Using el'cheapo RAM sticks in A20M

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p0rnflake · #1 Post by **p0rnflake** » Thu Oct 14, 2004 4:30 am

I'm looking for 2 x 256 MB sticks for my thinkpad a20m and was wondering if there's anychance that cheap PC100 (or even PC133) SODIMM's might work just aswell as the overly expensive IBM/Kingston/Crucial modules ??

Does anyone have any experiences with this ??

ashleys · #2 Post by **ashleys** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:30 am

IMHO *ALWAYS* use the correct RAM for the machine.
Problems caused by bad RAM are totally frustrating, always happen when you least want them and are avoidable, ie get the correct RAM in the first place.
Paying the extra is worth it.

p0rnflake · #3 Post by **p0rnflake** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 5:45 pm

ashleys wrote:IMHO *ALWAYS* use the correct RAM for the machine.
Problems caused by bad RAM are totally frustrating, always happen when you least want them and are avoidable, ie get the correct RAM in the first place.
Paying the extra is worth it.

Problem is that certified sticks cost more than twice as much as the cheaper ones... And I know others have had success using non-ibm/kingston/crucial ram sticks...

#4 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:29 pm

You might get away with cheap memory but it is a crapshoot.
It just doesn't make sense to buy the best laptop and put questionable memory in it. Flakey memory can make your computer act really strange.
If you want a spooky laptop just go buy an emachine.

p0rnflake · #5 Post by **p0rnflake** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 6:44 pm

OK let me refraise my question

Why buy the high prized Kingston certified PC100 SODIMM's if the generic Kingston PC100/PC133 SODIMMS might work just aswell.

IMHO it's not a question about quality but rather a question about the Thinkpads having special demands in regards to compatible memory.

I'm fortunate that there's a 14 money back guarantee on all online purchases here in Denmark - I just want to know which sticks will make most sense to try out first

#6 Post by **carbon_unit** » Fri Oct 15, 2004 9:47 pm

I think that as long as the memory is specified as being for your machine and it is name brand you should be OK.
I would stay away from "Super Talent" or other "No Name" Brands of memory.

p0rnflake · #7 Post by **p0rnflake** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 7:42 am

You dont understand the question - I want to buy memory that is NOT certified for use in IBM thinkpads.

ashleys · #8 Post by **ashleys** » Sat Oct 16, 2004 1:26 pm

If it's not certfified for use with TP's then I'd stay well clear if it.
The problem with the 14 day return situation is that the problems may not be apparent to start with.

My last problem with bad RAM (and it wasn't cheap generic stuff either) didn't show itself immediately. However, eventually enough clues led me to believe it was RAM.
Likely errors you'll get, which of course will be random (ie no errors for 3 weeks then 5 errors in one day) are as follows,

Application abends with xC5 code
BSOD (IRQ not equal or page fault in non paged area are popular)
Data corruption in files (this is caused when an error occurs in a page that is being used for I/O operations)
Driver errors
Unable to boot problems (remember some of heaviest memory access is during operating system startup)
The list goes on and on ...

If you're paying good money for the original hardware what's a bit more for the correct memory ?

jecoled · #9 Post by **jecoled** » Mon Oct 25, 2004 12:52 pm

Hi,

I've been away so I hope am not too late with post. Take my advice --don't buy cheapo RAM. It's just not worth the aggravation. I recently put two inexpensive 256 sticks in my A22e and it was hell. I finally returned these sticks to the vendor and purchased quality RAM. I hated spending this money on a 3 yr old Thinkpad, but the upgrade's been worthwhile now that the RAM is installed and working like it should.

Good Luck,

Jecoled

khamsin · #10 Post by **khamsin** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 11:37 am

Always use certified RAM. There is no percentage in using the cheap stuff if you really, really, really depend on your machine. The extra pleasure you get from certified RAM is usually not readily apparent (i.e. the machine does not crash, it simply works.) The price you pay for uncertified ram is often readily apparent (i.e. the machine crashes often needs reinstalls etc, etc, etc.)

I currently own and use an A30p for 2.5 years and, one of the first upgrades I purchased for it was two sticks of 512MB certified (Crucial) RAM. This memory has never let me down. The issues that I have are with other parts like, 1. the video card, 2. the video card, the 3. firewire port (yes this is the third time the mainboard needs replacement. The RAM works.

I dual boot between Linux and Windows 2000 on my machine and, though I am currently on my second main board and, soon, the third will be installed, the RAM from crucial has not let me down. I have never had to reinstall either OS that I use.

HTH

Khamsin

#11 Post by **carbon_unit** » Wed Oct 27, 2004 12:54 pm

With cheap ram you get headaches.
With good ram you never know what you are missing. (Headaches!)
I once sold a good computer because I thought it was acting wierd and that guy got a great deal on a Dual CPU mobo because of the cheap ram I had in it. (I kept the ram)
That was 3 years ago and it still runs great today. ...../me kicks himself.

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