T30 - one working memory slot - 2 RAM modules

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printf · #1 Post by **printf** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 7:53 am

hello everyone.
i have a T30 which was bought a year ago, it server (and serves) me very well (has a lod fan, but it doesnt really bother me), so i thought i will upgrade its 512 RAM to 1 GB.

i bought an 512 MB module from ebay, its made by IBM, PC2100 266MHz, CL 2.5V.

my thinkpad originally came with an Infineon 512 MB PC2100, 266MHz,CL 2

-if i put both in, bios says i have only 512 RAM.
-i remove the Infineon, keeping the IBM in the previously unused slot, after starting the machine, i get a series of beeps - perhaps one of my memory slot is wasted, i am aware of this problem of the T30 series - and it doesnt start.
-putting the IBM module into the previously working slot everything works.

now my question is which one should i keep, taking into consideration the speed of the modules and the heat they could possibly produce - they are on different voltages (i think the CL means that)?

thank you

#2 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 10:54 am

The voltage for both is the same. CL stands for CAS Latency.
Both modules work in the slot that is OK, so the other slot needs resoldering.
You can also put in a 1GB module if you are not handy with a soldering iron.

You can keep either module, the T30 is not picky, and don't worry about any heat issues.

printf · #3 Post by **printf** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 11:23 am

thanks for the reply

i was thinking about resoldering, but my question is then what type of soldering iron should i use and are all the pins that need soldering found on the inner side of the U shaped plastic socket (are they easily visible or there are some hidden too).

is fixing it hard - considering one has the proper tools - i am familiar with soldering but always used one on a much higher scale.

previously my thinkpad had a 20 GB Fujitsu, i changed that to a WD Scropion.
ive read that WD didnt had until now alot of notebook hdd's, so how does one perform in a thinkpad, heat-wise (btw i have a 80 GB).

thank you

#4 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Fri Oct 31, 2008 1:17 pm

See here
http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... emory_slot
and here
http://www.omskakas.se/2007/07/thinkpad ... ilure.html

poshgeordie · #5 Post by **poshgeordie** » Sat Nov 01, 2008 3:11 pm

As RBS has said the easiest solution is to fit a single 2100 or 2700 iGb memory module into the working slot and sell the 512 to help pay for the module.

Resoldering is actually very easy. get a 25W soldering iron with a broadish - probably the one it comes with - and some liquid flux to help things - try this from Farnell which you can order from Hungary:

flux pen

Flux really helps in making the soldering heat transmit to the memory slot pins.

I've lost count of the number of T30 memory slots I've resoldered, and find that generally it's the first 5 - 10 pins at the front outside corner of the front slot which become unsoldered.
However it only takes a couple of minutes more to do all of the pins on both sides....

Method:
Let the soldering iron heat up for 10 minutes.
Clean the tip so it's silver shiny. Use a wet sponge or preferably a dry brass tip cleaner

Apply some flux along 10 - 12 pins at a time.
Gently press the soldering iron tip against the ends of a couple of memory pins at a time for around 5 seconds. What you want to do is to apply the soldering iron tip to both the end of the slot pins and the solder pads on the circuit board at the same time.

Almost immediately the flux will smoke and a couple of seconds later the solder on the memory pins will have melted.
Lift the soldering iron off, move to the next pair and repeat the process.

DONT add any solder - you could end up with solder all over the place!

printf · #6 Post by **printf** » Mon Nov 03, 2008 11:27 am

thanks for the info.
i rather resolder it because going around with a non-working memory slot isnt good, one can never know when the other fails.

badtz · #7 Post by **badtz** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 2:54 pm

I got a T30 to replace a r51 that got stolen and while looking up info on the laptop found this forum, great info in general here and this thread in particular was very helpful. The laptop I have came with 256mb of memory and Im ordering a 1gb sodimm (once I save up some bucks Im probably going to grab a T60 or the newer lenovo model with the screen that can be calibrated, Im also a photography dabbler) and a larger HD.

My question is; is there a particular slot that goes bad? I dont know if the motherboard was swapped out on this machine and the person who I got it from got it from a company that got rid of a bunch of machines so I have no real way of finding out that I can tell. If both slots work so be it, but if one goes bad Id like to populate it with the 256 chip.

Thanks!

poshgeordie · #8 Post by **poshgeordie** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:14 pm

Welcome to the forums and the world of Thinkpads!

Generally speaking it's the front slot with the pin soldering problem.

