Hello to everyone!
My old trusty Thinkpad 380Z laptop needs replacing memory. It turns out it is very difficult to find that memory now in my location. It needs EDO 128MB SODIMM 144 pin 3.3V 60ns.
Hello. A fellow Dane, with a still going strong ThinkPad from 1996, is calling.
My ThinkPad 365XD originally came equipped with 8MB onboard soldered EDO-RAM and a slot which IBM specified to be used with a 32MB EDO-RAM SO-DIMM module.
However, early on it was clear that the slot could take a 64 MB module, bringing the total up to 72 MB.
In fact, I got my hands on one of those 128 MB EDO SO-DIMM modules you're wishing for and placed it in the slot, just to find out that the memorycontroller only recoqnized half of the capacity. It was useless because it still shows 72 MB in total.
I therefore came up with the bright idea of desolder the four 16mbit onboard memorychips (giving 8MB in total) and replace them with four of the 128mbit chips from the 128 MB memory module. This is a task to be done later.
Anyway...just all this bullocks to tell you, that you really need to buy EDO-RAM, 144pin, SO-DIMM, 60ns.
According to the servicemanual:
https://download.lenovo.com/ibmdl/pub/pc/pccbbs/mobiles/38zhmm.pdf...your ThinkPad is equipped with 32 MB onboard (almost non-removable
) EDO-RAM and a slot to be equipped with a maximum of 64 MB, bringing the machine to a total of 96 MB RAM.
If you buy a 128 MB EDO-RAM, 144pin, 60ns, SO-DIMM module and plug it in, you machine will still only recoqnize half of it and you'll still be left with total of 96 MB. It's *NOT* possible to exceed that.
You can not lift the memory above that limit, unless you plan to do exactly the same hardware modification as I intend: Desoldering and removing the onboard memory chips (Your ThinkPad 380Z is most probably equipped with four 64mbit EDO-RAM chips) and exchange them with 128mbit chips. This way you can probably bring the machine to work with 128 MB in total, if you also have a 64 MB in the slot.
This is just a wild guess and a shot in the dark if this will ever work.
So if you're hungry enough, buy a 128 MB module if you can find it and use it, having the machine recoqnizing the 64MB, until I manage to do the hardware modification with success. Then we'll know if it's possible and I might be able to help you by then.
Or, find a 64 MB module and use that, if your 380Z is without it.