T400 User Needs More RAM

[mh9162013]

Most likely an advertised "4 GB" T400 on Ebay will already have both slots filled with 2x2 GB installed in it.

That's exactly what I want. Assuming I don't plan on upgrading to 2x4GB RAM sticks, 2x2GB is better than 1x4GB, right?

Even if it isn't, I'm fine with 2x2GB...better than what I'm using now.

[mh9162013]

Update: Just found the perfect T400 (has a battery, 4GB ram, etc.): http://www.ebay.com/itm/272265800739?_t ... EBIDX%3AIT

It's a really good deal; I'm just hoping it's not too good to be true. If it is, I'll be sure to use eBay's "generous" buyer protection. Some of you all might be interested in it too, since the buyer has more than 1 for sale.

[TonyJZX]

7417TRU

P8400(2.26GHz), 2GB RAM, 160GB 7200rpm HD, 14.1in 1280x800 LCD, Intel X4500HD, CDRW/DVDRW, Intel 802.11agn wireless, Bluetooth, Modem, 1GB Ethernet, UltraNav, Secure chip, Fingerprint reader, 6c Li-Ion, WinXP Pro

ok laptop, I hope it has an LED screen. I picked up an almost identical unit for $49 here in our currency. Even had Win7 installed on it which is neither here nor there. Is a fine workstation for people who just want email web youtube and low end office tasks.

[mh9162013]

If the purchase I made on eBay doesn't work out, I may place a WTB thread here...

[mh9162013]

Update:

The $45 Thinkpad was a no show. Luckily, eBay quickly refunded my money. I ended up buying another T400 for $59 wihch had 4GB RAM and a 90W AC adapter which was nice. Windows 7 Pro 64 bit was loaded, too.

When trying to install the 2 x 2GB RAM chips from the "new" laptop into my current laptop, I learned that the top (closest to the keyboard) RAM slot doesn't work. When installing a single RAM chip in that slot, the computer will beep when trying to boot up and won't actually boot up. Putting that same RAM chip in the bottom RAM slot fixed the problem.

I've read that faulty RAM slots are possible in Thinkpads. Any idea on what might fix it? I'm guessing a new motherboard is the solution, albeit not a practical one. I'm just asking here to make sure there isn't some simple fix I'm unaware of.

[Hans Gruber]

You probably should check to see if you are using low density ram or high density ram. You want the high density ram with 8 memory chips on each side. I am guessing you may be trying to use memory with 4 memory modules on each side. Those do not always work on laptops.

Check to see how many memory modules you have on each side of your memory stick.

[mh9162013]

You probably should check to see if you are using low density ram or high density ram. You want the high density ram with 8 memory chips on each side. I am guessing you may be trying to use memory with 4 memory modules on each side. Those do not always work on laptops.

Check to see how many memory modules you have on each side of your memory stick.

That's the RAM I have. Basically, I have 3 2GB Ram chips, and they all work in the "new" laptop, but only work in the bottom RAM slot in my current laptop. It's not the RAM, it's definitely the slot.

[kfzhu1229]

You probably should check to see if you are using low density ram or high density ram. You want the high density ram with 8 memory chips on each side. I am guessing you may be trying to use memory with 4 memory modules on each side. Those do not always work on laptops.

Check to see how many memory modules you have on each side of your memory stick.

That's the RAM I have. Basically, I have 3 2GB Ram chips, and they all work in the "new" laptop, but only work in the bottom RAM slot in my current laptop. It's not the RAM, it's definitely the slot.

Well you need to look out for bus speed as well... yours is PC3-8500 (1066mhz) if I'm not wrong. You should get the 1066mhz version of RAM, if you get the 1333 it may work, if you get 1600 it is most likely not going to work
I tried PC2-6400 (800mhz) 1 and 2GB DDR2 in my Dell OptiPlex GX520 desktop (it is supposed to take PC2-4200 (533mhz)) and it beeps. If I put PC2-3200 (400mhz) it runs slower, if I put PC2-4200 (533mhz) or PC2-5300 (667mhz) they both work fine.
Also I don't think # of chips (high-density or low-density) matter anymore.. That is important in the SDRAM era (E.G a low density PC133 (133mhz) 256mb stick will work in all T2x computers but a high density one will only work on a T23/A30 and a PC100 one will only work on a T20-T22 computer)

[mh9162013]

It can't be the RAM because both of the "new" RAM chips work in one slot, but not the other.

[kfzhu1229]

Like you need to see the bus speed of the ram. Bus speed can result in that if massively mismatched

[Hans Gruber]

Memory modules default to the lowest speed if using modules with different memory speed. If you try to put DDR3 1600mhz, your computer won't boot with that memory. The OP should tell us what specific memory module he has that doesn't work. The brand and model number.

[thinkpadcollection]

Is your memory 16 chips per module and matched set? Lower slot is the starting point, the top slot is 2nd.

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[mh9162013]

If a perfectly good RAM chip is placed in JUST the top slot, are you guys saying that the T400 won't even boot?

[thinkpadcollection]

Please confirm are both of your memory module 16 chips per module? Also tell us what is your two modules are? (brand and text on it).

Cheers, thinkpadcollection

[jaspen-meyer]

It can't be the RAM because both of the "new" RAM chips work in one slot, but not the other.

One last hope is to check the ram slot for 'foreign objects' - use a magnifying glass. A bad contact renders slots unusable.

[mh9162013]

Update:

Finally got a can of air and figured I'd blast away at the RAM slot that doesn't work. Guess what? It now does. So I'm finally running 4GB RAM (instead of 2GB) on my Core Duo Thinkpad and I can definitely see the difference.

This will be great for my Swagbucks (and work!)

[MikalE]

In my limited experience, the T400 and T500 are somewhat finicky about memory. I bought and returned memory twice for my T500 before finally finding a brand that would allow the system to boot and be recognized.

It's not always a failed slot.