T61p memory question

[vital-analitix]

Just ordered a few days ago a T61p. Cannot have it custom build and it will come with two 1 Gb memory modules.

I gather that the problems were with certain boards and that they were resolved in the end (otherwise I would not have bought ) and that the problems only happened under certain conditions.

One of the prerequisites seems to have been both memory slots being used - if only one was used then the problem did not show up (or less often?).

I have a Z61m with a single 2 Gb memory module which will be "downgraded" to my "development / test" machine. At present it is running XP.

I have seldom seen more than 450 Mb in use on the Z61m.

The T61p will be running the same software (and XP).

I am thinking of loading Vista (have the upgrade CD for it) on the Z61m so that I can familiarize myself with it (so far I am not impressed).

I am too much out of touch with the developments in the IT field so am asking for input from the more knowledgeable members.

Should I:

a) just swap the memory - both machines 2 Gb and change the T61p to a single 2Gb memory module and the Z61m to two 1Gb memory modules (at the moment it is the other way round)

or

b) take 1 Gb out of the T61p and add it to the Z61m making it 3 Gb

or

c) leave everything as it is?


The reasoning leading to these questions are:

I perceive that there were less problems noted with one memory module.

This means that there - should - be a longer life expectancy / less chance of a failure when using a single memory stick rather than two. Or am I mistaken?

On the other hand using two same sized memory sticks will improve memory throughput ( according to Intel ) up to 8%.

Also the question needs to be asked if the Z61m will run Vista better with two 1 Gb memory modules or run better with 3 Gb?

Many thanks in advance

[runbuh]

I am relatively new to these forums, so I'm not sure what memory problems may exist for the T60/61 series. However, I can tell you that my T60, T61, and T61p all ran fine with 1GB in one slot, and ran fine when I upgraded them to 4GB (2GB in two slots). I tried to avoid memory problems by purchasing my memory in pairs (same chips from same batch in each slot).

My current T61p with 4GB mainly runs 32-bit XP Pro and Vista - yeah, I know, I'm not getting 4GB of usable memory, but someday I'll load up a 64-bit OS...

[vital-analitix]

Thanks for the reply. I know what you mean with having memory in pairs - I had two A31 and one would work fine with unequal memory and the other not. Once in the latter machine the memory modules were swapped around it worked fine (in the initial situation the machine would not boot).

However I believe that the bios has improved to the stage that unequal sized memory works fine and I am just trying to find the "best returns for the money spend".

At this stage my feelings are towards taking 1 memory module out of the T61p and adding it to the Z61m.

There was a problem with machines crashing when there were two memory modules and the GPU had a high workload (playing games) resulting in too low a volatge on the memory. When only one module was in there was just enough voltage to prevent this from happening. It went together with NVidia GPU's overheating. Took a long time to resolve, you'll find a long thread on the Lenovo community board on this subject.

Marinus

[Mark@Lenovo]

Vital-analitix,

Systems built after 3/20/08 should not exhibit the symptoms and even for those built prior, it was really a matter of tolerance - not every board developed the symptoms, and as you know, it was only when playing 3D games.

The symptoms were unrelated to heat. In the few cases I have seen where there was an overheat / shutdown issue with the GPU, it often wound up being caused by a misaligned heatsink / heatpipe.

If you are getting a new system, two 1 GB modules should work fine, along with 2+1, 1+2, or 2+2 combinations. The system was particular as to which slot you use when running a single memory module.

I would check the speed of your memory that you plan to install to ensure it matches.

Best reagards,

Mark

[vital-analitix]

Vital-analitix,

Systems built after 3/20/08 should not exhibit the symptoms and even for those built prior, it was really a matter of tolerance - not every board developed the symptoms, and as you know, it was only when playing 3D games.

The symptoms were unrelated to heat. In the few cases I have seen where there was an overheat / shutdown issue with the GPU, it often wound up being caused by a misaligned heatsink / heatpipe.

If you are getting a new system, two 1 GB modules should work fine, along with 2+1, 1+2, or 2+2 combinations. The system was particular as to which slot you use when running a single memory module.

I would check the speed of your memory that you plan to install to ensure it matches.

Best reagards,

Mark

Mark

Many thanks for this information, much appreciated. I have in my Z61m a single 2 Gb 800 Mhz memory module and was contemplating moving that accross.

Machine arrived today in New Zealand after being shipped from Shenzen on Sunday - extreemly fast. My daughter couriered last week something urgent to Australia - still took three dayas to arrive. However I ordered yesterday afternoon at 3:30 the XP downgrade media in Australia (NZ is being serviced from Australia) and much to my surpise it arrived this morning at 10:05.

You guys sure have the shipping in order. Actually it is much n line with my own philosophy that I had when emplyed: never promise the shortest possbile delivery date and it is always a pleasant surprise when it turns up earlier.

Sofar only one item that gave me a moment to pause: when opening the lid the Vista sticker said "Windows Vista Basic". a quick turning upside of the laptop and looking at the label told me it was Vista Ultimate. But it is no worry since I always take these lables off.

Presently using Acronis Home to clone the HDD to an external HDD and then I'll make the Vista recovery media before wiping the HDD and installing XPP.

I would have preferrred to have a Hitachi HDD in the machine since I can lower the acoustic output on the Hitachi using their feature tool. But the seagate has another advantage - one can download from the Seagate website their discwizard which is a limited version of Acronis. Works only when there is a Seagate HDD

The T61p sure looks a nice machine, only thing I need to get used to is that the screen is not centered as on other machines I have had.

Marinus

[Xantrus]

Was there ever any official remedy for the memory issue?

I ended up having to swap out my two factory 1Gb sticks for 2Gb stick to run World of Warcraft, I frequently get frame rates drop as low as 10fps and constantly have heat problems (even forcing sleep mode)

After paying the amount I did I hate the machine and would never buy another. Even went as far as to order a Dell Precision and relegated the Thinkpad to an internet browser for my wife.

T61p 15.4", 2.4Ghz processor, XP Professional - now a doorstop

[sktn77a]

Official remedy is to replace the motherboard with an updated part number. However, over the summer, people were sending theirs in for warranty replacement and getting......... the same part number motherboard!

Some very unhappy people over on the Lenovo forum!