[Thinkpad] RE: 560x/560z memory questions

Howdy! I'm responding to replies from Robert Lee from Hong Kong and Andrew in Ann Arbor in one response, cuz I'm lazy :-)

> -----Original Message-----
> Sent: October 28, 2003 11:53 PM
> Subject: 560x/560z memory questions

> (Robert) FYI, on my ThinkPad 560X, I had installed a no-brandname, Taiwanese-made 64MB EDO RAM and the machine
> reports no problems recognising or using it.
> (Andrew) I've got a 560x and had trouble with RAM. I bought a 64 MB chip (E-bay) that was supposed to be for a 560 but > didn't work in my 560x. The second 64 Mb chip worked so I now have 96 Mb total.

Sorry I wasn't more clear in my original question - I think I was cramming too many questions in. Let me clarify - my 560x currently has 96mb; the base 32mb module that comes on the motherboard and a 64mb module in the expansion slot. I was wondering if anyone had looked underneath the motherboard to see how the 32mb module was fitted; i.e, is it soldered in or is there an expansion slot (like on the bottom of the 560x)? I know some other models have an expansion slot for the base memory module that is upgradeable (I believe the 770z was one that was mentioned on this forum) and if anyone had tried to upgrade the base 32mb module - including, if the base module was soldered in - desoldering the base module and soldering in a new module.

> (Robert) My own personal opinion is that even midlevel upgrades to 560X/Z is now no longer worthwhile. They
> are good, solid machines on their own merits.

No arguments there, mate. But like Andrew, I will probably invest far more time, effort, and money than is practical. You know, "because it's there" kind of a thing. BTW, I lucked out and got the 560z for $25 total and it only needed a CMOS battery and hard drive; both of which I had spares. So I don't mind adding a few bucks to it :-)

> (Robert) FYI, in my own experience on the 560X, using a USB 2.0 external HDD case does not offer *practical*
> performance advantage over a USB 1.1 external HDD case. (Your kilometre'age may vary ...)

Thanks for the tip. Same thing applies to USB thumb drives; not worth the extra money (in the case of the thumb drives, the transfer speed is limited by the flash memory speed).

> (Andrew) Since then I've seen a couple of mentions of the 560 series as being very particular about memory so I'd be
> surprised (also pleased) if you could get SDRAM chips to work.

I hadn't seen that mentioned. I guess I've been lucky. I should be getting a 64mb module in a week for the 560z, bringing it up to 128mb. I'll keep my fingers crossed. I have a friend who has an older laptop... maybe sometime in December, I'll ask what kind of memory he has and if he wouldn't mind risking it (if it is PC66). I suspect it's also EDO, though. I did read where someone tried either PC100 or PC66 in a 560x with no luck. However, the 560x has a 430tx motherboard, whereas the 560z has a 440bx. Still a long shot, but that gives a bit of hope.

> (Andrew) I've upgraded (downgraded?) my with a solid state (no moving parts) drive. It's only 800 Mb (the 2 Gb drive
> costs $2000) > but it's totally silent and very easy on the batteries. Another neat trick is booting your computer from a
> PC card, I intend to have a minimal Windows 98 OS on a card so I could boot from the card in case of emergency.

Yes, I followed that thread about the solid state memory with interest. Thanks for posting the detail. I've saved it for future use.

> (Andrew) PS: where are you in Michigan? .gov sounds like Lansing....

Yes, I work in Lansing so we're practically neighbors. How's this for a coincidence: My first two responses to my question are from Robert from Hong Kong (where I was born) and Andrew from Ann Arbor, Michigan, whose U of M Wolverines will be playing the MSU Spartans here in Lansing this weekend... small world, eh?

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Received on Wed Oct 29 12:22:24 2003