Thinkpad 600e ram memory update

[alexapintea]

Hi,

I  bought last days an old 600e for my parents.The model is a 4Ax one (PII 366 Mhz,64 Ram).I wanted to update the RAM memory, so I got 128 x 2 SODIMM PC100 (in total 256).I know that the mainboard support only PC 66 but I found on some forums that some guys could use this kind of SODIMM module with PC100.

The  problem is: my mainboard uses only 160 RAM (32 onboard and 128 RAM.)

I wanted to use all RAM memory (288 RAM or least 266),but the mainboard uses only 160.

The bios is last updated (http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/document.do?lndocid=DSHY-46HLKQ).

When I open the Config from Bios menu,the mainboard recognizes 288 RAM but it uses only 160.

I know also that I can disable the 32 onboard memory if I open (with Ctrl+D) the CMOS editor and I change the byte values from 2B  (from 80 to 81).In this case I got less memory: 128 RAM.

How can I make a change in this editor (some bytes values changes) to use all RAM memory (288 or 256 RAM)?

Please help me!

Thanks in advance,

Alex.

[jimhannan · Accepted solution]

i upgraded mine with two 256mb  pc100 cards from edge tech corp. i also had to disable the internal ram. they stock it and works great. just follow the prompts for your machine, and go from there. made a big difference in performance. 

[alexapintea]

Thanks for your advice.It is also possible to have a problem with my mainboard, maybe some of the ram slot is bad (imperfect connection between ram stick and slot).

[kstrid]

I have a 600E 2645-4BG.

I have 32+128+32=192. I have bought another 128. When I replace the 32 with the 128 I get only 160. I know that the module works since when I switch the 128 currently installed with this new is runs well.

Is there any setting to be changed/set?

[ajkula66 Guru]

@kstrid:

Do you have the latest BIOS on that 600E, since what you're describing doesn't sound right.

I was able (many years ago) to run 256+128+32 on a similar machine...

[kstrid]

You even usen more than recommended max RAM?

BIOS Update (Diskette) - ThinkPad 600E (2645: 55x, 56x, 57x, 58x, A5x, A6x, Bxx [except for BAU], JJ1, JJ2, RRA)

No I don't run the latest BIOS. The BIOS description above,,,does it include 2645-4BG? or how shall I interpret this?

[kstrid]

Sorry I found the correct BIOS version.

ken

[ajkula66 Guru]

If you read through older posts on TPF, you'll see that folks were (and some still are) running 512MB on these machines, with onboard RAM disabled.

It's been a *very* long time since I've last used a 600E, but that's what I distinctly remember.

Good luck.

[kstrid]

ok thx, I will figure out how to disable the internal ram.

k