Upgrading to single 1GB DIMM???

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robert213 · #1 Post by **robert213** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 10:07 am

After attempting to answer questions at...

[T30 memory slot research] thread
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?p=351898

I either fried my original DIMM in the front slot
or I sped up the process of creating the front memory slot problem.

I powered-off my machine and unplugged AC adapter cable, but I neglected to remove battery.

Regardless, I am no longer able to boot my machine with original DIMM in the front memory slot (original location). I am down to 256K RAM.

I would like to install new Kingston 1GB DIMM in remaining memory slot as mentioned in...
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=34718

Question #1
My IBM BIOS version is 2.06 (1IET67WW) at 2003-07-17.

Do I need to upgrade to newer version of BIOS?

Question #2
Also, I am planning to purchase Kingston PC2700 KTM-TP9828/1GB. In addition to going from 512KB to 1GB, will I see performance improvement going from PC2100 to PC2700?

Question #3

Kingston makes...
PC2100 KTM-TP0028/1GB
and
PC2700 KTM-TP9828/1GB

Since our T30(s) originally used PC2100 memory, wouldn't it be better to purchase KTM-TP0028/1GB?

Question #4
Besides Kingston, what other manufacturers make 1GB DIMM that work in our T30(s)?

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:27 pm

PC2700 also works in a T30, but they will run as PC2100. So no speed gain.
You can buy them on eBay (look for 1gb /pc2100 (or pc2700) sodimm) cheaper than from most factories direct.

There are a number of RAM companies that carry these sodimms: Kingston, Crucial, Vdata, PNY, Elpida, you name them.
I bought my 2x 1GB Samsung RAM on eBay.

Your BIOS is fine as it is, but there is also a newer 2.10 if you want.

Six_Shooter · #3 Post by **Six_Shooter** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 4:42 pm

So using even a matched pair of PC2700 or PC3200 (I think that's it) it will still run as PC2100? I thought that it was when you have two RAM modules that were different speeds, it would run as the slower speed over all.

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Nov 01, 2007 8:45 pm

With 2 different speeds, RAM will run at the speed of the slowest stick.
In the T30 case, no matter what you put in, it will run at PC2100 speed.
I don't think a PC3200 stick will work in a T30.

Six_Shooter · #5 Post by **Six_Shooter** » Tue Nov 06, 2007 9:42 pm

Well since PC3200 is more easily available than PC2700 or PC2100 around here, I've been dooing some research tonight and found this:

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts. ... )&tabid=am

ANywhere this can be verified, before buying it? The one place that had it, has a 15% restocking fee.

ajkula66 · #6 Post by **ajkula66** » Thu Nov 08, 2007 1:01 am

PC3200 RAM will not work in T30. Period.

AEN007 · #7 Post by **AEN007** » Wed Mar 19, 2008 9:47 pm

20March2008

Greetings.
I see from this thread that PNY makes
a 1gb RAM module that should work in a T30.
I want to have my failed 2nd memory slot repaired AND
also source a 1gb T30 RAM module.
MindFactory.de has a PNY 1gb RAM module »

mindfactory.de link

This RAM module seems to meet all required specs
except that the specs do not explicitly say CL2.5.
I of course will ask MF.de to confirm the CL,
but I also am now making this post in hopes
that I might receive some valuable feedback here.
Maybe some others also might want to source
this PNY 1gb RAM module.

If I source a 1 gb RAM module together
with a UltraBay2000 HDD from MF.de
I would qualify to have MF.de waive all shipping costs
by placing the order (more than €uro100)
between 00:00 & 06:00 according to MF.de customer service.

Any insights appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
AEN
Æ

Moderator edit: Shortened URL to prevent horizontal scrolling

m509272 · #8 Post by **m509272** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:29 pm

I have three T30s with memory slot problems. All have a 1GB PC2700 Crucial module in the good slot without any issues.

ArtShapiro · #9 Post by **ArtShapiro** » Thu Mar 20, 2008 12:49 pm

I think eBay is your friend here.

I've fairly recently snagged actual IBM SODIMMs at a real nice price with just a handful of days of sniping. But any good brand-name product should be fine in your T30. I'm a fan of Samsung and Infineon for no particular reason.

A T30 with 1 Gig runs quite well.

Art

Peter_Peril · #10 Post by **Peter_Peril** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:22 pm

Hello to all members of the forum. This is my first post since lurking a day or two ago. I recently took the plunge and scored a decent T30. It is mainly for my insurance business, but I want it run as fast and effectively as possible.

