T60 with 2GB (2 x 1GB SODIMMs from Lenovo) Locks Up

[Mtrack]

Was anyone able to have the IBM diagnostics test fail with these Micron memory cards? What tech support did you call to have them resend different memory cards?

I couldnt even run the diagnostics test. Just about every time I had the additional Lenovo 1GB RAM (VJ16U) with my original 1GB RAM that came with my T60p it locked up. The only time I didnt have the lock up was downgrading to BIOS 1.04. Worked a few times then locked up again.

I ended up calling IBM/Lenovo saying that I want to exchange my RAM. They gave me an RMA# for exchange and then they'll send out a new one (currently on back order per Lenovo rep) once they're available. They gave me an estimate of mid-July.

[lars_diehl]

Seems that Lenovo is not really interrested in solving problems with their retail customers. My local dealer also complained about the support they get. Without this forum it would be completely impossible to make any progress in this issue.

Finally my local dealer has replaced my two 1GB RAM modules (one Lenovo, one Kingston) by two identical Kingston modules. All tests (memtest and 3DMark) are passed now without any lockups. I've updated to Bios 1.06 and this configuration also seems to be stable.


--Lars

[christopher_wolf]

Seems that Lenovo is not really interrested in solving problems with their retail customers. My local dealer also complained about the support they get. Without this forum it would be completely impossible to make any progress in this issue.

Lord forbid the customer should call up and ask; that is really requiring too much of the user. Just like rembering and implementing a secure password.

[rfm]

I am amazed at the level of tolerance some people have. The ThinPad is billed as a business machine. To me, that means reliability.

I've never ever seen any machine as reliable as a ThinkPad. That doesn't mean they won't fail (specially with the abuse they are subject to by confident users), so the nicest thing is that when they fail IBM has the most reliable support out there (btw, for a business machine you should get on-site support; it pays off big time!).

I had a A21p that kept freezing. When I called IBM they sent me a tech that replaced the motherboard and CPU without asking any questions.

This time I got my memory modules, and after installing them my T60p works like a charm. If any T60p out there keeps freezing just call IBM and tell them you want to change the memory. If they don't want to ask them to escalate the call, and you'll get new memory eventually.

[Mtrack]

Update guys.

Returned my defective Lenovo 1GB RAM (VJ16U) to exchange it for a new one. Received the new one which is Samsung (just like the original 1GB RAM that came with my T60p) and it works flawlessly. Ran memtest over night without any errors. Been using it with 2GB for 3-days now without any lock ups.

I have now confirmed it and come to the conclusion that the lock ups were solely related to the 1GB RAM dated 5/22/06 with VJ16U from Lenovo.

It probably doesnt matters, but I ran both BIOS 1.06 and 1.07 without any problems. Currently on BIOS 1.07.

FYI- It was a very simple exchange. Returned the defective one (no questions asked) and the shipped out the new one shortly after.

[jake]

Final Update:

I received a new 1GB stick of Samsung RAM to replace the Micron VJ16U in just less than one week. I have been using it for several days without a single lockup.

I now have a 1 GB stick of Elpida running perfectly with the Samsung. I flashed BIOS 1.07... the system ran fine with only 1 GB Elpida as it does now with 2GB.

My only recommendation for those dealing with Lenovo Tech. Peform your test and diagnostics prior to calling these guys and gals. I have nothing to say but great things about Lenovo Tech support.

Thank you all int he forum for the help on my problem.

[festher]

i was thinking of getting 1gig extra for my t60p, should i skip that thought for now?

[jjesusfreak01]

i was thinking of getting 1gig extra for my t60p, should i skip that thought for now?

Yeah, I just bought an extra GB, and so far I havent been able to get it to run in any configuration, regardless of BIOS, order the memory cards are in, or x1400 settings. The memory cards are an OCZ 5400DDR2 5-5-5-15 667mhz and a Samsung DDR2 5300 5-5-5-12 (but it clocks by itself at 5-5-5-15).

After completely reading through this thread, I have come to the conclusion that I have one of the defective memory modules. A Micron dated 5/26/06, and with the VJ172 designation, the second one reported to be defective. Ill post back and tell y'all how my support call went.

[jjesusfreak01]

I really have nothing but good things to say about Lenovo tech support...I just got off of my support call with them. I explained my problem to the guy, told him what I read on the forums here (I didnt specify which forums), and I was put on hold for a little while. When he came back, he told me that he had talked to his team (?) and he was going to get the memory replaced. He also said that he had looked up Thinkpads.com and seen this thread about the problem. I now have a new stick of memory on the way to replace the defective stick, and I hope this one works better. Cant fault them for this one though He also made sure I knew that the new memory might not help my problem with the OCZ stick.

If you read this (IBM tech support), thanks for the help!

