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Anonymous Posted on Sep 28, 2012

IBM T23 wont turn on after adding new RAM

The machine runs with 256K original RAM (2 Sticks 128K) but when I install 2 new 512K sticks it will not even attempt to boot. Fan spins up and hard drive never engages.

  • Anonymous Oct 01, 2012

    Thanks Steve for the suggestion but it didnt work. I tried all modules separately and they didnt work. Also tried what you suggested using one old module and a new one. No luck with that. I tried to update the bios with the non-diskette file but I get an error: The diskette in the default drive will not run on this system. Your system is now locked. To restart your system press Ctrl+Alt+Del. I am completely at a loss and the IBM site is less than helpful. Tried searching for the error and get many different scenarios as this seems to be a common IBM Lenovo issue. Anyone out there had this problem? Thanks!

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Steve

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  • IBM Master 3,290 Answers
  • Posted on Sep 28, 2012
Steve
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Hi - according to memory suppliers your T23 has the following memory capacity / requirements:

  • IBM ThinkPad T23 maximum RAM capacity: 1GB
  • Your IBM has Two (2) memory slots or sockets
  • Module upgrade PIN count is: 144-PIN
  • The memory speed is: SDRAM 133MHz, PC133
  • The laptop DIMM type for the ThinkPad T23 is: SODIMM, SO-DIMM, Small Outline DIMM
  • Non ECC

If you are meeting these requirements, you may have a defective module.

Also, according to Lenovo's page on the machine:

Memory
The system has 128MB or 256MB of memory standard and can be configured for up to 1GB of addressable memory. Memory options up to 512MB SDRAM SO DIMMs each can be added in the two available slots for memory expansion. The standard 128MB of memory is expandable up to 640MB and the 256MB of memory is expandable up to 768 MB of addressable memory with 64, 128, 256, or 512MB SO DIMMs without removing the 128MB SO DIMM that is standard in one of the internal slots for memory. For customers that need the maximum 1GB to which memory can be expanded, it is necessary to replace the 128MB or 256MB card with a 512MB card plus add another 512MB card in the extra slot. Only 133MHz DIMM memory can be used in this system. The use of 100MHz DIMM memory is not supported in the T23 systems.

This means yo can trouble shoot the 512MB modules individually by installing one of the original 128MB modules and one of the new 512MB modules (for a total system memory of 640MB). If it does not boot, try again with the other 512MB module. This will help you identify a defective module that may be preventing the machine from booting.

I hope this helps & good luck!

  • Anonymous Sep 29, 2012

    Thanks Steve for the suggestion but it didnt work. I tried all modules separately and they didnt work. Also tried what you suggested using one old module and a new one. No luck with that. I tried to update the bios with the non-diskette file but I get an error: The diskette in the default drive will not run on this system. Your system is now locked. To restart your system press Ctrl+Alt+Del. I am completely at a loss and the IBM site is less than helpful. Tried searching for the error and get many different scenarios as this seems to be a common IBM Lenovo issue. Anyone out there had this problem? Thanks!

×

5 Related Answers

A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Apr 13, 2008

SOURCE: T23 wont boot

having same issue. how much memory (ram) do you have installed. this model t23 (2647) can only have 256MB DIMM per slot - total 512MB (although it can handle 2X512MB DIMM's) i'd try booting with only 1 256MB DIMM and if sucessful had the other.

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A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Sep 08, 2008

SOURCE: How to replace the hard drive in a IBM notebook T23?

You don't actually have to have the top cover off the laptop. Just remove the screw on the bottom of the Infrared Port (as you're looking at the laptop as in use, the bottm left front corner) and just carefully pry the IR port out away from the case. The harddrive slides right out.

A

Anonymous

  • Posted on Sep 20, 2008

SOURCE: IBM T30 RAM memory module only 1/2 working?

The problem is the mother board. One of the memory slots has gone bad. This is common with T30s.

Anonymous

  • 46 Answers
  • Posted on Mar 04, 2009

SOURCE: IBM thinkpad T23 2647 install help

Many lockups are caused by incorrect (wrong kind or too much) or faulty memory modules. If you are comfortable doing so, open the memory door on the bottom (most likely) of the PC after first unplugging the PC and removing the main battery. Verify, if you can, that the memory is correct for PC. If the modules don't specifically say what type and speed they are, do a search on any numbers on labels. Go to www.crucial.com and use the memory finder on the left side of the page. If the memory you have is the correct type, try the following: If there are two modules, remove one, then try your XP install again. If it crashes, reinstall the removed module, and remove the other one. If either XP install works, the removed module is faulty. Replace it. If it still crashes, try to borrow some proper memory from someone. If all of this still doesn't work, it could be the hard drive and NOT the memory. In this case, about the only thing you can do is borrow a copy of a bootable CD-ROM based program that can check your hard drive. Many hard drive manufacturers have something like this.

Anonymous

  • 185 Answers
  • Posted on Apr 21, 2009

SOURCE: Laptop fan does not engage when hot, but spins up upon boot

hi this is due to the fan settings in BIOS Program has been not correctly mentioned,so u cant find the fan setting in BIOS Program reset the BIOS Program it will helps u to activate the fan setting.when u got the fan setting u can solve the fan problem in ur laptop.In ur laptop fan is giving u the problem but the BIOS setting is creates the problem reset BIOS Pgm and then u can fix the fan problem without changing the fan again.


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