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    Any problem if XP co-exists with Turbo Memory?

    Discussion in 'Lenovo' started by MDDZ, May 15, 2008.

  1. MDDZ

    MDDZ Notebook Deity

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    I am planning to buy another T61 with Vista business, 1GB Turbo Memory, plus Lenovo's free Genuine Windows XP Professional Downgrade DVD.

    I am going to use the XP DVD to downgrade the system from Windows Vista to Windows XP and so my system will have XP plus 1GB Turbo Memory.

    Is there any problem if a system has XP with 1GB Turbo Memory? If the Turbo Memory is simply useless, it will be fine with me since I will move to Vista later.

    Can somebody out there confirm?

    Cheers!
     
    MDDZ, May 15, 2008
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  2. ChevyNovaLN

    ChevyNovaLN Notebook Consultant

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    From everything I've been reading about Turbo Memory, the benefits are neglegable. I wouldn't even bother getting it. That being said, it also does not hurt to have Turbo Memory installed while running Windows XP. I have not yet seen anyone post anything on the web about a way to actually disable the Turbo Memory in the bios, so XP will still see it as a device in the device manager, and leave the ! next to it. I believe IBM/Lenovo makes a utility to make the already disabled device NOT have the ! next to it so it makes you feel all warm 'n fuzzy when your device manager is clean.

    Short answer: Nope, won't hurt a thing.

    EDIT: Here's the Utility http://www-307.ibm.com/pc/support/site.wss/MIGR-68244.html
     
    ChevyNovaLN, May 16, 2008
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  3. Surfer666

    Surfer666 Notebook Consultant

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    Do you really need Turbo Memory for Vista? I mean from what I hear its way better to get more RAM (probably cost the same too)
     
    Surfer666, May 16, 2008
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  4. MaxGeek

    MaxGeek Notebook Evangelist

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    Honestly don't bother. Pick up 4GB of Ram for $60-$70 and be done with it. Turbo Memory doesn't make a noticeable difference.

    It won't cause problems with XP. XP doesn't know what to do with it and so does nothing.
     
    MaxGeek, May 16, 2008
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  5. MDDZ

    MDDZ Notebook Deity

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    ChevyNovaLN,

    Thank you, thank you, and thank you!

    Regards.
     
    MDDZ, May 16, 2008
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  6. MDDZ

    MDDZ Notebook Deity

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    MaxGeek,

    I never used Vista or Turbo Memory. Just a quick question. Can I specify which files to load and stay in Turbo Memory?

    Thanks!
     
    MDDZ, May 16, 2008
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  7. MDDZ

    MDDZ Notebook Deity

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    Surfer666, I already have 4GB ram on my current T61. I like the idea of loading some files faster. I just want to know whether I can ask Turbo Memory to load certain files I very often I need. If it is up to the machine to decide which files to load, then I dont need it.

    Thanks.
     
    MDDZ, May 16, 2008
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  8. sgogeta4

    sgogeta4 Notebook Nobel Laureate

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    Turbo memory would not boost speed if you have 4GB of memory; in fact, it might slow it down a little. In theory, the concept is good, but the implentation is still undeveloped.
     
    sgogeta4, May 16, 2008
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  9. ChevyNovaLN

    ChevyNovaLN Notebook Consultant

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    The machine decides in some automagical way. Microsoft hasn't told anyone how it decides what to cache and it changes based on how you use your computer. I was reading something last night after this was posted originally(see link below) and there is no configurable options for Turbo Memory, in fact the only 2 options you see in the Turbo Memory control panel that Intel made is to Enable the Windows ReadyBoost (check box) and to enable the Windows ReadyDrive (another checkbox), which you should NEVER touch.

    See this article. They have gone into some good detail:
    http://www.anandtech.com/printarticle.aspx?i=3009
     
    ChevyNovaLN, May 16, 2008
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  10. MDDZ

    MDDZ Notebook Deity

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    Brian, I really appreciate your input on this. I will not buy Turbo Memory if I buy another T61.

    Thanks!
     
    MDDZ, May 17, 2008
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  11. ChevyNovaLN

    ChevyNovaLN Notebook Consultant

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    No problem! I love these forums and i'm here to help. Besides, if you hadn't asked i wouldn't have looked and i'm now smarter for it. hehe
     
    ChevyNovaLN, May 17, 2008
    #11