My IBM tech support history:

1. Called to get a set of recovery discs because I couldnt create my own, my system was messed up, and the recovery console didnt work. They sent me the discs, they were here in two days. The problem may have been caused by a bad image (my school custom images the laptops). Luckily, the newest image my school uses customizes the recovery console so that it will restore their image correctly.

2. Called to get a stick of defective memory replaced, its in the mail...

Fast, friendly, speak english (based in Atlanta), and seemingly smarter than the average tech support person (no offense to any tech support people here)

[FlexOink]

I just picked up my T60p, I orderd an extra IBM/Lenovo 1GB stick, which makes a total of 2GB, I just ran 3Dmark05. No problems at all, none with 3D applications, none with booting, nothing.

Especially this topic had me really scared of problems with the T60p, but everything is fine. Maybe they removed all the bad sticks from their stock.

[jjesusfreak01]

I just picked up my T60p, I orderd an extra IBM/Lenovo 1GB stick, which makes a total of 2GB, I just ran 3Dmark05. No problems at all, none with 3D applications, none with booting, nothing.

Especially this topic had me really scared of problems with the T60p, but everything is fine. Maybe they removed all the bad sticks from their stock.

Well, it was only those two sets of sticks made in May by Micron. Its likely they got enough complaints that they figured out the problem. Glad you dont have the problem though, its quite annoying.

[Kamika007z]

I recently had also ordered a 1GB stick for my T60p 2007-84U from Lenovo and installed it. Upon shutdown, it started beeping and then turned off, but the fans were still on and everything else was off. I then forced to shut it down entirely by pressing the power button.

I then went to these forums and searched if anyone else had the same issue. Reading that the Samsung memory, quite possibly, the VJ16U stick may be bad, I opened up the touchpad assmebly to check the number, it was S/N V H/N (if I remember correctly) and the H/N was VJ151, so I am going to assume that this should be fine. I reseated the memory and made sure it was firmly in. It hasn't beeped or caused any crashes since.

Also, this might not be related or anything, but on a random note: I have a friend who has a T43p and had put in a 1GB stick of memory and every since the upgrade, he was unable to resume from hibernate. What fixed it was that he had to hibernate and then press F8 and delete the restoration point and then boot up normally. Only then he was able to sucessfully hibernate and then resume.

Also, to note: he wasn't even able to be able to resume from hibernation by shutting down, starting up, and then hibernating. He had to delete the restore point to rebuild the hibernating file (?? is it a file?) to be recreated.

By the way, why is the CAS latency on these modules so high? It's set at 5, so is the ones on crucial.com. Anyone know?

Thanks again. I'll report back if anything weird happens.

[jjesusfreak01]

5 as opposed to what? 4? 5-5-5-15/12 memory is standard. A latency of 4 generally is only found in high end memory.

[Kamika007z]

5 as opposed to what? 4? 5-5-5-15/12 memory is standard. A latency of 4 generally is only found in high end memory.

I've seen memory that is CL 2.5, but that is for ddr333 memory. Maybe I'm not understanding how CAS latency works. How do you know that 5-5-5-15/12 is standard? Is there something that I'm not getting? If so please do tell

Thanks!

[jjesusfreak01]

5 as opposed to what? 4? 5-5-5-15/12 memory is standard. A latency of 4 generally is only found in high end memory.

I've seen memory that is CL 2.5, but that is for ddr333 memory. Maybe I'm not understanding how CAS latency works. How do you know that 5-5-5-15/12 is standard? Is there something that I'm not getting? If so please do tell

Thanks!

Standard as in, its the timings that you find in most memory. I dont think a CAS latency of 5 is usually considered slow on the faster RAM (realize the clock speed probably makes up for it). When I looked up some high end RAM, it appeared at this clock speed a latency of 4 was tops...

[Kamika007z]

Interesting. Thanks for the information jj

Regarding my memory issue. It happened again. While I'm not getting any crashes, I went into the BIOS this time to change to Compatibility mode instead of AHCI and I saved and exited and the system beeped. This time, I believe the beeping code was 1-3-3-1-1 and the screen went blank and everything else shut off (or it seemed so), but the fans were still on so I had to perform a hard shut down.

I think I'm going to call up Lenovo and have this memory stick replaced. This is a little rediculous if you ask me.

Anyone else have any thoughts? The odd part is that my computer never crashes or anything odd. Just those beeps. So far, I've had it happen to me twice, but that's twice too many as it is

[jjesusfreak01]

Well, I just received my new Samsung memory module by means of DHL. I am running it now, and in a few minutes im going to run the Rightmark memory stability test for an hour, but so far, I think I have been running longer than I was ever able to before. Im happy.

[Kamika007z]

Great to hear it! I, on the otherhand, am waiting for my replacement.

The tech told me to use the same brand memory. So when I receive the replacement, I should use both Samsungs. In otherwords, I should be returning my micron memory module instead of the samsung that initially came in.

[jjesusfreak01]

Great to hear it! I, on the otherhand, am waiting for my replacement.

