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RAM issues with ThinkPAd when upgrading to 4GB

 
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twr7cx
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:13 pm    Post subject: RAM issues with ThinkPAd when upgrading to 4GB Reply with quote

I have purchased 2 x 2GB DDR2 PC-5300 667MHz 200-pin SO-DIMM Corsair Value Select VS2GSDS667D2 RAM to fit into my Lenovo R61e ThinPad which has a maximum capacity of 4GB of this type of RAM.
The old RAM is 2 x Samsung 512MB DDR2 SODIMM 200-pin PC2-5300 M470T6554CZ3-CE6 RAM.

So I removed the old Samsung RAM, and replaced with the Corsair. Booted the computer up and as it was loading Vista it gave me the BSOD - the error message was "PFN_LIST_CORRUPT". I tried again, same deal. Tried Safe Mode, same deal. Tried putting the installation DVD in, and near the end of loading the files it does the same deal.

So I did a bit of playing around. If I fit either 1, and only 1 of the Corsair RAM's into the computer, into either Slot 0 or slot 1, and leave the other slot, the computer will load no dramas and Vista will show 2GB of RAM. But if it's in slot 1 and slot 0 is empty, i get a message on booting up warning me of this, but i can press a button and it'll continue to load up.

Now if I fit a corsair RAM into Slot 1 (the top slot), and a samsung into slot 0 (the bottom slot), the computer loads fine and shows 2.5GB of RAM. I tried this with both combinations.

But I do the same as above, but instead put the Corsair into slot 0, and the Samsung into slot 1 I get a new BSOD, this time the error is "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" - happens with both modules of corsair and samsung.

So i put the two samsung modules back in and works fine.

Any ideas?

Could it just be faulty RAM? Or incompatible brand/model?
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twr7cx
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Just a bit of an update, I stole some RAM out of my Toshiba Tecra M4. It uses DDR2, but only PC-4300 or 533MHz (slower). The module in it was a 1GB Samsung, m470t2953by3-cd5.

Had this Toshiba Samsung module in slot 1, and the Corsair in slot 0 and BSOD - pfn list corrupt message.

Swaped them around so Toshiba in slot 0 and corsair in slot 1 and vista loads up and shows 3GB of ram.

So - what does this mean? I guess it means that if I can't get the 2 x 2gb units to work, I can hopefully get a 1GB unit in the correct speed and at least cut my losses having 3gb.
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Denim
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 7:55 pm    Post subject: Re: RAM issues with ThinkPAd when upgrading to 4GB Reply with quote

twr7cx wrote:
I have purchased 2 x 2GB DDR2 PC-5300 667MHz 200-pin SO-DIMM Corsair Value Select VS2GSDS667D2 RAM to fit into my Lenovo R61e ThinPad which has a maximum capacity of 4GB of this type of RAM.
The old RAM is 2 x Samsung 512MB DDR2 SODIMM 200-pin PC2-5300 M470T6554CZ3-CE6 RAM.

So I removed the old Samsung RAM, and replaced with the Corsair. Booted the computer up and as it was loading Vista it gave me the BSOD - the error message was "PFN_LIST_CORRUPT". I tried again, same deal. Tried Safe Mode, same deal. Tried putting the installation DVD in, and near the end of loading the files it does the same deal.

So I did a bit of playing around. If I fit either 1, and only 1 of the Corsair RAM's into the computer, into either Slot 0 or slot 1, and leave the other slot, the computer will load no dramas and Vista will show 2GB of RAM. But if it's in slot 1 and slot 0 is empty, i get a message on booting up warning me of this, but i can press a button and it'll continue to load up.

Now if I fit a corsair RAM into Slot 1 (the top slot), and a samsung into slot 0 (the bottom slot), the computer loads fine and shows 2.5GB of RAM. I tried this with both combinations.

But I do the same as above, but instead put the Corsair into slot 0, and the Samsung into slot 1 I get a new BSOD, this time the error is "IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL" - happens with both modules of corsair and samsung.

So i put the two samsung modules back in and works fine.

Any ideas?

Could it just be faulty RAM? Or incompatible brand/model?


