IBM A31 Half memory??

NC Benz · 03-11-2008, 11:50 AM

I have 2 IBM A31 laptops. BOTH of them are recognizing only half of the memory installed. I haev tried reseating the chips and even swapping them. No change.

Anyone else out there have the same issue?

**TriggerFinger** · 03-11-2008, 12:12 PM

Hi NC Benz,

any info on the config? how about the 7digit number at the bottom of the laptop (not the SN)? also if you can give more detail on the problem.

thanks.

dai · 03-11-2008, 12:20 PM

how much memory is in it and how much is assigned to the video

NC Benz · 03-11-2008, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

how much memory is in it and how much is assigned to the video

2652 and PBU

I have two 512M chips in. They both showed 1GB a number of months ago. Now it just says 512 MB. Both computers are the same way. They have the Radeon 7500 card built in.

They are acting like the second memory bank is inactive. I have also tried cleaning the contacts with spray Electronic cleaner.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-11-2008, 02:23 PM

Hi,

Try running Memtest86+ on each of the RAM sticks. For the A31, try running PC Doctor, get it here.

please do post back and let us know what happens...

NC Benz · 03-12-2008, 04:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixmypc

Hi,

Try running Memtest86+ on each of the RAM sticks. For the A31, try running PC Doctor, get it here.

please do post back and let us know what happens...

Ran PC Doctor last night. Memory passes (at 512) and says all is OK

dai · 03-12-2008, 10:04 AM

swap the sticks over in the slots
keep it pressed down into the slot as you click it into place

NC Benz · 03-12-2008, 12:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dai

swap the sticks over in the slots
keep it pressed down into the slot as you click it into place

I have done that in the past, but did it again just to make sure. Both sticks appear to be working (I tested each one singlely just to make sure), just one socket appears dead??

**TriggerFinger** · 03-12-2008, 12:47 PM

one socket appears dead? test it again to be sure which socket and check that socket for visible defects (i.e. dirt, solder removed, etc.).

NC Benz · 03-12-2008, 01:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fixmypc

one socket appears dead? test it again to be sure which socket and check that socket for visible defects (i.e. dirt, solder removed, etc.).

Not to be a smart ***, but it would be the second socket, as the computer could not run on just the second socket... I believe.

There are no defects that I can see, and have used ProGold G5 Connector Enhancer spray as well.

What interests me is that I have two laptops doing the same thing.

**TriggerFinger** · 03-12-2008, 01:45 PM

i have heard about this before... something that affected some A31 thinkpads.

here's something worth trying...

1. install your RAM stick in the second slot (suspect slot). DO NOT PUT anything in the first slot (working slot).

2. Power ON the system. it would not boot up if it fails to see that there is RAM installed.

3. if system does not recognize it (boot up failed in step 2), power the system OFF and try to put something between the RAM stick and the cover, something thick enough to push the RAM stick further down. (try a plastic card similar to that of a Subway or Walmart gift card but fold it in half so it doubles in thickness)

4. Repeat step 2.

Try it for both laptops.

sleep machine · 04-02-2008, 09:44 PM

I had the same problem with my A31p - - 2653H5U upgraded with 2.6 MHz P4M, 100 GB 7200 HD, etc. - - only with one of two 1GB sticks (updated BIOS to 1.13 1GET41WW). I determined the "bad" dimm slot; put in a good 1GB stick (leaving the "good" dimm slot empty); put in three layers of plastic credit card stock; reinstalled the cover; and voila, it works. Installed second 1GB in second slot and it now recognizes 2GB. Running PC Doctor 5 System Memory right now, but there appear to be no problems. Thanks for the suggestion - - I was stumped and it just went off extended warranty on 2-28-08.

**TriggerFinger** · 04-02-2008, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sleep machine

I had the same problem with my A31p - - 2653H5U upgraded with 2.6 MHz P4M, 100 GB 7200 HD, etc. - - only with one of two 1GB sticks (updated BIOS to 1.13 1GET41WW). I determined the "bad" dimm slot; put in a good 1GB stick (leaving the "good" dimm slot empty); put in three layers of plastic credit card stock; reinstalled the cover; and voila, it works. Installed second 1GB in second slot and it now recognizes 2GB. Running PC Doctor 5 System Memory right now, but there appear to be no problems. Thanks for the suggestion - - I was stumped and it just went off extended warranty on 2-28-08.

glad to hear that...

03-11-2008, 11:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
NC Benz Registered User Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 5 OS: XP Pro	IBM A31 Half memory?? I have 2 IBM A31 laptops. BOTH of them are recognizing only half of the memory installed. I haev tried reseating the chips and even swapping them. No change. Anyone else out there have the same issue? Last edited by NC Benz; 03-11-2008 at 12:03 PM.

03-11-2008, 12:12 PM	#2 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,851 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? Hi NC Benz, any info on the config? how about the 7digit number at the bottom of the laptop (not the SN)? also if you can give more detail on the problem. thanks. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-11-2008, 12:20 PM	#3 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,759 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? how much memory is in it and how much is assigned to the video __________________

03-11-2008, 02:23 PM	#5 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,851 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? Hi, Try running Memtest86+ on each of the RAM sticks. For the A31, try running PC Doctor, get it here. please do post back and let us know what happens... __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-12-2008, 10:04 AM	#7 (permalink)
dai Manager, Hardware Forums Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: west australia Posts: 56,759 OS: win 7 32x 64x rtm	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? swap the sticks over in the slots keep it pressed down into the slot as you click it into place __________________

03-12-2008, 12:47 PM	#9 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,851 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? one socket appears dead? test it again to be sure which socket and check that socket for visible defects (i.e. dirt, solder removed, etc.). __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE

03-12-2008, 01:45 PM	#11 (permalink)
TriggerFinger Moderator Hardware Team Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: USA Posts: 11,851 OS: Vista SP1, XP SP3, PCLinuxOS2007	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? i have heard about this before... something that affected some A31 thinkpads. here's something worth trying... 1. install your RAM stick in the second slot (suspect slot). DO NOT PUT anything in the first slot (working slot). 2. Power ON the system. it would not boot up if it fails to see that there is RAM installed. 3. if system does not recognize it (boot up failed in step 2), power the system OFF and try to put something between the RAM stick and the cover, something thick enough to push the RAM stick further down. (try a plastic card similar to that of a Subway or Walmart gift card but fold it in half so it doubles in thickness) 4. Repeat step 2. Try it for both laptops. __________________ DBAN - Memtest86+ - BartPE - Linux LiveCD - ImgBurn - HDD Diags - Disk Copy HOW TO BURN AN ISO FILE Last edited by TriggerFinger; 03-12-2008 at 01:47 PM.

04-02-2008, 09:44 PM	#12 (permalink)
sleep machine Registered User Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: South Carolina Posts: 1 OS: xp sp2	Re: IBM A31 Half memory?? I had the same problem with my A31p - - 2653H5U upgraded with 2.6 MHz P4M, 100 GB 7200 HD, etc. - - only with one of two 1GB sticks (updated BIOS to 1.13 1GET41WW). I determined the "bad" dimm slot; put in a good 1GB stick (leaving the "good" dimm slot empty); put in three layers of plastic credit card stock; reinstalled the cover; and voila, it works. Installed second 1GB in second slot and it now recognizes 2GB. Running PC Doctor 5 System Memory right now, but there appear to be no problems. Thanks for the suggestion - - I was stumped and it just went off extended warranty on 2-28-08.