A31 RAM, which modules does it use??

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A31 · #1 Post by **A31** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 3:46 pm

Hi all, I've just got a very quick question, which RAM modules does a Thinkpad A31 take? I know it is DDR SDRAM SODIMM but I wondered if there was anything in that "name" that I have missed?
Thanks!

qviri · #2 Post by **qviri** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 4:37 pm

The A31 uses 200 pin SODIMM DDR SDRAM. (Small outline dual inline memory module dual data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory, if you were wondering.) The default speed is DDR266 a.k.a. PC2100 a.k.a. 266 MHz. DDR333 a.k.a. PC2700 and DDR400 a.k.a PC3200 modules will also work, but will automatically downclock to 266 MHz and offer no performance advantage. DDR200 a.k.a. PC1600, if you can even find them, will work, but will cause some performance degradation.

Note that this is not DDR2, and DDR2 modules won't fit or work.

jronald · #3 Post by **jronald** » Thu Jan 21, 2010 8:54 pm

No performance advantage?
Well sort of.........
You can run a cheaper brand of memory, rated higher, in a slower machine. For example I run the cheapest thing I can find in my T30's and A31p's but at the higher speed. They both call for PC2100 I have found and run $22.00 PC2700 and PC3200 with no problems. But I have had issues with $35.00 PC2100. So if you find higher rated but cheaper, dont shy away from it, its probably fine.

Your mileage may very
Ron

A31 · #4 Post by **A31** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 2:17 am

qviri wrote:The A31 uses 200 pin SODIMM DDR SDRAM

Thanks, I am thinking of upgrading my RAM from 768MB to either 1.5GB or 2.0GB to give higher performance.

Also, will it run ok a PC2100 chip for PC2700 recommended? Because I can get a 1GB PC2100 chip for just £2!!

jronald · #5 Post by **jronald** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:49 pm

No, you can run higher rated memory in a lower requirement machine. Not the other way around.

Ron

qviri · #6 Post by **qviri** » Fri Jan 22, 2010 6:57 pm

A31 wrote:Also, will it run ok a PC2100 chip for PC2700 recommended? Because I can get a 1GB PC2100 chip for just £2!!

Yes, however the entire memory subsystem will run at PC2100 speeds.

Make sure that stick is good though. Best way is to run memtest for a couple of iterations with it (and only it) in a machine.

A31 · #7 Post by **A31** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 2:07 am

Actually, it is PC2700, it's just in the eBay title it states it's a PC2100 but in the description it says it's a PC2700...

But thanks for your help guys, and I hope I can get this module to upgrade my RAM from 768MB to 1.5GB!!

Paul Pennington · #8 Post by **Paul Pennington** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:28 pm

Only problem with your plan is that the A31 is limited to 1 GB of memory total, 2 512 MB modules.

ajkula66 · #9 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Jan 23, 2010 10:38 pm

Paul Pennington wrote:

Only problem with your plan is that the A31 is limited to 1 GB of memory total, 2 512 MB modules.

The above statement is incorrect. Any A31/p will take up to 2GB RAM, I've had such combinations on dozens of machines.

This information (still posted by IBM and many other sources) dates from the time these laptops were released, and the largest single DIMM was 512 MB.

A31 · #10 Post by **A31** » Sun Jan 24, 2010 1:21 pm

Paul Pennington wrote:Only problem with your plan is that the A31 is limited to 1 GB of memory total, 2 512 MB modules.

It can take up to 2x 1GB chips to create 2GB RAM... the only reason why the official IBM documents tell you it will only take 1GB RAM is because when it was new, back in 2002, 1GB DIMMs weren't available, only 512MB DIMMs, as ajkula66 said earlier.

Many A31 users on this forum use 1GB or 2GB RAM, though a BIOS upgrade may be needed.

I've bought the 1GB chip now! http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/1GB-PC2700-DDR-SO ... 414c53c15d

A31 · #11 Post by **A31** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:00 pm

Will a BIOS update be required to upgrade the RAM past 1GB? I saw that someone on here had said that when they had upgraded the RAM in their A31 to 2GB (I know I only want 1.5GB but the same idea) they needed to update BIOS to make it recognised... will I need to do the same in my A31?

#12 Post by **rkawakami** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:10 pm

I don't believe that it's necessary. Taking a quick scan through the BIOS update history for the A31 I see no mention of it:

http://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc ... uj14us.txt

In any case, just install your new 1GB module and see what happens. If the system does not recognize it (i.e., reports only the other module), then you might have to update the BIOS and Embedded Controller. Be sure to run something like memtest86+ on the new memory configuration so you know everything is working right before you actually start using the system.

A31 · #13 Post by **A31** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 1:33 pm

Thanks for your help! I love it how in the overview it says that the BIOS update "fixes some problems!" lol

None of them mention to support more RAM... so assume that a BIOS update is not needed. I'll do as you say and just insert it in and see if Vista recognises it.

Paul Pennington · #14 Post by **Paul Pennington** » Mon Jan 25, 2010 7:17 pm

Sorry about the bad information above. I used to know that

Axemonkey · #15 Post by **Axemonkey** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:27 pm

So Just to be sure...

This:

Kingston 1024MB 333MHz PC2700 DDR x2

Will work in my A31? I am about to order if its all good! Please let me know!

Thanks!
Rob

ajkula66 · #16 Post by **ajkula66** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:29 pm

As long as it's laptop and not desktop RAM, yes it will.

Axemonkey · #17 Post by **Axemonkey** » Sat Mar 20, 2010 9:36 pm

Good thing I asked.. I was on the desktop memory page!

Ill get this instead!

Kingston 1GB 333MHz PC2700 DDR SODIMM

Thanks for the fast reply!!
Rob

RWDPLZ · #18 Post by **RWDPLZ** » Mon Mar 22, 2010 4:29 pm

I have 2GB of RAM in my A31p, but it is running the latest BIOS and embedded controller. Used two Elpida 1GB 200-pin DDR PC2700, FRU # 31P9835.

Axemonkey · #19 Post by **Axemonkey** » Tue Apr 06, 2010 1:48 am

My A31 is now 100% stable running 2x Corsair ValueSelect PC2700 DDR1 333Mhz 200 pin 1GB SODIMMs.

No BIOS Update, no nothing. Plug and play. System Properties show the system is running 2GB RAM.

The guy at the store I was ordering from actually refused to sell it to me at first when I told him what I was putting it in, as his sources all told him it would be incompatible. I had to phone and persuade him that I would not try to get a refund or exchange if it didn't work, only to order the RAM he had recommended.

My A31 now running better than ever.. going to look for a thread about A31's and Windows 7 now...

Thanks guys or all your very helpful info!

Cheers
Rob

A31 RAM, which modules does it use??

A31 RAM, which modules does it use??

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