Memory's effect on T30s

[newyorkpaulie]

Will there be a significant increase in performance of a T30 if it's upgraded from 1 to 2 MBs?

[jronald]

I think you mean gig
Depends on the OS
Depends on the overall load
Depends on the programs running

I have found the sweet spot for the things I do between 1.25 and 1.5
2 gig does not a make mine run any faster

My opinoin
Ron

[emeraldgirl08]

Less Hard Disk activity. Able to have multiple open programs running. Less stress on your Hard Drive.

I started out on my T30 with 256mb of 2100 DDR. lol.

It was bad!

Do yourself a favor and order DDR 2700 CL 2.5's. 1 gb should be good. If you're a multi-tasker like me then this would be favorable. I had 768 mb before getting an extra stick of 512 mb.

The increase from 256 to 768 was very noticeable!

At 1 gb now I can pretty much run things smoother without worrying about running low on RAM

[uberT]

I noticed a worthwhile improvement going from 1.0 to 1.5GB of RAM. However, one of my slots is marginal and kept dropping out, so I'm back to just 1GB of RAM.

The problematic slot is a widespread problem with T30 units.

[emeraldgirl08]

What can maybe help is to check if your memory slot cover is raised. I didn't notice this on mine until I was surfing and finding things about the memory problems. The cover originally was a flat cover. The raised cover has a slight rise on it to prevent pressure from the cover on the RAM. Oh and never ever pick up your lappy by one hand on the corners!

Mine is stationary tho. I don't take it out and move it around much. I also have both a raised cover and both memory slots work so I'm lucky...

*knocks on wood*



Edit:

Whoops I didn't notice this last night. You already have a gig of RAM? In that case I wouldn't know about going higher than 1 gb. Not to sure about adding any more to mine at this point. I'm seeking a more current second laptop for myself.

[cparker]

I just put in 2gb on my t30. Way better than 512mb!

[ajkula66]

If you're running XP or a newer Linux distro, 1GB is minimum IMHO.

With W2K you can get away with less than that.

The last T30 that I had with both working slots had 2GB and a 7200rpm drive and felt pretty fast to say the very least...unless I was doing something graphically intensive, but that's a whole another issue...

[fuzzmaster]

2GB? Do T30s take that much RAM? I was told at:

http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site. ... -58227#mem

that the max was 1GB, which is what I'm at. Would love to add more if it's possible.

It also says to use PC2100, can PC2700 RAM be used as well???

Thanks.

[cparker]

Yes and yes. It will take 2 one gb modules of pc2700 ram. Mine did. Works fine.

[uberT]

Will the T30 handle a 2GB strip?

My secondary slot is pretty much dead, most of the time it doesn't work. So, to get beyond 1GB in the good slot I'd have to find a single 2GB strip. Does such a design exist that will work in the T30?

Thx.

[cparker]

I'm pretty sure that the maximum ram per slot is 1gb. Actually 1gb will work very well on xp. The difference between 512mb and 1gb is major for xp. Between 1gb and 2gb it's a much smaller performance improvement and might not even matter if you aren't running many applications/browser windows at the same time. I'm still running 1gb on one of the xp desktops at my location and it runs perfectly fine, even with pretty heavy use. But, then, it's a desktop with a pretty fast 7200rpm hard drive. I wasn't going to bother upgrading the ram, but now I've ordered 2 one gb modules for it because some relative has a Dell with only 512 that's slow as molasses and she's been complaining, and I can give her the two 512 modules from my machine, put it in her's, install the 2 gigs in mine, and nothing goes to waste.

That said, I've seen many postings here on how to fix the bad memory slot. I haven't needed to do it on my t30 but maybe others here who know more about it could point you to what to do.

[uberT]

Yeah, that's what I was afraid of. Perhaps it's a limitation linked to the BIOS. I've already got 1GB in the good slot. I wish I could up that or get the other slot working again without spending $$$.

Thanks for the reply.

[cparker]

I've seen a number of threads/posts on the memory slot problem and how to fix it yourself. You might try searching or just posting a new thread on how to fix it. From my memory it will require a bit of soldering to do it right or maybe some folded paper to do a temporary fix that might work for a while.

[newyorkpaulie]

Well, here's a good one! I had just gotten a T30 (ebaY) and the lower slot was not recognizing the stick. I put some padding on top of it and refastened the lid and lo & behold it worked. Please... someone else try this and let me know if you have success. Talk about an easy fix.... just hope it keeps on working. The pad may have to be replaced with something that will keep its integrity... right now it's just folded tissue.
One thing, I placed the pad so the pressure is mostly on the edge of the stick opposite the pins. This (I guess) is causing leverage to press the pins up against the contacts.

[uberT]

I've tried the folded paper trick and some soft foam insulation. It seems to work for a while but then loses its connectivity. I believe the real fix requires some specialized soldering equipment the average guy won't find sitting on his work bench.

[RealBlackStuff]

All you need is a 25-30W soldering iron with a very fine tip (file a spare tip down if you need to). Available in e.g. Radio Shack.
And more important, use proper flux: http://cgi.ebay.com/Chemtronics-CW8100- ... 0366654494
Cheaper (with picture) as well: http://www.pemro.com/itemdesc.asp?ic=CHM-1040&eq=&Tp=

[cparker]

Would you need to use solder in addition to the flux, or do you just need the flux to apply as you reheat the connections and the solder should reflow?

I don't need to do this since my T30 doesn't have the problem, but I just was wondering. I take it that the flux is similar to the flux that's in "rosin core" solder, or is it different?

Also think it's a good idea to fix the slot. Having 2gb of ram is worthwhile, at least it's been so for me.

Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

You don't use any extra solder for this. The flux is a heat conductor that just helps reflowing the existing solder.
The one I recommend, is like a felt pen with a wide tip. When you press it down on the contacts, the right amount of flux comes out

[cparker]

Thanks! Elegant way of dealing with the problem.

[thinkpadinside]

i believe if you upgrade from 1mb to 2mb, you get double power!

[uberT]

Guys, did anyone ever do a write-up on this fix? I'd love to implement on my machine and get that slot working again. I don't have any idea how much is involved to gain access to the critical soldering area.

Thanks.

[RealBlackStuff]

All you need to do is remove the RAM door and RAM module(s) to have full access for soldering.
As to HOW to do it, read this: http://www.omskakas.se/2007/07/thinkpad ... ilure.html

[pmx]

also read here http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/Problem_w ... emory_slot

[uberT]

Thanks, guys. I did this yesterday. Would have done it long ago if I had known how simple it was.

Both strips have been powered every time I've booted up since yesterday. That's a good sign. I'll wait another week to make a final judgement on it

[cparker]

Did you do the solder fix yourself? Any details on your experience would be appreciated.

Thanks, and congratulations!

[uberT]

I spoke too soon. It's not fixed. I'm going to get either a new tip for the iron or get a new iron to take care of this.

[uberT]

I can't find tips for my older Weller iron so I bought a new 25W Weller for $17.xx. I've re-flowed and it took this time (fingers crossed). I've taken pictures if y'all want me to post them.

Thx.

[cparker]

Pictures would be great. Let us know how it turned out.

[uberT]

>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[RealBlackStuff]

Stick them on e.g. Photobucket and the likes, and just publish the links here, no permission needed for that.