T23 512 Meg ram compatibility? where can i get the cheapest?

[Xenomorph]

my T23 has 512 megs of ram (2x256).

i was hoping to get it up to 768 megs or even 1 gig.

however, the T23 ram i've found cost around $100 for a 512 meg stick. i dont want to pay $100-$200 to upgrade the ram!

there are other 512 meg PC133 sticks i've seen for around $65, but they dont specifically say they work with the T23 (they just mention "IBM").

so, how do i know if a 512 Meg PC133 stick will work with my T23?

i'm asking this because an A20m i've used is VERY picky about ram. it uses PC100 sticks, and i went through half a dozen before i found some it liked.

[rkawakami]

Several T23s in my current stable are running 1GB. Generally I like to use Micron 512MB PC133 CL3 modules. Part number is: MT16LSDF6464HG-133. If you are patient, you can get them for less than the $65 you quoted. Hmm... maybe I've just created some competition on eBay...

What you should be able to use is any 16-chip, PC133 module made by most any major name-brand memory manufacturer. Micron/Crucial, Samsung, Hyundai, KTI (Texas Instruments, I believe), Mitsubishi, ProMOS, Mosel Vitelic (full disclosure: I work for MV, which in turn is owned by ProMOS). Run it through memtest86+ or the memory diagnostic in PC Doctor and if it passes, you should be in great shape.

[BruisedQuasar]

my T23 has 512 megs of ram (2x256).
i was hoping to get it up to 768 megs or even 1 gig.
however, the T23 ram i've found cost around $100 for a 512 meg stick.

I added 512 to my T23 a year ago. I paid about $50 total for new brand name module. Just visit a few of the top maker-reseller sites and use their memory matching utility. It will tell you the part number and most include links to authorized retailers. Here are a few with better prices than Crucial or Micron: Viking, PNY (what I bought through a retailer), Centon, Kingston, Ultra

Tigerdirect.com the online retailer has a memory configurator now. Make sure you have the correct one because Tiger, like a lot of bigger resellers, does not allow cash return of memory. They do exchange only and you pay postage

[rkawakami]

Just tried TigerDirect.com. They currently do not list any 512MB PC133 module. Also, Crucial.com has gotten some things wrong when analyzing the system with their scanner, so be careful there too.

(edit: Tried using the dropdown boxes at Crucial.com and if you select "T23 (Type 2647)", it does NOT show 512MB to be an option, but if you use "T23 (Type 2648)", it does. Both types can take 512MB modules.)

[Xenomorph]

well, i just bid on 2 'MT16LSDF6464HG' chips. $81 for both.

there is 3 hours left in the auction, so i dont know if i will get them.

[califas]

Installed two MT16LSDF6464HG-133C2 CL3 chips in my T23. When either is installed they beep 4 times and one of them sometimes does not beep at all. In all cases the screen is blank and the machine does not boot. Needless to say when both sticks are installed it does not work either.

I don't think its the T23 because I have 128 and 256 sticks that work just fine. The ebay seller has perfect feedback and its hard to assume that both sticks are bad.

Advice

[rkawakami]

Can you be more specific about the beeps you're getting at boot time? Is it a sequence of 3 beeps, a pause, 3 more beeps, another pause and then a single beep (typically written as 3-3-1)? There can also be a single beep immediately upon applying power, so the sequence can also be 1-3-3-1.

That Micron module is the proper one that should work in the T23. Three answers are possible when you get 3-3-1 beeps when using those modules:

- both modules are defective; either memory cell errors or improper SPD information
- one or both memory slots in your T23 are defective
- there's some other problem with your laptop

Since you say that your existing 128MB and 256MB modules are working, if the problem is with the T23, that just leaves the very slim chance that it cannot recognize a 512MB module (the high-order address line is broken). I'm also assuming that you have tried both modules in either slot individually and received the same error(s).

I have previous seen some modules which had the wrong information programmed into the SPD (serial presense detect) area, which allowed the module to work in some systems but not in others.

In order to verify that the problem is with the modules, the basic procedure would be to install them in another PC133 system and see what happens. If that can't be done, then you probably should contact the eBay seller and explain your situation.

[califas]

Closer inspection shows that the stick that does not beep has one gold pin where a portion is scraped off. The other stick gives 4 beeps, no extra pause in between the beeps. This stick has a cracked chip.

I do have a x22 but at this point I don't think it would be wise to test it.

Would this ram be worth buying

310092482009

[rkawakami]

I think that I have purchased 512MB PC133 SODIMMs from this seller before. If it is the same seller, what I got were generic modules (no identifiable manufacturer's logo). Regardless if you get name-brand or no-name product, I would strongly suggest that you test the module(s) using a program like memtest86+. Allow it to run at least three complete passes for each module (~2 hours for a 512MB in a T23). Be sure to also test them when they are relatively cold, as some memories can have problems operating at, or slightly below, room temperature.

Prices for 512MB PC133 SODIMMs have been dropping in recent months. Last time I checked, the best Buy-it-Now offers were around $25 so this one is fairly good.

[RealBlackStuff]

I have bought several 512MB sticks from SmileNTango, all tested fine and work great.
Some of the RAM chip markings were 'machined away' beyond recognition, but like I said, they all work great.