Memory question (Thinkpad 600E)

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Dr_Frankenmiga · #1 Post by **Dr_Frankenmiga** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 4:40 pm

Hi, I was recently given a Thinkpad 600E (2645-4AU) from a family member and a dam fine machine it is too. I love this little thing

Anyhow...I have been Googling all day about information for the maximum memory I can install it and theres either alot of disinformation (or im stupid well maybe that too) some places say 288Mb and here in the FAQ at the top of this forum it says :

Usefull FAQ wrote: The 600E:
MMC2 processors ranging from PII-300 to PII-400 (Dixon) with 66MHz FSB.
Base RAM: 32MB. Max RAM: 556MB.
Video RAM: 2.5MB NeoMagic MagicMedia256AV

I would just like to chuck in the maximum I can, since RAM is cheap at the moment. I was thinking about 2 x 256Mbs.
I have disabled the onboard 32Mb by doing all that Config buisness and then using that small hex editor to change the appropiate values.
I also read that to go for the 512Mb I would have to use 16 Chip Low Density Dimms is this true?

So any help in this matter would be appricated

I also baught 3 busted batterys off Ebay which I will try to repair so thats next and then maybe soon a CPU upgrade. I hope to use this bad boy for a while

Website · #2 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Thu Nov 17, 2005 7:35 pm

Yes, you can upgrade with 2 256MB sticks, but they HAVE to be LOW DENSITY ram stick. You can visually tell is they are low density because each stick will have 8 black squares on EACH side of the memory stick.

ALSO, you will need to upgrade to the latest BIOS version. (1.16 I think)

Also, there is no need to disable the onboard memory, unless you are going to upgrade the processor beyond 400Mhz.

Dr_Frankenmiga · #3 Post by **Dr_Frankenmiga** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 9:12 am

Thanks for that

I have found various sources of PC133 Low Density SoDimms but for 2 x 256Mbs it would work out quite alot

I read somewhere the 600E cant take 2 x 512s as someone wanted to do that so I guess it wont take 1 x 512?

Ebuyers own brand 256s are quite cheap (also known as pretty crap well there desktop ram is) but it does not say if there low density I would rather buy new than 2nd hand afterall I want to keep this for a while

Does anyone have any stores they could recommend?

Website · #4 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 11:29 am

Sorry, I forgot to mention that they also need to be PC100 144 pin sticks. PC133 won't work, atleast not the 256MB sticks. Some 128MB PC133 will work, but for the 256MBs they need to be pc100.

Also, what is your type number from the bottom (ie. 2645-8BU)...some 600Es might not take the 256MBs.

I generally check eBay...if you are lucky you might get them for $40-50 each including shipping.

P.S.
The 512MBBs will not work.

Dr_Frankenmiga · #5 Post by **Dr_Frankenmiga** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:06 pm

The Thinkpad is a 2645-4AU then theres a serial number and then I think what looks like a date 10/99.

So I need 2 x 256Mb Low Density PC100 SoDimms there my best chance?
Im having trouble finding them and when i find something close the cost is crazy or the specs on the site dont list all the info I need, waiting on some mails now

whizkid · #6 Post by **whizkid** » Fri Nov 18, 2005 1:45 pm

There are reports that with the latest BIOS that ALL 600E's will take two 256MB, PC100 low density SO-DIMM parts. I'd still buy from someone with a good return policy.

These parts are old and expensive. Lenovo's price is (was?) US$159. Crucial's price is $76, but they are selling PC133 parts, and guaranteeing them to work. (In a 600X.) Kahlon's price is $74, and they guarantee them to work in a 600E.

I bought two from a local laptop repair shop (no web store) for $45 each, used, so you might try a local shop in your area... maybe take your 600E to the shop to ensure it works right away.

pianowizard · #7 Post by **pianowizard** » Sun Nov 20, 2005 4:29 pm

I suggest searching for "33L3070" on eBay. I bought 33L3070 modules (256MB PC100) for my 600E, 240 and X20 and they worked nicely on all three machines.

I agree that the 600E is very nice and with enough memory installed, it is powerful enough for most people.

Dr_Frankenmiga · #8 Post by **Dr_Frankenmiga** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 6:26 am

Hi, all back again

Got a new battery and CMOS battery things are going well so far.
I do still need the ram however all the ram I found on eBay was coming from far far away. I was wondering if these modules would work :

http://www.pcworld.co.uk/martprd/store/ ... =undefined

At least since its PC World I can just go back and change them if theres a issue, something I doubt some eBay seller on the other side of the planet would be much help with

Thing is there PC133...and it does not say there Low Density.

I did find some 33L3070's for the same price as them PC World ones (£26) PC100 LowDensity

Website · #9 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 9:50 am

No, those will not work.

They have to be PC100 low density. They will have 16 total chips on them, 8 on each side.

I just checked that PC World site for you. They do have 256mb PC100, but it appears to be high density, so that won't work either.

Here is one from eBay, which is a little more than I would pay, but they do list shipping to the UK.

Dr_Frankenmiga · #10 Post by **Dr_Frankenmiga** » Tue Jan 17, 2006 11:45 am

Thanks for the help

I found these :

IBM FRU 33L3070

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/IBM-256Mb-PC100-1 ... dZViewItem

I was wondering I have seen people use the Mobile Pentium 3 CPUs in the 600's now I know only some run on the 100Mhz FSB. So even if i get this RAM now I sould be ok for a P3 some time later?

Thank you for all your help so far, sorry for being a pain in the [censored]

Memory question (Thinkpad 600E)

Memory question (Thinkpad 600E)

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