Has my Laptop previously been Vmodded?

[Reflex1]

OKAY i got a real strange case, i think my laptops been previously been vmodded. i bought it used and 'Defective', now ive fixed it and its stable with 1 so-dimm RAM module. But with 2 RAM modules it doesnt post.

IMO i think 1 of the dimm slots has a vdimm of 3.4v (cuz there is a sticker on the vdimm saying 3.4v). and the other dimm is standard 2.5v. now if this is true ...then obviously a RAM module in the 3.4v dimm slot wont post.

take a look at these pix, can somebody tell me if this laptops been vmodded? or if this is standard ...it looks weird to me, but its a great soldering job so im really not sure, if it has been vmodded, it would explain why if i put a RAM module in that 3.4v slot, it doesnt post:

do you guys see that resistor thats been placed diagonally? (it looks suspicious to me) should i remove this resistor? and that wire? and how do i check the vdimm of each individual dimm slot? (i have a multimeter) :stick:

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35928&stc=1

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35929&stc=1

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35931&stc=1

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35930&stc=1

http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=35932&stc=1

[persivore]

With desktop motherboards, the voltage supply rails for the Vdimm are connected together, so its not possible to independantly adjust the voltage for each Dimm socket. I would assume that it would be the same for a laptop.

If the Vdimm had been modded, I would still expect the board to still post with RAM in the 'defective' slot. The problem is probably something to do with the memory controler for the defective slot, which probably isn't repairable.

Also, the sticker on the RAM socket says V3.4, which sounds like some sort of revision number, and not a voltage rating, unless I'm missing something :confused: .

[IYP]

yeah you wouldent be able to have the voltage of each sodimm slot be adjusted indapendantly its definatly a problem with your mem controler....as for testing the voltages just in case....im not sure of the procedure for SOdimms...sorry

[Reflex1]

hmm, lucky i didnt unsolder that chip then ...im n00b :rolleyes:

it still looks suspicious to me ...

ive tested both so-dimms RAM sticks and they both work ...so there is def. something wrong with that 1 dimm slot (or mem controller for that dimm). it posts with 2 sticks ...but then almost instantly crashes when loading windows.

[Ugly n Grey]

It wouldn't be the frist time I've seen a piece of wire on a mobo to correct a defficiency not caught in QA, that's for sure...

[Holst]

It wouldn't be the frist time I've seen a piece of wire on a mobo to correct a defficiency not caught in QA, that's for sure...

Yep, this is very common indeed, especially with "real" OEM kit that the general public shouldnt see.

I doubt your laptop is Vmodded, The memory slots will both be the same voltages as they would both be sourced from the same supply. Ithink that sticker is just version 3.4.

Are you sure that the other slot is not for some other type of ram? Or something that manufacuter might have used as a cost saving measure?

[Reflex1]

Yep, this is very common indeed, especially with "real" OEM kit that the general public shouldnt see.

I doubt your laptop is Vmodded, The memory slots will both be the same voltages as they would both be sourced from the same supply. Ithink that sticker is just version 3.4.

Are you sure that the other slot is not for some other type of ram? Or something that manufacuter might have used as a cost saving measure?
what you mean, different type ram slots? ...they are both DDR so-dimm slots. PC2100. there were 2x256 DDR, but it will only POST with 1 dimm in it.