I tried to add ram - 2x2GB instead of 1 GB (Kingston 2GB DDR2 SO DIMM
667 CL5). Each of them works fine, when installed separately, but they
don't work installed together - Vista does not start.

Model: r61e 7649-w1z
System: Vista Business Basic

Thanks in advance for a hint
cisiek@[]>

On Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:39:24 +0200, cisiek <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl>
wrote:

>I tried to add ram - 2x2GB instead of 1 GB (Kingston 2GB DDR2 SO DIMM
>667 CL5). Each of them works fine, when installed separately, but they
>don't work installed together - Vista does not start.
>
>Model: r61e 7649-w1z
>System: Vista Business Basic

Who needs Vista?

When the 4 GigaBytes are installed:

1. Does the computer try to boot?

2. Can you enter the BIOS setup?

3. Can you try to boot from a CD/DVD?

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Some chipsets have a 2GB max for which there is no workaround.


cisiek wrote:
> I tried to add ram - 2x2GB instead of 1 GB (Kingston 2GB DDR2 SO DIMM
> 667 CL5). Each of them works fine, when installed separately, but they
> don't work installed together - Vista does not start.
>
> Model: r61e 7649-w1z
> System: Vista Business Basic
>
> Thanks in advance for a hint
> cisiek@[]>

>
> 1. Does the computer try to boot?
YES
> 2. Can you enter the BIOS setup?
YES
> 3. Can you try to boot from a CD/DVD?
Didn't try - what if it starts?

On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 05:56:55 +0200, cisiek <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl>
wrote:

>
>>
>> 1. Does the computer try to boot?
>YES
>> 2. Can you enter the BIOS setup?
>YES
>> 3. Can you try to boot from a CD/DVD?
>Didn't try - what if it starts?

If the BIOS shows up the RAM is accessed and it works - at least partly.

If you can get into the BIOS you should look into the parameters there and make
a SAVE. I some strange cases SOMEWHERE in the software a BIOS parameter differs
from the real world and so the system groes crazy.

Now that the NEW RAM can bee accessed and that seems to work: go ahead and put
in the old RAM. I hope you still have that. With the old RAM the Vista should
boot again.

If it does not boot: look into the BIOS parameters and SAVE them. Then try
again.


And tell us what happens.

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cisiek wrote:
>
>>
>> 1. Does the computer try to boot?
> YES
>> 2. Can you enter the BIOS setup?
> YES
>> 3. Can you try to boot from a CD/DVD?
> Didn't try - what if it starts?

In any case, try to find out if there is a BIOS update for your machine.
These updates can sometimes cure OS's not recognizing added hardware or
changes from the factory default setup.

Booting a Linux Live CD (KNOPPIX) with the 4 gigs installed will help
you determine if it is an OS (software) problem or memory (hardware)
problem.

BIOS is updated and checked - no change.
The option 2 GB(new)+ 1GB(old) was checked - doesn't work.
I will download two additional BIOS updates (in fact they are not
labelled as a BIOS updates, but updates of some BIOS functionalities)
and try, however I spent several hours during last weekend downloading
all possible updates from Microsoft and Lenovo (these 2 BIOS updates
might have already been installed via ThinkVantage Updater, or however
it is called).
I don't think I am capable of installing Linux - never tried and don't
want to do it myself. My friend, an IT specialist, leaves for holidays
tomorrow (he did the first part - installation, BIOS upgrade, tests of
memory modules, 2+1 attempt etc.), so I will try to follow your
instructions, try different BIOS setups, look for any possible updates
and see.
I will let you know :-)
Thanks anyway.
cisiek@[]>

On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:16:23 +0200, cisiek <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl>
wrote:

>BIOS is updated and checked - no change.

This I already guessed.


>The option 2 GB(new)+ 1GB(old) was checked - doesn't work.

NO! Not BOTH modules. Just take the old one with which Vista could boot.


>I will download two additional BIOS updates (in fact they are not
>labelled as a BIOS updates, but updates of some BIOS functionalities)
>and try, however I spent several hours during last weekend downloading
>all possible updates from Microsoft and Lenovo (these 2 BIOS updates
>might have already been installed via ThinkVantage Updater, or however
>it is called).

I do not think that this will work.


