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    Internal RAM broken (Panasonic Y5)

    Discussion in 'Panasonic' started by PanasonicCF-Y5, Mar 16, 2008.

  1. PanasonicCF-Y5

    PanasonicCF-Y5 Newbie

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    Hi there,

    I bought a Panasonic CF-Y5LW8AXR in Japan (like Toughbook Y5) about a year ago. It worked very well until one week ago, when it failed to start windows XP. The "PC-Diagnostic utility" (hit Ctrl-F7 during startup) reports that the RAM is broken. I removed the additional 512MB RAM and run the diagnostic utility again, same problem. Other memory tests report the same problem.
    While additional RAM is easily inserted/replaced, the internal RAM is soldered to the main-board. It's 512MB DDR2 SDRAM 266Mhz and consists of 4 Samsung K4T511630C-ZCD5, probably ball grid array (BGA), as I don't see the solder pins.

    1.) Does anyone know, if I can disable the internal RAM and only use the additional RAM? (by software or jumper etc.)
    2.) Has anyone experience in replacing this kind of RAM chips? What tools do I need for this operation? And: is there really no other way? :(

    Thanks
     
    PanasonicCF-Y5, Mar 16, 2008
    #1
  2. pixelot

    pixelot Notebook Acolyte

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    Same thing happened to my previous laptop. AFAIK the only way to replace it is to replace the motherboard. :( But I may be wrong...
     
    pixelot, Mar 16, 2008
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  3. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    Well, I've NEVER heard of a manufacturer making a mainboard so that you can turn OFF built-in RAM, but...

    IN THEORY... you could use a hot air rework station like I have to remove the old soldered on chips. But to solder new ones back on, you pretty much need Panasonic's factory. Well, not the WHOLE factory, just the part where they prep the BGA chips for soldering and the special infrared jig they use for the actual process. Got a couple million dollars to throw at the project?

    Sorry to be the bearer of bad news... but it looks like you've got terminal mainboard failure. Unless you have some time left on your warranty, you're pretty much gonna have to bite the bullet & get a new one, or replace the laptop.

    mnem
    Ouch...
     
    mnementh, Mar 16, 2008
    #3
  4. pappy42

    pappy42 Notebook Evangelist

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    Mnem,
    At the risk of invoking the ire of the dell OT fairy; how much do you think it would cost to replace the MB in a CF-29. I don't need one (I hope), I'm just curious.
     
    pappy42, Mar 16, 2008
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  5. mnementh

    mnementh Crusty Ol' TinkerDwagon

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    I have not the foggiest... I'm CERTAIN that buying a guaranteed good MB will be pretty pricey; but the 29s are pretty pricey to buy as parts units on eBay right now...

    I hate to say it, but... heartlandsi.com.

    mnem
    *Somehow glad I still have my nice, moldy old 28...*
     
    mnementh, Mar 16, 2008
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