Two T30 Questions

[Kanilas]

I come to you tonight with two issues on my mind. The first, and more pressing issue is my memory. I recently tried to upgrade my T30 with another stick of RAM, it is the proper type, and the BIOS and dxdiag fail to recognize it. I've read that this is a common problem, and is usually fixed by replacing the system board. The only problem is, I'm out of my warrenty period. So, I do not want to put out the $300 for a new system board, nor buy a 1GB stick of RAM. (I'm trying to add a second 512MB stick) I'm wondering if anyone else has attempted to contact IBM/Lenovo about this, while they were out of warrrenty as well. I'm hopin that since this is a common problem they'll do it for free. (Or maybe just charge shipping.)

My second problem is this. My T30 has an ATi Mobility Radeon 7500, and I'm wondering if that can be upgraded? the Dxdiag listing is:

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: ATI MOBILITY RADEON 7500
Manufacturer: ATI Technologies Inc.
Chip type: Mobility Radeon 7500 AGP (LW)
DAC type: Internal DAC(350MHz)
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_1002&DEV_4C57&SUBSYS_05171014&REV_00
Display Memory: 16.0 MB
Current Mode: 1400 x 1050 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Default Monitor
Monitor Max Res:
Driver Name: ati2dvag.dll
Driver Version: 6.13.0010.6114 (English)
DDI Version: 8
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/18/2002 12:45:10, 215424 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: ati2mtag.sys
Mini VDD Date: 6/18/2002 12:44:50, 456192 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B71EE2-0F17-11CF-4664-1D25A2C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x1002
Device ID: 0x4C57
SubSys ID: 0x05171014
Revision ID: 0x0000
Revision ID: 0x0000
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_D ModeMPEG2_C

Thanks for taking the time to read this post. I eagerly await any help that I can get.

-Kanilas

[LtTPfan]

Did you try your original DIMM in the other bank? If it works in it it's not a system board problem, it's incompatible memory you've got.

No, the onboard video cannot be upgraded.

[tfflivemb2]

Supposedly, IBM/Lenovo will still replace the systemboard if the second DIMM slot is bad, even if it is out of warranty. There are several threads in here regarding this.

[cpustlauk]

I too had a problem, similar to yours. I bought a second memory chip and it was not recognized.

Finally while pressing down the memory module a little it was recognised.
Apparently the memory slots on some T30 are of rather bad quality and you have to apply a bit of pressure so there is contact between the slot and all pins of the memory module.

I have inserted a bit of rubber to apply pressure and now I get 1GB of memory.

Try this method, it might work for you as well.

regards

Christian

[Kyocera]

Tiff is right, unfortunately there was a problem with the T30 memory slot, Len at absolute in Raleigh told me that the way to tell if yours was repaired is the memory cover, if it has a raised square part in the middle it has the repair.

[maddmike]

THEY HAVE EXTENDED THE RECALL OR WHATEVER THEY ARE CALLING IT.
WARRANTY OR NOT. I WOULD NOT WAIT TO LONG TO CALL. IF YOU CHECK ON EBAY THERE ARE PEOPLE WHO WILL MAKE THE CALL FOR YOU
AND CHARGE 75 BUCKS.

[Kanilas]

Firstly, I would like to thank everyone for replying with the speed that they did, this seems to be a great forum. And to answer the potst replying to it-

LtTPfan - I've tried the memory supplied by IBM/Lenovo in both banks. Slot 1 will recongize which ever memory is put into it Crucial or not. If I -only- put one stick in the slot closest to me when the PC is right-side-up, the computer will not recognize any RAM, and beeps at me. Thanks for ansering my video card question as well.

tfflivemb2 - I did honestly try a search for this, but wasn't able to turn up anything concrete, so I decided to ask. Thanks for your answer.

cpustlauk - Thanks for informing me about this method, I'll give it a try as soon as I'm done typing this and let you know how it turns out. Thanks.

Kyocera - I'll look when I try cpustlauk's solution and let you know about the status of mine, thanks.

maddmike - I'm not quite sure what you mena, are you implying that I have to get someone to call IBM/Lenovo for me? I thought I'd just call them myself...

Thank you for your replies, everyone.

-Kanilas

[tfflivemb2]

You can and most certainly should be the one to call IBM. For someone else to call and charge you $75 is ridiculous. IBM's service is outstanding, and I am sure that they will handle this without any problems. I'd also becareful about sticking something in there to get it to work. If IBM is going to fix it for free, then why devise a plan to work around the problem. However, if for some reason (one which I cannot phathom) that they refuse to repair it, then try a work around. Just my 2 cents.

[Kyocera]

I'll call them for you for $65.00

[Kanilas]

I hate to dissapoint you Kyocera, but I'll call them myself.

As for the memory hatch, there's a thin translucent sitcker than covers 75% of the inside, but I don't think that's what you're looking for. As for the video card, would they be replacing it with the same one (a Mobility Radeon 7500) or is it a better one now? (Or is it possible to supply extra $$ to get them to put in a better one?) In any case, I'll be calling IBM/Lenovo on tomorrow. Thanks everyone.

[LtTPfan]

Do you have to have the problem already or can you get it fixed to head it off at the pass?

[Kanilas]

I'd think that you have to have the problem. Anyone know the answer to my video card question?

As for the video card, would they be replacing it with the same one (a Mobility Radeon 7500) or is it a better one now? (Or is it possible to supply extra $$ to get them to put in a better one?)

[Kyocera]

LtTPfan:

Do you have to have the problem already or can you get it fixed to head it off at the pass?