When it comes to IBM Compaq, and other brand names, you generally have to use the ram they recommend, as others will be incompatible,
also, certain computers/laptops are only capable of accepting certain ram sizes/speed, windows can only use just a bit over 3gig of ram, the rest
is useless.. you will find that 2gig of ram is more than enough even if your using Vista, I suggest you get onto their site and see what ram
and configurations they suggest for ur Laptop.. certain brand named computers will only work with certain ram, theyre made that way,
that way you have to buy their ram at higher prices.. icon_cool.gif
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twr7cx
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:26 pm    Post subject: Re: RAM issues with ThinkPAd when upgrading to 4GB Reply with quote

Denim wrote:
When it comes to IBM Compaq, and other brand names, you generally have to use the ram they recommend, as others will be incompatible,
also, certain computers/laptops are only capable of accepting certain ram sizes/speed, windows can only use just a bit over 3gig of ram, the rest
is useless.. you will find that 2gig of ram is more than enough even if your using Vista, I suggest you get onto their site and see what ram
and configurations they suggest for ur Laptop.. certain brand named computers will only work with certain ram, theyre made that way,
that way you have to buy their ram at higher prices.. icon_cool.gif


I've heard the argument about the 4gs of ram being overkill, but I still want it. i definately got the right speed ram, etc., and 4gb is the limit.
i'll have a browse to see what ram they recomend.

Just had a look at http://www-604.ibm.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=-36&storeId=10000036&langId=036&dualCurrId=1000089&categoryId=13865526&productId=4611686018425207038 and it's twice the price for the genuine stuff!

just had a look on ebay and can get from america the proper stuff for $150 US$.
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Punnisher_42
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 8:45 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

does the corsair run in the toshiba laptop? could rule out corrupt memory that way.
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Denim
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:18 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

http://www.upgradeable.com.au/ibm-lenovo/thinkpad-r61e--7649--7650--7657-.html

Try that place for your ram... $135 for 2gigs Part number - UB1369
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twr7cx
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 9:38 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

So I have run Memtest 86 v3.3 with the 1GB Toshiba and 1 x 2GB Corsair in and it passed no dramas. I've removed them and fitted the other corsaid and 1 of the original samsungs, running it again.

My guess is that there's nothing wrong with the memory, just not compatible with the computer.

I've found some garanteed compatible on ebay usa for $50 per stick. I'm wondering if I just buy 1 of these and put in slot 0 and a corsair in slot 1 if it'll work as it currently is...
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twr7cx
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PostPosted: Wed May 21, 2008 11:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

All the RAM passed memtest - so must just be a case of incompatibility with the brands and sizes.
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zxhoon
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PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 12:52 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

could have something to do with the chip count, ive heard of that with some other hardware before...

if its 32bit vista it wont use more than about 3.2 or 3.5gig due to a memory address limitation of 4 gig (but there are other devices such as graphics card that are using that same memory map) if its vista 64bit it will see 4 gig fine...
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PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 1:53 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

if you do mix speeds boths sims will drop down to the slowest speed so that is not a recommended practice
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Punnisher_42
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PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 5:09 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

twr7cx wrote:
So I have run Memtest 86 v3.3 with the 1GB Toshiba and 1 x 2GB Corsair in and it passed no dramas. I've removed them and fitted the other corsaid and 1 of the original samsungs, running it again.

My guess is that there's nothing wrong with the memory, just not compatible with the computer.

I've found some garanteed compatible on ebay usa for $50 per stick. I'm wondering if I just buy 1 of these and put in slot 0 and a corsair in slot 1 if it'll work as it currently is...


your probably right. but memory tests are so s**t. more often then not a mem test will not pick up on faulty RAM
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haggis
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PostPosted: Thu May 22, 2008 9:59 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Are you forcing the timings and clock speed of the RAM? If you are using an automatic setting (The SPD option), the BIOS asks the RAM chips what operating parameters to use, and the RAM obviously uses the predefined manufacturers default speed of the RAM - which may be too fast for your system. When you mix the sticks up, it automatically runs at the slowest of the collective reported speeds which would explain why it works in any configuration except 2gb + 2gb.

If you have some time, take a look around google for some memory tweak guides, there are other settings which you may need to apply/disable in your BIOS to be able to use this new RAM together.
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zxhoon
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PostPosted: Fri May 23, 2008 10:11 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Punnisher_42 wrote:

your probably right. but memory tests are so s**t. more often then not a mem test will not pick up on faulty RAM


you havent used memtest 86 have you? this is the one thing that WILL pick up on faulty ram, it does very in depth tests, changing what is written to the memory several times and reading it back to make sure there are no stuck bits and that the ram actually works...

great bit of software thats free and easy to use...
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