[ltp] Thinkpad 600 and maximising RAM with success

[Daniel Schmidt]

Hi List,

as Notebook S0-Dimms (SDRAM) are quite cheap at the moment, i tried to upg=
rade my Thinkpad 600 (2645-510) from 224 MB to 288MB, which is the maximum=
 of RAM for that model=2E

Here are my experiences:

Starting from 32 MB onboard and 64MB FSB66 in an expansion slot, i upgrade=
d to 224 by adding a FSB100 128MB module from Compaq=2E First, it did not =
work by just adding the 128MB-module in the second expansion slot=2E I had=
 to change the order of the extension modules:
onboard: 32MB FSB66
1=2E slot: 128MB FSB100
2=2E slot: 64MB FSB66

Then i ordered a 128MB FSB100 Module from Kingston (via Alternate in Germa=
ny) to upgrade from 224 to 288MB=2E I was not able to reach the 288MB,  we=
ther with the Compaq Module in slot 1 or slot 2; memory size was allways 2=
24MB=2E
Thinking about compatibility issues with the compaq module, i orderd anoth=
er Kingston Module with FSB100=2E After receiving it, i had to face the sa=
me problems: Only 224 MB RAM available=2E A short view in the BIOS setup s=
howed, that 288MB were built in, but only 224 were usable!? =2E=2E=2E
Searching the internet once more, i have found an hint at my Thinkpads Mot=
her IBM: Hidden in a support forum, someone said: Yes, you can have 288MB =
in an Thinpad 600, but at least one of the extension modules has to be FSB=
66=2E Holy shit=2E
Alternate showed up very friendly an i could send my FSB100 modules back t=
o change them into FSB66 Modules=2E Now i have 288MB RAM available in my T=
P 600=2E Using the Compaq FSB100 module in combination with one of the Kin=
gston modules was only possible by changing the order of the modules in th=
e extension slots, but still possible=2E

Now my Memory Configuration is as following:
1=2E onboard: 32MB FSB66
2=2E Slot 1: 128MB FSB66
3=2E Slot 2: 128MB FSB66

Extension Modules are both Kingston ValueRam S0-Dimm 128MB, 3,3V, 144 Pin,=
 FSB66=2E In comparison to original IBM parts with FRU number this is much=
 cheaper (I paid 34 Euros for each module)=2E

But why did i order FSB100 first? Well, i thought it might be a better inv=
estment to use FSB100 modules, as the according website told me the should=
 be FSB66-compatible=2E=2E=2E Be aware of those thougts while working with=
 IBM Thinkpads=2E Use only memory modules that fit IBMs hardware specifica=
tions=2E

Now i have 2 old Modules left - one with 64MB FSB66 and one with 128MB FSB=
100, i think i will offer them at ebay=2Ede - along with my old 4GB 2,5" h=
ardisk to minimize my upgrade investments=2E

I hope that these informations might be helpful for someone=2E

Regards,

-ds-