Out of countless T30 memory slots I've repaired, I've only had two with an inside slot problem, and one with both slots faulty though I guess this is very rare thank goodness!

badtz · #9 Post by **badtz** » Thu Nov 20, 2008 3:22 pm

poshgeordie wrote:Welcome to the forums and the world of Thinkpads!

Generally speaking it's the front slot with the pin soldering problem.

Out of countless T30 memory slots I've repaired, I've only had two with an inside slot problem, and one with both slots faulty though I guess this is very rare thank goodness!

I love me some thinkpads. I've owned 4 now and feel actual pain when I try to use a laptop without trackpoint. Ok not really but anyone who loves the 'nipple' knows what I mean I think.

When you say front slot Im assuming you mean from a working position close the top and flip the laptop over to the left or right? If so thats exactly what I was wondering and I thank you for the response.

badtz · #10 Post by **badtz** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 7:11 am

Finally got my memory and HD delivered, the drive cloned and the ram installed. So much of a difference for this little guy. The old HD was so slow and noisy compared to the new drive, and anyone who knows what a gig as opposed to 256mb of memory knows how big a difference that can make with XP. I've only got 1 working memory slot (until I get my hands on a soldering iron) but for now I am very happy with my ~$200 laptop. So thanks again with the very useful infos I from various posts and keep it up!

#11 Post by **RealBlackStuff** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 10:15 am

You can pick up soldering irons at Radio Shack.
I also saw a woodworking set, with different exchangeable tips, at Do-It-Best. It includes a nice flat tip, for re-soldering several contacts at the same time.

robert213 · #12 Post by **robert213** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 10:16 am

http://forums.lenovo.com/lnv/board/mess ... e.id=23795

Common problem on T30 machines (including one in my signature) is one bad RAM slot.

You can throw a 1GB DIMM in the good slot, though.

Google for company called hammerhead technologies, they repair this problem...

And then you'll be able to enjoy 2GB in that T30.

http://www.omskakas.se/2007/07/thinkpad ... ilure.html

JamesPosted Monday, November 3, 2008 at 01:26 | PermalinkI had the memory slot problem. Sent it to Hammerhead Technology. They fixed it and I couldn’t be happier. Hammerhead has all the expensive flow soldering technology to fix the problem the properly and have done the procedure many many times. The price is right too.

badtz · #13 Post by **badtz** » Sun Dec 07, 2008 11:40 am

RealBlackStuff wrote:You can pick up soldering irons at Radio Shack.
I also saw a woodworking set, with different exchangeable tips, at Do-It-Best. It includes a nice flat tip, for re-soldering several contacts at the same time.

I know, I just need to hop on the train and go get one, but Im in winter hibernation mode and spending about 90% of my waking time at a new job. A month or 3 wont hurt, and if all goes well by then I'll have a T60/61/62 and this will become my media center on the cheap machine. Another gig of ram wouldn't be a bad thing though...

@robert213 I'm lazy but not THAT lazy. It would probably cost me as much as the laptop cost to get it fixed, at least I could reuse soldering irons! (not to disparage hammerheads work mind you).

ronbo613 · #14 Post by **ronbo613** » Fri Dec 26, 2008 12:02 am

Hello-It's been awhile since I've checked in, still have the T30, had the memory slot problem.
I work building and rebuilding aircraft electronics. We use a technique called "hot air reflow". I wonder if it would solve these memory slot issues.
Just a thought........

Happy Holidays

Ron B

chris1952 · #15 Post by **chris1952** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 8:57 am

I have 3 T30's and 2 of them had the second slot fault until yesterday. I do quite a lot of work replacing micros and use a hot air soldering station most of the time.

I found that after carefully fluxing the pins and the motherboard, the hot air with a small nozzle was excellent to reflow the solder. I dont think I'd like to attempt it with a soldering iron !

Chris

poshgeordie · #16 Post by **poshgeordie** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 4:51 pm

Hi Chris and welcome to the forums.

Hot air is a great way of resoldering the memory slot pins; as I've said above I use a 25W soldering iron and it does take care to resolder the pins.
However using plenty of flux actually keeps the solder in the right place and stops the pins from being soldered to one another.
I wouldn't recommend it to someone who's not confident with using an iron, but I've done more than I can remember with 100% success rate.

BTW can I borrow your hot air iron....!

T30 - one working memory slot - 2 RAM modules

T30 - one working memory slot - 2 RAM modules

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