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Using this guide you’ll be able to replace or upgrade memory modules (aka RAM) in IBM ThinkPad T40, T40p, T41, T41p, T42, T42p series laptops. In my case I’ll be working with a ThinkPad T41.
This laptop came with 512MB RAM installed. There are two 256MB memory modules installed. One of them can be easily accessed from the bottom of the laptop. The second module is hidden under the keyboard.
Before you start, turn off the laptop, unplug the adapter and remove the battery.
Removing RAM module located on the bottom.
First of all, remove the memory cover.
Spread latches located on both sides of the memory module until the module pops up at a 30 degree angle, as it shown on the picture below.
Grab the memory module by the edges and pull it from the slot.
Removing RAM module located on under the keyboard.
The second memory slot is located under the keyboard, so we’ll have to remove the keyboard first.
Remove four screws securing the keyboard.
Insert a small flathead screwdriver between the keyboard and palm rest and carefully lift up the keyboard.
Place the keyboard on the palm rest so you can access the cable.
Disconnect the keyboard cable from the motherboard. Now you can access the second memory module.
Remove the internal memory module the same way you removed the first one.
On the picture below you can see the original module.
According to the official hardware maintenance manual for ThinkPad T40/T40p, T41/T41p, T42/T42p, these laptops can take up to 2GB memory total. You can install up to 1GB memory module into each slot.
You should use PC2700 (DDR-333) 200-Pin SODIMM RAM.
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August 3rd, 2010 at 4:16 am
I have problem with IBM T40, its like sound card is dead, I can’t get in device manager on sound card yellow question mark and then I install drivers, but no, its like its not inside(sound card), I flashed bios and again same problem…I checked in BIOS I can turn of/on LAN and other parts like serial port etc… but there is no option for sound card to turn it on or of…
HELP!!
August 1st, 2010 at 8:45 pm
Are these rams compitable???
compaq ram M470T6554E23-CE6
TOSHIBA EQUIM M470T6554C23-CD5 .
Only the last few ltetters are different…
Can somebody advice whether i can put the toshiba ram in the compaq..
Thanks.
August 1st, 2010 at 8:42 pm
I have a toshiba equim and a t41, can i put the ram of the toshiba equim in the t41??
can i putthe toshiba equim ram in my
May 30th, 2010 at 5:47 pm
Thanks for the advice and help. Much appreciated. I bought a refurb T42 w/ 1 gig of memory and an XP Pro OS. Best money spent in quite a while. I feel that T42s are toMacs and Dells, as most MP3 players are to iPods. iPods are grossly overated, way too expensive, require Jobs’ proprietary software, almost impossible to bypass iTunes, and the music quality does not match my simple Samsung unit. Macs generally suck.
April 8th, 2010 at 10:03 pm
I am having the same problem as post 57, 72, and 77. Both sticks of ram are in working order they just wont work together. Both of the ram slots work. Why wont it run? Manual says it will support 2 1g of pc 2700. Is there jumpers i need to pull? Change the voltage on the battery pack? Is there a way to change the voltages in the bios? I flashed the bios and there is nothing i can adjust there. Any help would be appreciated. I am running windows xp but that cant be the problem could it?
Thank You, Ryan
March 31st, 2010 at 10:40 am
Great info/walkthrough. Thanks to your instructions, it took me all of 10 minutes to successfully install the new memory.
Thanks
March 24th, 2010 at 5:58 pm
To answer the question above,
I would contact your closest dealer to see if your computer will accpet new DDR memory or refer to your user manual to see what the specifications are , or the lenovo website.
to answer your question , I have a t40 laptop that I aquired from a company, before or after i worked for IBM cant remember, but the laptop i use has 512mb or ram – smaller HDD on board video and it runs windows 7 fine. was a small problem locating the sound drivers and the wifi drivers but worked non the less. Good luck and go for gold.
March 12th, 2010 at 7:45 pm
I have the same problem. I have two 1gb ram and it works fine when used single. However, if I use the two at same time computer crashes. Anybody know solution to this?
I was under impression that T41 max is 2gb. Maybe not?
March 10th, 2010 at 2:29 am
I have the same problem as mentioned in post# 57
“My T42 does the same – Pulled both 512 modules. Tried booting with (2) 1GB PC2700 333 modules, no go. Each 1Gb Module works in each slot. Each 1GB module works along with one of the old 512’s (for a total of 1.5GB)…. but can’t get the (2) 1Gb to work together!! UGGGHH
(Laptop turns on, fan spins, battery light eventually turns amber, no video)”
i have another T42, both where bought at the same time. the other one has no problem booing with both modules installed using BIOS 3.16! I tried all versions from 3.16 to 3.23…nothing worked. Anyone any idea?
