SPD issue I have not yet found a way (program or utility) that can alter the SPD information on a module installed in a laptop. What I used here at work in the two links I referenced above is a stand-alone memory tester. If you can find a resource which is able to at least read the SPD info, then maybe you can determine if that is (or is not) the issue. I have previously tried to use the CPU-Z program but it was not able to read SPD off of the modules in the 600E.

(edit: Corrected Samsung part number)

[mcc]

oh i am stupid ^^

I've tested the using both modules at the same time in both banks, and i've tested each modules leaving bank 2 empty, but until now i didn't test bank 1 empty and bank 2 equiped with a module. Now i found that i get the same symptoms when i install a module in bank 2 and none in bank 1, so it seems that bank 2 is damaged in some way i don't suppose that this problem can be solved without installing a new mainboard, which is out of question...

[rkawakami]

Searching the archives for memory slot problems with the 600E seems to say that there have been a couple of instances where cleaning the contacts of the SODIMM socket or wedging something inside the memory bay helps:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=11475
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=18380
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=19812

There are also some mentions of disabling the onboard 32MB in order to have the "problem" slot recognize all installed memory. I did not have to do this with my systems.

I have just installed the same two 256MB modules I described in my earlier post into another 600E (2645-4AU BIOS INET28WW; real old!). Again, on POST 556480 KB is "seen" and Windows 98 says I have 544MB available.

My recommendation is to attempt to clean the SODIMM connectors of "bank 2". Getting something into the area where the pins are in the socket is not easy, but you can try using a foam-tipped swab dipped in isopropyl alcohol. I have seen advice on using spray contact cleaners but I would not use that stuff unless you know if it is safe on plastics. Some cleaners will attack or dissolve certain plastic compounds so be careful if you choose that option.

What is the type number of your 600E and the full part numbers of the modules you are using?

[mcc]

Hi again,

The type number of my 600E is in the signature, but I don't know the exact description of the RAM modules.

I've already tried cleaning the contacts, but nothing changed. The strange thing is, that the memory size is detected correctly, but it won't boot with a module in bank 2.

However, i have already put the module back on eBay, currently i should use the money for other stuff than for the 600E anyway

Thanks for the advice nevertheless, rkawakami!