T30 memory slot not recognizing RAM.

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Shohan · #1 Post by **Shohan** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 4:56 pm

I've got a second hand T30 and have been more then happy with it. Recently I took a look at how much memory was in it so that I could upgrade from the 256MB it has now. When I removed the panel to access the memory I find out that there is 2 DIMMs in there... Both 256MB. Well, I swap them around. Still only 256MB. Then I try just one and both will work in one slot, but neither will work in the other. And just today I tried a brand new 512MB DIMM and it'll work in the one slot, but not the other as well.

Anyone have any ways for me to test or fix this short of replacing the motherboard? The laptop is out of warranty so that's not an option. If I have to I could replace the board myself, but I don't particularly want to do that.

Searching only turned up one post which had a similiar problem where the motherboard was replaced under warranty by IBM.

Thanks for the advice.

#2 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:14 pm

Search back through the t30 topics and you will find your answer, long story short there is an issue with t30 and MB recognizing the ram. You may have to read back through as opposed to searching but there is a lot of info. Also google.

dsvochak · #3 Post by **dsvochak** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:30 pm

These are probably the two most informative threads on this issue:

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=19681

http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=13262

Shohan · #4 Post by **Shohan** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 5:53 pm

Thanks for the info guys(girls). I'll take a look. When I searched for 'T30 memory not recognizing' it only came up with the 1 post I mentioned.

#5 Post by **Kyocera** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 6:09 pm

for the record we're both guys

Shohan · #6 Post by **Shohan** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:22 pm

Kyocera wrote:for the record we're both guys

Sure you are.

and I'm a hot Swedish swimsuit model. 6'1" 150lbs.

J/K Just trying to be PC plus you never know with the internets.

Shohan · #7 Post by **Shohan** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:51 pm

Awesome! I clicked your FAQ link Kyocera and looked up my warranty information and the laptop is still covered. Is this warranty transferrabe as I'm not the original owner?

If so I'll be calling them up and trying my luck. Thanks for the links again found some good info to use when/if I call.

brooklynboy wrote:Call 800-IBM-SERV and describe the problem. Say that you heard that there's an "engineering change" available to correct it, described in document MIGR-44772.

Repair should be free within the warranty period, and probably free even outside the warranty.

Good luck!

Edit: Oh also, is there anything that voids the warranty? Since having it I've upgraded to a 60GB HDD and installed an wireless NIC. For the NIC I had to use the no-1802 BIOS hack to allow me to use the Atheros card. Will this be a problem? Obviously I can not ship the HDD and remove the NIC, but will they be able to notice the BIOS?

Website · #8 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Mon Jun 26, 2006 9:09 pm

You are VERY lucky that it is still under warranty. The warranty follows the laptop, so you should be good.

The hack on the BIOS might present a problem, but you can always update your BIOS, which will "reset" it, thus eliminating the hack. You will just have to redo the hack one you get it back from IBM. If you have the latest BIOS, I believe that you can back your BIOS down a step, which will also remove the hack.

As for the hard drive, it is considered user replaceable, so no problem there. Infact, when they send you the box to send it back, they ask you to remove the hard drive and anything else not related to the problem. In this case, I would remove the hard drive, optical drive and wireless card. Leave the ram there, so that they can test it with the ram that you have.

T30 memory slot not recognizing RAM.

T30 memory slot not recognizing RAM.

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