February 20th, 2010 at 2:35 pm
Great directions! I have a T42 and I’m having trouble removing the screws. I have tried all different sizes of the Phillips Screwdriver, but upon a closer look, the screw seems to need a screwdriver with a square-ish tip. Do you know what screwdriver I need? I googled, but it seemed to tell me to get a flat tip screwdriver which I don’t think would work. Also, it seems like there are only 3 screws that need to be removed for the T42. Is that right? Thanks in advance for your help!
January 25th, 2010 at 1:34 pm
Jeff,
Make sure the old memory module is connected correctly and seated all the way down into the slot. Try reconnecting the memory module.
January 25th, 2010 at 1:31 pm
Great instructions, thanks. I tried to upgrade the back cover RAM, but the card I have is a tiny bit too big. When I put the original RAM back in, I went to start the laprop up and nothing is happening. No lights, no beeps, nothing. Tried taking RAM out and starting, nothing.
Any ideas?
Thanks
January 23rd, 2010 at 6:20 am
Hi Laptop Tech, thanks for the great tutorial! Excellent step by step instructions!
I have a T40, model 2373 with 512MB RAM installed under the keyboard. I have purchased 2 x 1GB DDR333 SO-DIMM PC2700. I have replace the 512MB with a 1GB and also installed the other 1GB from the bottom of the laptop. When trying to start the laptop the screen is only black and the laptop does not boot.
I have tried to swich the 1GB’s with same result. I have also checked each 1GB’s individually and both are working properly. When I replace one of th 1GB’s with the old 512MB it works fine. I was under the impression that I could install 2 x 1GB on my T40…?
Any idea what could be wrong?!
Thanks,
Erik
January 5th, 2010 at 10:20 am
franky,
Here’s the link for IBM/Lenovo hardware maintenance manuals.
Download HMM for your laptop. You’ll find instructions for replacing the motherboard in there.
January 4th, 2010 at 7:31 pm
Hi… All,
I have IBM T40 and it’s always hanging and to hard for startup too.. I’ve already replaced the hard disk and the memory but always same problem. I assumed that it’s motherboard problem.
I need somebody to help me to teach me how to remove the motherboard with another one…
hopefully, somebody can answer and help me..
Thanks,
Franky
December 30th, 2009 at 9:51 am
Tom,
Not sure what’s going on. I guess one of the new memory modules could be defective. Try installing new memory modules one by one in different slots. Try starting the laptop with each module installed separately. Can you start the laptop with only one 1GB module installed?
Run Memtest86+ and test both modules.
December 29th, 2009 at 10:38 am
I have a IBM T42. has a total of 768MB mem. I picked up 2X1GB mem, installed it properly and the machine locks up while XP is loading usually right after the “welcome” comes on the screen. The bio is showing 2gb installed. Any idea why it is locking. My bios is the up to date.
December 27th, 2009 at 7:52 pm
I changed the memory in my T42 and now am having trouble with my screen going in and out I removed nothing but the keyboard.
November 14th, 2009 at 12:40 pm
Lida,
There are many different brands out there. I cannot recommend any particular brand. If you buy a brand new hard drive, it shouldn’t really matter who makes it.
The new memory module should be detected and configured automatically. No additional steps needed.
November 14th, 2009 at 8:19 am
What harddrive do you recommend? Will the computer automatically recognize the new memory or are there additional steps once the memory is installed?
November 7th, 2009 at 10:38 pm
Tracey,
These days you can purchase laptop memory everywhere. In a local electronics store or Internet.
If you have more money than time, go to the store.
If you are ready to wait for a few days, buy it online.
All you need to know is the memory size and type.
I guess you want to get 1GB module. Search for 1GB PC2700 SODIMM.
November 7th, 2009 at 7:23 pm
Glad to hear you like the IBM T42…I have one and love it but like Roy, its running slower and I’m thinking of upgrading the memory as while I can afford a new laptop…I don’t want to trade in my thinkpad..love the size and everything about it…except the speed!
Can you recommend where to purchase and what specific memory disks I might need? I’d like to do like you mentioned and do the 1GB +512 MB but having never purchased them before don’t know where to start.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:25 pm
Roy,
I have a ThinkPad T42 myself and really like this laptop. I have 1.5 GB RAM installed (1GB + 512MB). Vista runs pretty smoothly and I believe Windows 7 will run even better, haven’t tried it yet on this laptop. Go with 2GB if you can.
I believe you can safely upgrade to a 120GB hard drive and maybe even 160GB drive.
It’s up to you, but I really like my ThinkPad laptop.
October 25th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Hi, i have an T42 and my laptop has 512 ram and 60Gb of hard disks space. I had this laptop since 2005 and now after all these years the computer has become slow, i like my laptop because its small and light weight. Now i would like to know if i upgrade the ram to 1 or 2 GB would i be able to run smoothly windows 7 or vista, and is there any way i could also change my hard drive. would it be worth it or should i just buy a new laptop.