Not sure about this but I know you just got your machine, does it have the memory cover with the raised part in the middle? I assume that when IBM got word of this problem they incorporated the fix in the later models. There may be a serial number reference you could search for or possibly call them. Or call Len or one of his guys at www.AbsoluteRaleigh.com.

[LtTPfan]

No, mine doesn't have the raised spot on the DIMM cover. I have 256mb and 512mb sticks in it now so both banks are working as is everything else. I guess I'm best off leaving well enough alone. They do replace with refurbed boards don't they? Or, do they repair your board? Another issue is my upgraded CPU; I've sold the original.

[tiorapatea]

I too am interested in this because I have agreed to buy a T30 from an auction site. I do not know yet whether it has the raised spot on the cover but, if IBM's free swap-out is on the verge of coming to an end, I need to think now about whether I would go for that.

Criteria:
1. If one has the uncorrected slot, does this a) possibly or b) probably prevent you from maxing out the memory?
2. Does this depend on one's choice of memory modules?
3. Does it affect one or both slots?
4. If the board is replaced by IBM/Lenovo, will they use an unused board from some warehouse of end-of-life stock items or will they cannibalise some other machine that was sent in but is beyond repair?
5. Do IBM generally have a good record of returning the machine in at least as good a state as it went in? How good is a good record?
6. I am in the UK. Does this make a difference in terms of either IBM/Lenovo's repair policies or the likely quality of servicing?
7. Other criteria that I cannot think of.

[Edit:8. If my machine arrives with both slots populated but without the raised spot on the bottom, does this mean I will have no problems if I subsequently buy a higher-capacity module (assuming the machine works in the first place and I choose the correct module for upgrade!)?]

If anyone can answer these questions, please do!

[tiorapatea]

Just got the T30 and I am just amazed by the _immaculate_ condition of the machine. After my near-disaster on a recent T40 deal on the same nightmare of an auction site, I have to say I could not be happier.

The machine is just so solid, too solid for some of you, I know, but since this is a desktop replacement, it fits the bill perfectly. Plus, it meant I could afford the SXGA+ screen and it has built-in 11b and bluetooth too.

It is great that paupers and cheapskates such as myself can afford to own quality equipment like this - I feel like I have robbed a bank or been indulged by someone to whom I will be forever indebted .

Anyway, the only issue is that, as expected, the memory slot has no raised spot. I would be extremely reluctant to see this machine disappear to a factory for repair but I don't want to find out down the line that I can't max out the memory. The machine came with 512MB but I haven't even checked yet whether both slots are populated. Since standard config was 256, I would have thought it likely that they are. If so, does this mean I am ok even with higher capacity modules?

T30 2366-92G, SXGA+, Wifi, Bluetooth, 40GB 5400, 512MB, DVD/CDRW!!

[brooklynboy]

If both slots are populated and the machine reports the correct amount of memory, then the motherboard's OK. The T30 originally maxed out at 1GB, but a BIOS upgrade increased this to 2GB. I'm currently running 1GB in one slot and an original 256MB in the other, and all is fine.

If you look to buy memory, note that the T30 will accept PC2700 as well as PC2100 SODIMMs, and the latter, though faster, are generally cheaper these days. The machine, however, will continue to run at the slower speed. My two SODIMMs are of mixed speeds, with no problems.

[tiorapatea]

Thanks, yes the 2 GB thing is a nice extra. I saw on Thinkwiki that someone did this with Kingston memory but I must look around some more to see if there is a list of "qualified" 1GB modules out there (here?). Then all I need to do is wait a couple of years until I can afford one second-hand...

I checked the machine and both slots are populated so it looks like I am ok. On the other hand, maybe it just means that the second slot will become unsoldered long after IBM have stopped offering to replace motherboards and I shall spend an eternity asking unanswered questions on auction sites about whether there is a "raised spot" on the base of some T30 with a broken screen. Then I can learn more about the different motherboards that T30s have shipped with throughout their lifecycle and which ones supported this or that feature.

I'll stop now...

[basscleff]

is there a expiry date on this T30 motherboard "swap"?
thx

[tfflivemb2]

It was something like March 31st, and it appears to be taking an act of Congress to get past it.

[Kanilas]

It was something like March 31st, and it appears to be taking an act of Congress to get past it.

Yup, I was told that I was "luck to get mine fixed in time." Anyhow, when I got it back, they said that my wireless card was bad... Until the day I sent it off, it had worked just fine, but I get it back, and presto, the wireless card is dead, and the memory all magically works. But, now I've got another aggrivating problem. When I run an application that uses any Graphics Acceleration (Re: All games) the screen decides to distort itself. To provide an example, it's as if you;re watching a Rabbit-eared TV, where the picture has so many horizontal distortion lines that it's hard to see anything. If I take a screenshot, all is fine in in. The solution that I've found to this is to A) Forcefully tap the monitor on the left side of the upper case. (I try to avoid this) Or B) lift the laptop up, and forcefully tap the bottom of the case, near the front of the machine. After that, it usually goes away for a good amount of time. It seems to come back at random intervals, or at least some time frame that I cannot descern. Any help is appreciated in solving this problem!

[tfflivemb2]

I had a problem similar to this on my T30. I think that IBM/Lenovo had to change out the system board to repair it, since it was still under warranty.

[Kanilas]

I had a problem similar to this on my T30. I think that IBM/Lenovo had to change out the system board to repair it, since it was still under warranty.

Crap..... Mine isn't under warrenty any more......