1GB RAM in A30 model 2652, is it possible?

[FragrantHead]

The machine in question is an A30, not A30p, model 2652, PIII-M 1GHz. I believe it should have an Intel 830MP chipset and support 1GB via 2 modules of 512MB. However my usual supplier, Crucial, only lists 256MB modules as compatible. They list 512MB modules for the A30p only. I ordered 512MB modules from a different supplier, Offtek in the UK, which don't work, as it turned out. Machine freezes. Sometimes at the BIOS password prompt. Sometimes during Windows 2000 boot. One time it got as far as the Windows logon, but still froze then. POST does not detect a problem with the memory. BIOS was flashed to the latest from the Lenovo web-site, but no joy. Tried only 512MB, but still no joy. Machine works fine with it's old 128MB modules.

So what's the story? Did I simply get the wrong memory or does the A30 in fact not support 512MB modules? Does anyone know?

[HenryW]

You can try this 512MB memory stick in any other system to see if it works. I remember A30s support 512MB module.

[aaron158]

does the bios pick up that there is 1 gig of ram there when u have the chips installed.
here are the part numbers for 512 sticks ibm says work with an a30
ThinkPad 512MB SDRAM SO DIMM fru:19K4656,19K4657 3.3 Volt, 144-pin, non-parity, 64-bit, 133 MHz SDRAM memory

could also be that the ram is defective u can use this program to test for that http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip

[FragrantHead]

Thanks. The memory I got was supposedly 19K4656, although I doubt it was an original IBM/Lenovo part. Yes the BIOS did show 1GB present and the POST (power-on self test) usually worked, claiming the memory was OK. Neither of the two chips worked individually either. I doubt they were both faulty, though that's certainly possible. I think they were the wrong type of not-so-compatible memory. I have sent them back for a refund.

Does anyone know a reputable supplier in the UK or Ireland that doesn't charge an arm and a leg? I paid £66 + VAT per module, which was OK, but it goes for as high as £170 elsewhere. It's just not worth it at that price. I'd rather buy a new machine in that case.

[aaron158]

u could try ebay but i mean i have basicly the same system as u and i got 2 256 sticks for a total of 512 and this things goes about as fast as i p3 system is going to go. i really doubt that 1 gig would make all that much diffenace with these systems. the guy i bought it off had the oringal 128 mb stick it and it was sooo dam slow i got the 2 256 stick for about $78 canadain and dam did that ever make it fast

[FragrantHead]

We run an Oracle database, developmenet environment and Virtual PC simultaneously on our machines. For that you need 1Gb. Whether the CPU is actually good enough remains to be seen, but the P3 was a good performer, despite it's now lowish clock speed. We'd like to use the machine. Good screen, 2 drive bays.

A colleague has spoken to Crucial who confirmed they actually stopped selling 512Mb modules for precisely the same symptioms we had. So it's back to the original question. Does anyone have a working A30 2652 with 1GB? What memory do you use, original IBM?

[Kendas]

A colleague has spoken to Crucial who confirmed they actually stopped selling 512Mb modules for precisely the same symptioms we had. So it's back to the original question. Does anyone have a working A30 2652 with 1GB? What memory do you use, original IBM?

Hmmm... Don't know why they had problems with their 512 memory. I've got 768mb total (512/256) in my A30 running with no problems at all. Can't afford to go to 1gb yet.

Memory for the A30 is:

512MB PC133 144 pin HIGH DENSITY SODIMM.

From AllMemoryUpgrades.com they are about $104.00 per stick.

P/N: ME512P133so144


Ken