The tech told me to use the same brand memory. So when I receive the replacement, I should use both Samsungs. In otherwords, I should be returning my micron memory module instead of the samsung that initially came in.

Okay, just got back from some errands, but while I was out the Rightmark memory stability test ran for an hour, with absolutely no problems. Before I left, I played sessions of Battlefield 2 and the COD2 demo with absolutely no problems. I am running an OCZ PC5400 and a Samsung PC5300, respective timings 5-5-5-15 and 5-5-5-12, though in dual channel both are running well at 5-5-5-15 (note: even the defective Micron stick I replaced registered in the Rightmark Memory Analyzer as running at 5-5-5-15, though it was labeled at 5-5-5-12, so the 5-5-5-12 labeling is probably a little off). This is great. I wasnt sure if it would work when I got the replacement stick, but it seems to be rock solid, even under intensive use.

Thanks to the forum members! Without the info on this thread I would not have been able to get the replacement stick of memory.

Note: I am running BIOS 1.09a, its possible that it may have also contributed to the stability.

[Kamika007z]

5-5-5-12 is that better than 5-5-5-15? It would be miniscule, but for informational puposes, lower means better?

Thanks

[Conmee]

I received replacement SODIMM from Lenovo and these were made in Germany. All tests pass (PC Doctor, 3DMark, and various mem tests).

I still have 2 1GB SODIMM (Elpida manufacturer, made in Japan) that worked flawlessly. If anyone is interested, I'll be posting a "For Sale" in the appropriate forum. No reasonable offer refused. I'm also selling the 512MB SODIMM that shipped with my T60.

My IBM service rep, spoke English (with Indian accent, not that it matters) and I received excellent service. The memory was backordered a few weeks but was delivered as promised. Very happy that the issue was resolved.

Daniel.

[Kamika007z]

Ok, so I got the beeping again (still waiting on the replacement ram). The beeping is 1-3-3-1, does that sound relevant to this thread? This time I am 100% sure.

Thank you!

[jjesusfreak01]

Ok, so I got the beeping again (still waiting on the replacement ram). The beeping is 1-3-3-1, does that sound relevant to this thread? This time I am 100% sure.

Thank you!

Take a look at Lenovo support here. According to that site, its either the DIMM or the system board. Try reseating your memory before calling for a system board replacement.

[Kamika007z]

Thank you for the link! It's got to be the memory. We'll see when I get my replacement memory in

[robbi]

I posted the same memory problem as Jake a couple weeks ago with regard to the T60p 2623DDU.

I was excoriated for branding the 2623DDU a "stinker."

Fortunately, I ignored the advice of the gurus and sent the computer back to IBM. I ordered a 2007-92U with 2GB RAM.

The 2007 works fine. I would not waste one second on the defective computer. Send it back and get a later model.

[Kamika007z]

Just letting you all know that my original Micron memory has seemed to be the problem. When I purchased an extra 1GB it was a Saumsung, I got beep codes, they sent me another one, an Elpida chip and it wouldn't play nice (again) with my Micron, so now I have the Samsung and Elpida memory modules in. So far so good.

I'll report back if there are any more issues.

Thank you

[rockefella]

Ok, now I'm getting beeps 1-3-3-1 and crashes. I got the original 1 gb lenovo replaced by lenovo. I have a 1 gb crucial stick in there too. Each stick works fine on their own, but put them together and I get the crashes.

Lenovo is telling me to send back the Crucial and order an extra 1 gb from lenovo, since that is all they will support.

[Netnose]

Hello everyone, this is my first post I like this forum!

I just wanted to let you know I had excactly the same problem with freezing after upgrading with a 1GB Lenovo module... I called support (here in Germany) and they're sending me two new identical 1GB modules. That should solve all problems they said. I really hope that's true.

Regards,
Netnose

[randomocity]

Hey all,

I'm having the same problem and i hope you can help. I ordered my T60p (2623-DDU). I am an ECE, or studying to be one rather, and ive been having the same ram problem with my thinkpad. It seems to be a very intermittent problem when i run one type of game (Warcraft 3) and even then its on and off. My guess to the problem seems to be an issue with the hypermemory not being able to recognize the full 2 Gb addresses and when it hits an address in the ram that is out of range, it freezes. Im running a 1 gb stick of ram from Lenovo (Hynix) and one i bought from newegg, which i believe is a 1gb patriot stick of ram. Both sticks have passes a full 50 cycles of memtest and i get the feeling that this has more to do with the video card's interaction with the ram. I have no idea what to do to resolve the problem though im debating on downgrading the bios to 1.04 or 1.05a, which seems like the most stable versions as of now. Am i completely off in my hypothesis or could it be something in this area?

[Ade]

Hi All,
Been reading through this thread and it has been a mix of confusing and enlightening at the same time.

I just got my T60, and it is a 512MB. Can anyone recommend what the best memory is out there to purchase and upgrade? Also can I run the 512MB alongside a 1Gb?