An update on 2 different SODIMM chips which have provided me with different results with different version IOs. The first was the 128MB Centon mentioned above and the second is a 256MB chip from Crucial. Both IOs are running Win98SE with all required updates from Microsoft.
The 1st
128MB Centon from Circuit City
Model#: 128MBLT133 T156355
PC133 Synchronous 16x64-7ns 144-pin SODIMM
This SODIMM has a total of 8 chips (4 on each side).
Each chip says the following: ELPIDA SINGAPORE - D45128163G5 - A75-9JF - 0225XEP01
Tested in 2 systems:
UNSTABLE in a V4 regardless of BIOS settings. Would sometimes reboot while booting or it would simply freeze up. It would NOT boot completely at all.
STABLE in a V5 with the following BIOS settings:
DRAM Timing: Turbo or Normal (all other settings were unstable)
SDRAM Cycle Length: 2 or 3
The 2nd
256MB from Crucial.com
Model/Part#: CT32M64S4W7E.16F
SDRAM, PC133 • CL=2 • Non-parity • 7.5ns • 3.3V • 32Meg x 64 • 144-pin SODIMM
This SODIMM has a total of 16 chips (8 on each side).
When I called Crucial I was first told that they didn't carry 16 chip SODIMMs then was told they did and that the chips ran in 4 rows of 2. Note that what I got was a tall SODIMM with 6 chips beside each other and 2 chips above these.
Each chip says the following: 2WE31 - DBFCN
Tested in 2 systems:
UNSTABLE in a V4 regardless of BIOS settings. Would sometimes reboot while booting or it would simply freeze up. It would NOT boot completely at all.
STABLE in a V5 with the following BIOS settings:
DRAM Timing: Turbo or Normal or SDRAM 10ns or SDRAM 8ns (all other settings were unstable)
SDRAM Cycle Length: 2 or 3
OK so WTF is with V4 IOs and RAM?? I was able to run the V5 IO for a 48 hour period with the Centon 128MB module and for a 24 hour period with the 256MB module without any system problems. I'll be returning the Centon 128MB module to Circuit City tomorrow and will be getting 1 of the Centon 256MB chips and perhaps a PNY 128MB and 256MB as well to test. Hoping that one of them will work in the V4!
If anyone has a Model or Part number of a 256MB module which is working in a V4 IO please post it and from where you purchased it here. Thanks!
