[Ham-Computers] ibm thinkpad r32 ram

[Hsu, Aaron (NBC Universal)]

Hi Jonathan,

Although the system counts up the full 2GB RAM, there's probably a reason why IBM only supported 1GB RAM on the system.  Yes, availabity of 1GB modules may have been be a factor.  Another is that IBM may have designed some of the R32's hardware to use memory space above 1GB.  In this case, although the system BIOS may recognize any additional RAM you install, the RAM will overlap with some other device using that memory space - not a good situation.

I notice on the Crucial website that the R32 will accept a max of 512MB per slot with an additional footnote of "Not to exceed manufacturer supported memory".  I suspect that Crucial knows something about the R32 and knows that the system *will* recognize more than 1GB, but it's not recommended.  I would tend to concur and stick with the manufacturer's max spec.  Here's a link to Crucial's upgrade page for the one model R32 (the rest state the same):

http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.aspx?model=ThinkPad%20R32%20Series%20(Type%202659)


If you really want to keep the 2GB, then I highly suggest you use some type of RAM testing software to make sure everything seems OK.  The best free RAM tester out ther is Memtest86 (http://www.memtest86.com).  Download the bootable floppy or CD ISO file, create the appropriate floppy/CD, and boot from it.  Then run a full test - I would suggest a minimum of 10 complete cycles/passes.  However, even if this works, there's no guarantee the full 2GB won't get in the way of something as many devices aren't activated until after a driver is loaded (such as in Windows).

Anyways, I think you get the general idea.  Honestly, I would say the upgrade isn't worth the risk unless you have an absolute need for 2GB RAM.  1GB is fine for most people - 2GB (or more) is only for those who really *need* it (gamers, photo/video editors, *heavy* multi-tasking, etc).  If this is the case, you might be better off buying a newer, more powerful laptop anyway.

73,

  - Aaron, NN6O


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Sent: Thursday, February 05, 2009 3:53 PM
Subject: [Ham-Computers] ibm thinkpad r32 ram


I have an IBM thinkpad R32 which has serviced me quite well... It currently has 1GB RAM in it...  which is the MAX according to Kingston and IBM's websites.... well this week I ordered two sticks of 1GB Kingston memory for my sister's ACER laptop and it's the same type of memory that's in mine..... so I thought hey why not.... so I stuck in both of the memory sticks in my laptop and BINGO the BIOS reported 2GB ram... so I let it boot on into Windows XP and tada it reports 2GB of ram as well... 

so i'm just wondering will it hurt anything to run 2GB ram on my thinkpad??

maybe they say it doesn't support it cause they weren't in production when this laptop was made?

Ideas, thoughts, pros, cons?


Thanks in advance,

Jonathan