thinkpad 600x memory problem

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bbuzz230 · #1 Post by **bbuzz230** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 3:50 pm

when i boot up my tp600x i get an os error.... this is w/ 64mb onboard memory and a 64mb stick

i tried disabling the onboard memory (using ctrl+d in config menu in bios and editing byte 2B) and i am able to boot into windows.

When I shut down, the onboard memory for some reason turns back on and i receive errors at start up, usually 161, 163, or 173.

When i hibernate the onboard memory stays disabled.

Is there a way to keep the onboard memory disabled for good and not have it revert back when i shut down?
could this possibly be a cmos battery problem?

thanks in advance

#2 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:37 pm

Welcome to thinkpads.com!

My understanding is that when you edit the BIOS to disable the on-board memory, it will stay disabled until you "initialize" the BIOS. You can also test your memory by downloading a copy of memtest86+ and seeing, 1) how much memory is identified by the diagnostic program and 2) if it detects any failures.

bbuzz230 · #3 Post by **bbuzz230** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 4:57 pm

I tried running a memory test on it. When i enable on-board memory it recognizes 128mb (64+64), but returns errors. When i disable the on-board, it recognizes 64mb, and gives me no errors.

Are you saying that initializing the BIOS will revert it to default (enabling on-board ram)?

#4 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 5:12 pm

bbuzz230 wrote:Are you saying that initializing the BIOS will revert it to default (enabling on-board ram)?

That is my understanding. I don't have a 600X with me at the moment to test this out but you should be able to do this with your 64MB module installed:

- enter the configuration edit menu and change byte 2B to disable on-board memory (80 goes to 81, I believe)
- exit BIOS
- run memtest86+ It should report 64MB and pass
- turn off the system, re-boot with F1 to access Easy Setup and see if byte 2B is still 81. Hopefully it still is.
- perform the Initialize function, re-boot and again check the 2B byte.

bbuzz230 · #5 Post by **bbuzz230** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:41 pm

ok so i tried that and when i initialize the BIOS, the 2B byte goes back to 80, meaning that initializing just enables the on-board ram again.
Does the bios initialize each time the comp starts up? and is there a way to permanently have the on-board ram disabled?

#6 Post by **rkawakami** » Tue Apr 10, 2007 8:59 pm

I don't believe that the byte will change back by itself by simply turning off the laptop. There may be something going on with your CMOS battery as you suggested in your first post. Pull it out and test it with a voltmeter if you have one. If you can't do that, then if this is the original battery, it's time to be replaced.

bbuzz230 · #7 Post by **bbuzz230** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 7:26 pm

ok i tested the CMOS battery w/ a volt meter... about .8 volts, so i ordered a new battery.

hope that's the problem...

JHEM · #8 Post by **JHEM** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 8:10 pm

What's the exact spec of your added memory stick?

Sounds like it's not playing nicely with the onboard PC100 memory.

James

bbuzz230 · #9 Post by **bbuzz230** » Wed Apr 11, 2007 10:00 pm

its a kingston ktm-tp390x/64
64mb SODIMM pc100 144 pin

i've ordered 2 sticks of 128mb ram from kahlon.com

i've also tried booting w/ just the on-board memory and i'm not able to do so

my thinkpad model is: 600x 2645-4EU

thanks...

JHEM · #10 Post by **JHEM** » Thu Apr 12, 2007 8:48 am

Change the CMOS battery and report back.

The 161, 163 and 173 errors are all commonly seen with a dead or dying CMOS battery and should clear up upon replacing same.

As to the memory problems, they should also clear up and you won't have to map out the onboard memory.

My Hangar Queen 2645-9FU maxes out at 576MB RAM with two 256MB sticks of PC100 RAM and the onboard 64MB.

It's not impossible for the onboard memory to go south on the 600X series, but let's address the easy repair steps first.

James

bbuzz230 · #11 Post by **bbuzz230** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 10:47 am

the new CMOS battery solved the problem of the on-board memory switching back on, but the on-board memory is still not working. I have 256mb on two sticks of 128 so it's running well enough now.

thanks...

cmarti · #12 Post by **cmarti** » Sun Apr 15, 2007 9:40 pm

bbuzz230 wrote:I have 256mb on two sticks of 128 so it's running well enough now.

thanks...

You can make it run smoother with 512MB of ram.

thinkpad 600x memory problem

thinkpad 600x memory problem

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