X32 limited to 1GB only?

[ChipsAndSolder]

My 2.0 GHz X32 has run reliably with two 512MB RAM sticks for years. I wanted to upgrade to 2GB as the specs claim but when I put in two 1GB sticks it never boots up, just a black screen is all I get.

If I run one of the 1 GB sticks only, it boots fine. No other combination of 512MB/1GB sticks over 1GB total will work. It seems its only really happy with 1GB and no more.

Is there something I need to do to get the x32 to boot when more than 1GB of RAM is present?

Thanks

[Tasurinchi]

I used to have an X31 with 2GB that worked with no problems. Did you try the 1GB stick in both RAM slots? Which machine type and BIOS version you have?

[ChipsAndSolder]

I checked the BIOS and the version is 3.02 (1QET97WW) with a date of 2005-09-22.

I should have mentioned that the laptop is type 2672-KBU.

I tried a single 1GB stick in one of the slots with the other empty and it worked fine but, when I tried the same stick in the other slot with the first slot empty it did not work. I wasn't sure if single sticks must always go in the first slot or not.

[Tasurinchi]

3.02 is the latest BIOS according to the Lenovo Site. Did you try alternating each 1GB stick in different slots?

If 2x 512MB was working right we can dismiss a RAM slot issue. Maybe one of the sticks is defective? Which RAM did you buy?

Otherwise you could try booting with 1GB, go to the BIOS, load the BIOS defaults values, save, put both 1GB sticks again and see what happens.

[jdrou]

Might also help to post exactly what kind of memory you are trying (brand, model number, speed, etc.).
I also have no problem using 1.5 or 2 GB in my X31.

[ParatoOptimal]

1.25GB flies well in my X31.

[topmahof]

i have 3 x32s running with 2gigs each, no problems. they all have pc2700. all different makes. and it never mattered if i ran a 1 gig stick in either slot. sounds like you have a bad stick.

[ChipsAndSolder]

OK, so I tried Corsair and Black Diamond 1GB memory sticks DDR PC2700 333MHz and both had the same problem -- a black screen. I started to realize the memory was fine and there was something wrong with my X32 -- or least how I was doing it.

In additional to removing the battery and the AC power, I decided to unplug the CMOS battery as well. I waited a minute and then put in both 1GB memory sticks, plugged the CMOS battery back in and then the AC power.

When I turned it on I instantly got the Thinkpad boot screen (big improvement already) instead of the black screen. I then pressed the "Access IBM" button to see the BIOS screen and verify the memory. It took a very long time but eventually displayed a date/time error on the screen -- a result of my removing the CMOS battery.

I then corrected the date/time and rebooted. This time I pressed the button and got the BIOS screen which verified the 2048MB RAM. Great.

Finally I booted into Windows 7 and it came up with no problem.

I don't know if it is necessary to remove the CMOS battery in general, but in my case for the 2.0GB upgrade, that's what I had to do.

Thanks for all the suggestions. Now I'm going to get even more use out of my X32.