Crucial 1GB PC2700 for $108 at Newegg – Will it work?

[brooklynboy]

If the price is right, I’m looking to upgrade the memory on my T30, currently at 512MB. My plan is to replace one of the two 256MB SODIMMs with a 1GB, for a new total of 1280MB.

IBM no longer sells PC2100 memory, but according to their web site, PC2700 can also be used. Other manufacturers’ PC2100 now seems to be more expensive than PC2700.

Two questions regarding compatibility:

1) Is it true that the T30 will accept up to 2GB with the most current BIOS?

2) Is there any chance of incompatibility or reduced performance running a 256MB PC2100 module in one slot and a 1GB PC2700 module in the other?

Searching the Crucial site for “T40 pc2700” turns up two candidates:

- CT392185 1GB for T42 2378 -- $162
- CT347276 1GB for T41 2373 -- $167

Newegg is also advertising a special on Crucial CT12864X335 for $108 here, expiring tomorrow. Searching the Crucial site, I find:

- CT12864X335 1GB for VIA EPIAN motherboard -- $167

All three Crucial parts have IDENTICAL electrical specifications (though I saw no mention of things like gold-plated or unplated contacts, which used to be an issue.)

Two final questions regarding this item:

1) Is the $108 Crucial module compatible with my T30?

2) Is this the best price anyone has seen for a 1GB PC2700 module from a reputable manufacturer?

Thanks to all.

[LtTPfan]

Have you tried dealram.com? One of the vendors, 18004memory.com, lists Thinkpad T42 2378 as 200 pin PC2100 266MHz DDR SODIMM.
Check THIS LINKout.

1GB listed for T42 2378 for $139 shipped (200 pin PC2100 266MHz DDR SODIMM).
Also same specs in generic for $105.

I believe 200 pin PC2100 266MHz DDR SODIMM should be what your T30 came with.

[andrey]

1) Is it true that the T30 will accept up to 2GB with the most current BIOS?

Thinkpad T30 will accept only up to 1GB of RAM

[tfflivemb2]

Actually, they do go up to 2GB with the latest BIOS.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t30+memory

[andrey]

Actually, they do go up to 2GB with the latest BIOS.

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.ph ... t30+memory

Really? There is nothing about 2GB in the BIOS notes:

ftp://ftp.software.ibm.com/pc/pccbbs/mo ... uj12us.txt

[daeojkim]

The T30's and A30's series can be upgraded up to 2GB wit hthe latest BIOS. The reason that it originally was stated to take up to 1 GB (2 x 512MB) was because when those machines were released, there were no 1 GB sticks.

It has been confirmed by many people that you can put up to 2 GB (2 X 1GB) on these machines with the latest BIOS.

[tfflivemb2]

Not sure why it isn't listed, but I tested two 1GB sticks in my T30 (2366-41U) and they worked. Unfortunately, I didin't get to keep them, I just tested them to test the T30 Max.

My BIOS is only updated through 2.07, I think. I don't have it here with me, as it went in for service, before the warranty expired.

[wolfman]

Just a note that you can also go to 2 gig on the R40 series models that use the Pentium 4-M cpu's if they have the i845MP chipset...which is the same chipset used in some (all?) of the T30's...

[chubes]

I bought that exact same memory for my T30 from newegg and it worked flawlessly. But I can tell you I only bought 1GB. I know for a fact that one of the memory slots in mine just went bad, right after it went out of a three year warranty.

I thought I was clever when I told myself that since the maximum that I thought the T30 could do was 1GB, I said to hell with the broken slot and bought the 1GB DIMM for the good slot.

Now to find out that it can take 2GB, well hmmm. Darn slot.

[BruisedQuasar]

Is it possible to increase T23 memory capacity (1Gig) by way of BIOS upgrade?




--Bruised

[tfflivemb2]

I believe that the T23 is capped at 1GB, even with the BIOS upgrades.

[brooklynboy]

I know for a fact that one of the memory slots in mine just went bad, right after it went out of a three year warranty.

My T30 is a refurb unit with only a one-year memory, but the slot problem was fixed for free without question a year and a half after purchase. Give them a call.

[brooklynboy]

Any comments re the following:

2) Is there any chance of incompatibility or reduced performance running a 256MB PC2100 module in one slot and a 1GB PC2700 module in the other?

And so, are all SODIMMs with identical electrical specs in fact identical, and IBM's and Crucial's multiple SKUs just ways of extracting a few extra bucks?

Thanks again.

[tfflivemb2]

I believe that IF you ARE able to combine the two different stick of ram, they would then operate at the speed of the lower chip. You most likely wouldn't notice the difference of the reduced speed if you are jumping from 256MB up to 1.25GB.

As far as compatibility goes, I am not sure. I just know that they above applies in other TPs that I have worked on.

[chubes]

I believe that IF you ARE able to combine the two different stick of ram, they would then operate at the speed of the lower chip.

You are correct.

Guess I'll call service after final exams are over to get the slot worked on. Thanks for the tip!

[qmainracing]

How can you tell if a computer has the BIOS upgrade? I just bought a refurbished T30 that should be getting here later today. I want to get a memory stick to test the second socket and was planning on getting a 1GB, but I don't want to get it if it won't work.

[brooklynboy]

Run the ThinkPad Configuration utility and click System Information | Details. On the BIOS Information tab, you'll find the BIOS version and the Embedded Controller version, which are 2.09 (1IET70WW) and 1.07, respectively, on my machine. The BIOS and Embedded Controller usually need to be updated in unison.

Edited to note that my machine is also a T30, fully updated using the Software Installer.