I have heard some amazing claims from some of you. Amazing CPU, Memory upgrades, etc. and I'm quessing that the official prohibitions on such things don't mean jack to to you folks

Cool! I'm in good company. My questions:

Can my T30 really run with 2 GB of ram?
Can I upgrade my P4-M 1.8Ghz to 2.2 Ghz?
I lost the rubber tip to my Smart Point is this a problem to replace?

Thanks in advance for your help with this noob's first steps. I'm looking forward to making a contribution when I become more seasoned.

Website · #11 Post by **tfflivemb2** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 4:51 pm

Peter_Peril wrote:Can my T30 really run with 2 GB of ram?
Can I upgrade my P4-M 1.8Ghz to 2.2 Ghz?
I lost the rubber tip to my Smart Point is this a problem to replace?

Thanks in advance for your help with this noob's first steps. I'm looking forward to making a contribution when I become more seasoned.

Welcome to the forum!!

1. Yes, if your T30 doesn't have a dead ram slot, it will accept 2 x 1gb ram sticks.
2. Yes, it can take a 2.2GHz CPU.
3. Not sure what a smart point is, unless you mean the read trackpoint. If it is the trackpoint, they are available all over eBay.

#12 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 7:25 pm

To clarify on item 2):
if you put in a faster CPU, 2.2, 2.4, (or even a rare 2.5 or 2.6GHz), you'll need the better CPU cooler/fan unit, P/N 91P8908.
Without that, you'll fry your CPU.

But careful! Not all T30s can be upgraded that way.
Give us the exact TYPE 2366-xxx number of your new unit, before you do anything drastic.

Peter_Peril · #13 Post by **Peter_Peril** » Thu Apr 03, 2008 9:15 pm

RealBlackStuff wrote:To clarify on item 2):
But careful! Not all T30s can be upgraded that way.
Give us the exact TYPE 2366-xxx number of your new unit, before you do anything drastic.

Oops; okay I've updated my sig to reflect my T30's model number (2366-8IU).

#14 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Apr 04, 2008 7:25 am

See also this post with all the Intel CPU numbers
http://forum.thinkpads.com/viewtopic.php?t=59832

With the above mentioned fan 91P8908 you should be OK.

AEN007 · #15 Post by **AEN007** » Thu Apr 24, 2008 11:55 am

24April2008

Greetings.
Just to update on my previous posting -
MindFactory (MF) no longer supplies the RAM module
in question, which is just as well because
the module was DDR2. Being a new T30 owner,
I was not aware of all the specs for T30 RAM.

It seems the specs are -
DDR (aka DDR1) NOT DDR2;
PC2100 266mhz or PC2700 333mhz
(See the Lenovo page
http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... 41751.html)
regarding using PC2700 in a T30.
The T30 runs the PC2700 @ 266mhz.);
200pin SO-DIMM;
CL2.5;
SDRAM;
unbuffered;

I sourced a 1gb RAM module manufactured by MDT.
The T30 runs noticeably better with 1gb instead of 512mb.
Until I find someone/where to repair
my failed 2nd memory slot, I have a superfluous
512mb RAM module.

Maybe this posting will help other new owners
with sourcing extra RAM.
Anyone have any more specs to add to the above?

Regards,
AEN
Æ

AEN007 · #16 Post by **AEN007** » Thu May 22, 2008 10:20 am

22May2008

Greetings.
An unanswered question remains
after sourcing my T30 1gb RAM »
what are the T30 "RAM timings" specs?
Some RAM modules give "Timings" specs;
e.g., - Speichertimings: 2.5-3-3-7 or
Speichertimings: 2,5-3-3 .
Most RAM modules go not give "Timings" specs.

In any case what "Timing" specs work with the T30?

Any insights appreciated.
Thank you.
Regards,
AEN
Æ

Peter_Peril · #17 Post by **Peter_Peril** » Thu May 22, 2008 12:13 pm

It's true Classic Thinkpads, especially the T30 doesn't account for timings other than CAS latencies 2.5-3; and even these aren't user selectable. Some of the new "Gaming Laptops" have Bios' that allow you some latitude with memory; but these are unique trees in the notebook forest. Having said that you can be certain that your system will perform optimally with larger capacity memory... irregardless of timings. Performance can be further enhanced with a speedier hard drive with some thought given to the paging file i.e, virtual memory.