>I don't think I am capable of installing Linux - never tried and don't
>want to do it myself.

Well, there are 2 ways:

1. You need stuff that is on your HDD.

2. You can ignore the contents of your HDD.

In the second case you can try Linux. Messing up the HDD won't do anything bad.

If you need to get material from the HDD it is better to play it save and to get
the machine to work as it did before.


>My friend, an IT specialist, leaves for holidays
>tomorrow (he did the first part - installation, BIOS upgrade, tests of
>memory modules, 2+1 attempt etc.), so I will try to follow your
>instructions, try different BIOS setups, look for any possible updates
>and see.

Do you have other computers at home? If so: did you ever take them apart of
exchange a HDD?

What kind of interface does the HDD in your lenovo r61e have?

Are you able to put that HDD in another computer to see if the HDD is alive and
if you can access the data?

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Somewhere on teh intarwebs Happy Oyster wrote:
> On Tue, 11 Aug 2009 20:16:23 +0200, cisiek
> <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl> wrote:
>
>> BIOS is updated and checked - no change.
>
> This I already guessed.
>
>
>> The option 2 GB(new)+ 1GB(old) was checked - doesn't work.
>
> NO! Not BOTH modules. Just take the old one with which Vista could
> boot.

Yes, return the machine to it's previously-working state and check that it
is in fact the RAM that is the problem and not one of the updates....

>> I will download two additional BIOS updates (in fact they are not
>> labelled as a BIOS updates, but updates of some BIOS functionalities)
>> and try, however I spent several hours during last weekend
>> downloading all possible updates from Microsoft and Lenovo (these 2
>> BIOS updates might have already been installed via ThinkVantage
>> Updater, or however it is called).
>
> I do not think that this will work.

Why?

>> I don't think I am capable of installing Linux - never tried and
>> don't want to do it myself.
>
> Well, there are 2 ways:
>
> 1. You need stuff that is on your HDD.
>
> 2. You can ignore the contents of your HDD.
>
> In the second case you can try Linux. Messing up the HDD won't do
> anything bad.
>
> If you need to get material from the HDD it is better to play it save
> and to get the machine to work as it did before.
>
>
>> My friend, an IT specialist, leaves for holidays
>> tomorrow (he did the first part - installation, BIOS upgrade, tests
>> of memory modules, 2+1 attempt etc.), so I will try to follow your
>> instructions, try different BIOS setups, look for any possible
>> updates and see.
>
> Do you have other computers at home? If so: did you ever take them
> apart of exchange a HDD?
>
> What kind of interface does the HDD in your lenovo r61e have?
>
> Are you able to put that HDD in another computer to see if the HDD is
> alive and if you can access the data?

*WARNING*!! Don't put it in another computer as the only HDD unless it's an
identical computer or you're booting from a CD/DVD. If you try to boot from
the drive in a different computer Windows will attempt to install different
drivers and it will ikely mess up the WGA and require activation etc.

The best way to check is to put the HDD in an external enclosure or dock.

I don't understand why you're talking about the HDD when it seems that the
problem is RAM related.

Another thing, does the R61e support 4GB of RAM? I know that the R61 does
but the 'e' in R61e stands for 'economy' so it's a cut-down version and may
not have all the features of the full R61.
--
Shaun.

"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. But set fire to him and he's
warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchet, 'Jingo'.

On Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:26:19 +1200, "~misfit~" <sore_n_happy******.com.au>
wrote:

>> I do not think that this will work.
>
>Why?

My guess is that the HDD has a problem, either Vista gone to hell or the MBR is
damaged.


>> Are you able to put that HDD in another computer to see if the HDD is
>> alive and if you can access the data?
>
>*WARNING*!! Don't put it in another computer as the only HDD unless it's an
>identical computer or you're booting from a CD/DVD. If you try to boot from
>the drive in a different computer Windows will attempt to install different
>drivers and it will ikely mess up the WGA and require activation etc.
>
>The best way to check is to put the HDD in an external enclosure or dock.
>
>I don't understand why you're talking about the HDD when it seems that the
>problem is RAM related.

Because my guess is that it is NOT the RAM.

Also, my questions target 2 areas:

1. the experience with computer hardware and

2. the possibility to save data on another computer / test the HDD there

The second computer I do not mean for BOOTING this HDD, but only to read the
user data and to save it. Also, and first, to check the MBR and the
partitioning.


