T30 2366 41u Just another Memory Problem

[wrlhamon]

Been trying to boot using JUST 1 (one) stick of 256mb of ram in this T30. I have 4 stickes of 256mb and before I go out and buy any more(like an 512mb or better) I'll like to know will this T30 BOOT with only 256MB of ram? I been reading about 1 slot being bad on these laptops and and I have 1-3-3-1 beeps with no memory installed, but with just 1 stick of 256MB installed no beeps. NO Boot. When 1st starting I get the 4 little lights and then just the one on the right stays on. I've swithed CPU's and Taken the HD out and re-formatted it. I was hoping this was an memory slot problem and not an MB problem. You see I just purchase this t30 off ebay and the seller was selling it AS IS- and did say he was having problems with it shutting down-but for the last couple days it was running fine. I was thinking can't be much of an problem if only sometimes it shuts down. 1st time owning and thinkpad and never read about the memory problem until after finding out it won't boot into the BIOS. LIKE I ask "Will the t30 boot with only 1 stick of 256MB of ram or not?" IF the answer is YES- THEN looks like I NEED an another MB. OF all the people reading this and NO ONE has asnwered ME!!!! What GIVES?

[RealBlackStuff]

Welcome to our TP forums.

Please realize that this forum is entirely run by volunteers, so patience is sometimes required...

To answer your question, yes, it should boot with one stick of RAM.
If the RAM contacts look yellowish rather than goldish, use an eraser to clean those contacts. Blow off the eraser debris before inserting the RAM. If I remember correct, the slot nearest the front of the TP should always work. The other does not always. There are plenty posts about that T30 RAM in this forum (use Search).
The T30 can run with 2 sticks of 1GB if all is OK, with only 1 slot you can still run on 1GB which should be more than sufficient.

There are also other posts about fixing a T30.

[wrlhamon]

Thanks for the reply--I've been reading & searching here on the forum-(by the way-great forum for thinkpads-etc) now for quite a few HOURS....last few days. I kinda thought it was suppose to boot w/256MB ram, but just wasn't sure. Now I know. MUST be an bad MB (other than memory slot) Would you happen to know if the people over @hammerheadtech.com also repair MB's (other than just during the memory slot thing)? I'll email them I guess and ASK. (Best way wouldn't you said!!)

[RealBlackStuff]

I'm not familiar wih hammerhead, but these days people don't repair, they just replace.
If you download the T30 Hardware Manual here:
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... MIGR-42308
you'll find it all very clearly described how to swap the mobo out for a new/used one. Can be done within one hour.
Mobo on Ebay anywhere between $50-150. Make sure you get the same type mobo.

Follow this link (and change the Product model/type) to find out more about your specific T30:
http://tinyurl.com/36k7xq

[wrlhamon]

If you do an search for this on ebay(270165105219) you'll see that the memory slot is being repaired for an Price....I email them and they stated they also repair the MB, of course for an Price slightly higher. So you can send in your laptop for repair for about a little more than you can buy an board that you know nothinbg about!! I've BROUGHT to many board off ebay that were no better then the one I already had...AND that's no joke. Waiting for the board to be shipped and all, then installing it only to find out it's also bad. AFTER I get mine Back(I haven't even sent it off yet) I'll re-post and let everyone know what the real deal is....

[RealBlackStuff]

Before you start spending big bucks, try the cardboard trick to make the second slot working.
Try a piece of cardboard (in different thicknesses) between the memory-stick in the non-working slot and the memory lid.
It may work once you find the right thickness, saving you big-time!

[Davemci]

On my t30 it is the front slot that is bad. A q-tip stick worked perfectly to fix it. Just seems to apply enough pressure between the cover and the RAM. It has been 5 months and no RAM problems.

[wrlhamon]

I must have an T30 with both memory slots bad!!!! (Know for an fact both memory stickes are good). I got and piece of cardboard to work on the slot closest to the middle of the PC. Thanks for reminding to me to try diff. thickness of cardboard. I NOW have an working PC with 256MB of memory... Tried same thickness on other slot but nothing yet. going keep on trying until I know weather the cardborad trick will work or not on that slot, before I go out and buy and stick of 512 or higher. Just wanted to say THANKS for all the help.......THANKS!!!!

[rlknapp1]

I had tried the pieces of paper in the slots and worked fine for a while, then started having issues. The memory slot was starting to fail again and again, and I got tired of having to take the memory chips out and replace them. (seemed to get it to work until I rebooted again)

I read in another thread about Hammerhead Tech, and contacted him to find out what it cost. Then last week I just "bit the bullet" and I just had mine fixed.

The cost was $65 to have it fixed and shipped back. I spent another $35 here locally for a padded box and cost to ship it via ground to him.

It arrived today and both slots now realize each of the 512MB chips installed, and works like a champ.

I highly recommend these guys ...

Darrell Pierro
Hammerhead Technology, Inc.
1406 Locust Street
Chico, California 95928
800-951-9868
530-896-0490
Fax 530-896-0493
www.hammerheadtech.com

The repair comes with a 90 day warranty.

Someone asked if anyone had tried this, so thought I would report good results here for all of you having problems. Seems cheaper than the $165 to IBM/Lenovo.

Hope this helps you too.