another laptop freeze problem R51 and RAM

[grm]

R51 freezes when I add 1 gig Kingston SODIMM to the existing 256. But it seems to work OK if installed alone with one empty slot. This seems to be a known issue as on another thread they say many models have ram problems causing freezes

Lenovo dealer recommended this brand. Now it appears to be incompatible. Does any one know a simple cheap solution without buying another 1 GIG and taking another gamble? I want a total of at least 1.250 preferably 1.5 gigs

[GomJabbar]

Open it up; take out the 256k stick and replace it with the 1gb stick.

You might be able to buy another stick of Kingston RAM and use it with that 1gb stick.

Use the following manual to see how to get to the internal RAM.
Hardware Maintenance Manual (July 2005) - ThinkPad R50/p, R51

[grm]

Thanks for the reply. Perhaps I did not make my post very clear.

What the problem is is this:

the 1 gig does work- but only if installed in the INNER slot and with the outer slot empty because the the new Kingston that Lenovo dealer recommended me to buy ( the "brands dont need to be the same, just the type and speed') is not compatible with either one of the two x 256 SODIMMS that were in the original config, which are not Kingstons.

So instead of 1.25 or whatever I only have 1.0 gig.

and I don't want to take a gamble if I buy another stick that may not be compatible.

So my question should really be:
does anyone know about the compatibilty issue what works together with what.

I have read many posts here on different threads about this problem. All seem to state and restate the problem in different ways, but none offer the solution.
Also the Lenovo rep acknowledged to me that they are aware of incompatibility between some Rams causing freeze up.
(but I knew that!)

[grm]

AND....... it seems to work in either inner or outer slot. But only if the other outer or inner slot is empty. I have tried it both ways and both ways cause a freeze up
(On gig in the inner, 256 in the outer,---and one gig in the outer and 256 in the inner. )

So if I want 1.5 gig I am wondering if to take a gamble and possibly waste my money, since Lenovo alrady gave me the wrong info once.
I wonder if any one with a R51 can tell me :
Is a half gig from Kinston compatible with 1 gig from Kingston, has anyone out there tried it? Does a 1 gig and a 1 gig work together,
do the two slots have to have Rams of different speeds ( they dont work with the same speeds....)etc etc?

[GomJabbar]

If you buy another identical stick of RAM from Kingston, that would be the safest way to go.

The only other thing really; is trial and error.

EDIT: Personally, I do not think that 256k stick is worth the headache. Just run 1gb or 2gb.

[pianowizard]

EDIT: Personally, I do not think that 256k stick is worth the headache.

Totally agree. A 256MB PC2700 stick is not even worth $10US and the performance difference 1.25GB and 1GB is minimal.

[grm]

Thanks Gomjabbar

Now, I have another one which I have been looking for the answer to on the forums. Like plenty of others I no longer have the original Hidden Partition.
I would really like to buy the CDs
I have found the part number, but cannot buy anywhere

I called Lenovo in USA they told me to try the Thailand rep where I am.( I am in Thailand but they can't help me here- no English speaking staff in that department - I suspect they wouldn't stock these anyway, can't imagine there would be any demand here.)
When i bought the R51 a few years ago, I went to the Ibm factory here in Bangkok when I upgarded a HDD and they reinstalled the lot on the new drive - now they refer me to Lenovo
Can the discs be bought in the USA from an independant source, do you know?

I got the P/n from the maint manual

[grm]

Pianowizard

Duh,, I feel very stupid now ---didn't know that ram was so cheap! In fact I didn't bother to check prices in States or anywhere, just paid over 100 dollars for the Kingston 1 gig, i assumed that a half gig would be fifty or so Dollars.

Thanks, anyways, for the tips. Did you see my other question? I need the XP PRO CDs since I no longer have the Hidden Partition ( actually I have it but I mast have corrupted it with Drive Image 5.0 a few years ago when I migrated it to another HDD! (Duhh)