IF the old RAM is okay and Vista boots, then it is neither the MBR nor the HDD.
IF...
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On Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:26:19 +1200, "~misfit~" <sore_n_happy******.com.au>
wrote:

>Another thing, does the R61e support 4GB of RAM? I know that the R61 does
>but the 'e' in R61e stands for 'economy' so it's a cut-down version and may
>not have all the features of the full R61.

http://www.computermemoryoutlet.com/...%29-memory.htm
<quote>
The Lenovo Lenovo Thinkpad R61e (7649, 7650, 7657-xxx) utilizes PC2-5300 type
memory. The Lenovo Thinkpad R61e (7649, 7650, 7657-xxx) usually comes standard
with 512MB/1GB/2GB of RAM and supports up to 4GB of RAM. In order to fully
maximize your system performance Computer Memory Outlet recommends when
upgrading your memory you purchase the largest capacity memory module for one or
all memory sockets available. This will ensure you will maximize performance and
prevent you from buying memory you cannot use if you decide to upgrade your
Lenovo memory further in the future.
</quote>


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In news:h5sv6j$f97$1@news.eternal-september.org,
~misfit~ typed on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:26:19 +1200:
> *WARNING*!! Don't put it in another computer as the only HDD unless
> it's an identical computer or you're booting from a CD/DVD. If you
> try to boot from the drive in a different computer Windows will
> attempt to install different drivers and it will ikely mess up the
> WGA and require activation etc.

Sounds like somebody else has first hand experience too! <grin>

--
Bill
Gateway MX6124 ('06 era) - Windows XP SP2

"cisiek" <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
news:h5schp$jus$1@news.onet.pl...

> . . . I don't think I am capable of installing Linux - never tried and
don't
> want to do it myself.

New Ubuntu (v.9) seems to instal itself perfectly alongside
WinXP (or other flavours of Windows, I suppose) viz. goes
into the partition (drive) you select and loads Grub boot
software which presents at boot a menu listing all available
operating systems (three configurations of Ubuntu and
whatever other OS you may have.) Cost now is nominal
($3 or $5), configuration is wholly GUI and includes a good
suite of software (and instals more from Ubuntu sites.)

--
Don Phillipson
Carlsbad Springs
(Ottawa, Canada)

On Wed, 12 Aug 2009 18:24:01 -0400, "Don Phillipson" <e925@SPAMBLOCK.ncf.ca>
wrote:

>"cisiek" <"xemczuk[usunto]"@poczta.onet.pl> wrote in message
>news:h5schp$jus$1@news.onet.pl...
>
>> . . . I don't think I am capable of installing Linux - never tried and
>don't
>> want to do it myself.
>
>New Ubuntu (v.9) seems to instal itself perfectly alongside
>WinXP (or other flavours of Windows, I suppose) viz. goes
>into the partition (drive) you select and loads Grub boot
>software which presents at boot a menu listing all available
>operating systems (three configurations of Ubuntu and
>whatever other OS you may have.) Cost now is nominal
>($3 or $5), configuration is wholly GUI and includes a good
>suite of software (and instals more from Ubuntu sites.)

Ubuntu and alike are something one NEVER should touch, especially not the
beginners.

Ubuntu and alike treat the user as an idiot and shield off the machine against
him, so that he has not the real power over his very own machine.

If you cannot be root, then it is not Linux, but crap.

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Somewhere on teh intarwebs BillW50 wrote:
> In news:h5sv6j$f97$1@news.eternal-september.org,
> ~misfit~ typed on Wed, 12 Aug 2009 11:26:19 +1200:
>> *WARNING*!! Don't put it in another computer as the only HDD unless
>> it's an identical computer or you're booting from a CD/DVD. If you
>> try to boot from the drive in a different computer Windows will
>> attempt to install different drivers and it will ikely mess up the
>> WGA and require activation etc.
>
> Sounds like somebody else has first hand experience too! <grin>

He he! Yeah, that's a trap I fell into a long time ago. I have no desire to
have it happen again. ;-)
--
Shaun.

"Give a man a fire and he's warm for the day. But set fire to him and he's
warm for the rest of his life." Terry Pratchet, 'Jingo'.