T410 - RAM Upgrade 2x2GB -> 2x4GB - Win7 x64 hang at classpnp.sys

[Ralf_]

Hey,

i upgraded the memory of my T410 from 2x2GB to 2x4GB.

BIOS recognized that Memory (8GB) but Windows (7 x64 + all Patches) hangs at loading classpnp.sys (Safemode) - in Normal Mode it hangs before displaying the Windows Logo .. just says "windows is starting" (reboot using keyboard did not work).

What did i do:
- BIOS Update (from v1.39 to v1.45)
- switched SATA Mode from AHCI to Compatibility and back
- Removed DVD Drive

Any Ideas what i can do?
May a clean Windows Install fix it? (i installed everything a few days ago completely new - with 4GB RAM)

Many Thanks for any Ideas/Tips/Hints
Ralf

[lembang]

Any reason sata mode revert back to compatibility mode?
I'm not a windows user, but newer linux has some issue with it. Have you tried running it with AHCI mode?

[Ralf_]

Any reason sata mode revert back to compatibility mode?
I'm not a windows user, but newer linux has some issue with it. Have you tried running it with AHCI mode?

Yep .. with AHCI and compatibilty Mode -> same issue

The reason for changing / testing this were some postings about this kind of issue i found in the net

[rkawakami]

A slightly belated Welcome to thinkpads.com!

Whenever adding "new" memory to a system I would always recommend running a memory diagnostic to make sure everything is working as it should. One such program is called memtest86+ and it can be freely downloaded from here:

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso

Run it for at least a couple of hours. Enough to run through at least 3 complete passes of all the patterns. Once you have verified that the memory is functioning 100%, then tackle your other problems.

[RealBlackStuff]

What are the exact make/model/specs of those new RAM-chips?
Should be either ddr3-1066 or ddr3-1333, a.k.a pc3-8500 or PC3-10600, not any higher for a T410.
You may also have installed Low Voltage (1.35V) RAM instead of Normal Voltage (1.5V).
Not all laptops like these Low Voltage chips
Also check that the modules are 2RX8 (2 Ranks[=sides] with 8chips on each side) instead of 1RX8.

[Ralf_]

Hey rkawakami,

thanks for the welcome .. memtest fails with funny screen issus (black blocks), system hangs and reboots after a while


Hey RealBlackStuff,

the new memory is a mushkin PC3-10666 9-9-9-24 1.5V and looks like double sided.

My old memory is a hynix PC3-8500S with 1Rx8


I dont know what i should do now .. the memory i bought doesnt work .. i will return it to the shop.

Are there any recommendations what product is working with a T410 (2x 4GB)?

Thanks for the Hints!
Ralf

[RealBlackStuff]

Go for some better-known RAM-brands such as Hynix, Elpida, Samsung, Axiom, Micron.
Mushkin assembles someone else's chips onto their own modules.
Only ever bought one Mushkin pair (PC2-6400 for a T61), never again...
Also stay away from Corsair and any so-called "Value" RAM modules.

[thinkpadcollection]

Is your failed memory modules 8 chips per module? That's the problem. Any 2Rx8 which is 16 chips per module is a must on T400/T500, Tx10 are upgraded from anything to 8GB total and Tx20 also Tx30 when upgrading to 16GB.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[rkawakami]

Go for some better-known RAM-brands such as Hynix, Elpida, Samsung, Axiom, Micron.
Mushkin assembles someone else's chips onto their own modules.

I've been out of the DRAM world for several year so I didn't recognize Axiom as a DRAM manufacturer. As it turns out, they're not. Here's a blurb from their "About Us" page:

Axiom memory products are designed and manufactured using tier-one components and represent the very best in quality management, reliability, and advanced memory testing.

In English, this means they may buy components/die from Hynix, Epida, Samsung, Micron, etc. and assemble modules. Same as what Mushkin, Kingston, Corsair, and other assemblers do. The major differences between them is the quality/design of their PCBs and how extensive their final test/QA screening is.

[ThinkPat]

I recently fitted a Crucial 8GB Kit (4GBx2) DDR3-1600 (p/n CT5311307) into my T510 and ran memtest86+ for 12 hours. Yes, it only needs (and runs at) 1066MHz but that doesn't matter. It is slightly faster in a benchmark but not so much you'd notice for everyday tasks.

[lembang]

@ThinkPat
Not too sure if there is any bios mod for t510 with RAM Speed unlock, but you can try find one.
I have my T420 that officially says only run 1333 but I've been using G. SKILL 1600 works fine.
The only flaw I have is 5 beeps from cold boot, thats because of the TPM, if you dont use the TPM should be fine.

[ThinkPat]

Thanks, the speed the RAM runs at doesn't bother me though .... I just wanted to let people know that it works with that particular kit, in case someone else has a T510 they want to upgrade. In my experience with desktops, apart from benchmarks, I've never noticed any real benefit from overclocking RAM. In this particular case, I think the RAM clock is determined by the CPU anyway (need to research this though).

[rkawakami]

As far as I know, Thinkpads are essentially speed locked when it comes to the memory subsystem. Yes, it might be possible to fool around with the hardware/firmware and increase the bus speed but I don't think it's a simple modification. Memory spec'ed to run faster than what the laptop's hardware provides, will simply run at the slower speed. In some ways that is beneficial as the memory will generally run cooler and consume less power, along with the small probability of increased reliability as the memory is not being pushed as fast as it could handle.