[Pc_Support] Re: ATT: Bryan Smith - Ram compatibility with i440BX in Toshiba Satellite 4090XCDT

[Bryan J. Smith]

On Thu, 2005-08-04 at 03:19 +0000, Dale Barber wrote:
> Hi Bryan,
> I found a posting by you back in 2002 about the i440BX memory capability. I 
> hope you don't mind me mailing you directly but I figured you could throw 
> some light on my problem.
> I've also posted this request on the forum at www.wimsbios.com
> My Toshiba Satellite 4090XCDT is severely memory challenged even with the 
> maximum manufacturers specified memory installed, this being 64MB internal + 
> 128MB sodimm = 192MB total.
> Since the i440BX chipset in this notebook is theoretically capable of 
> handling MUCH more memory ie 4 x 256MB, I've tried installing a number of 
> different types of 256MB sodimms, including a Micron MT16LSDF3264HG-10E 
> module which is a 16 chip low density module with 4K refresh, which is 
> essential according to Intel's i440BX spec sheet, and uses a max of 
> 128Mb=16Mx8 bit 4 bank chip technology in two module ranks....but still the 
> laptop won't boot.

64/128MB [SO-]DIMM configurations are all that will work with the 8-bit
wide ICs.  The i440BX is not capable of 256Mbit technology, hence why
the 8-bit wide ICs won't do.

You have to use 32 chip x 4-bit wide ICs in a _registered_ DIMM
configuration for 256MB.  AFAIK, nobody makes those other than DIMMs for
servers (and they are typically 36x4-bit with ECC).

Which is where the real irony comes in.  i440BX and i810/815 use
completely _different_ 256MB DIMMs.  32x4-bit (36x4-bit for ECC) for
i440BX, 16x8 for i810 or 16x8 or 8x16 for i815.

> Can you advise me here? Is the BIOS possibly limiting the maximum memory to 
> 192MB....if so, do 3rd party patched BIOSes exist to increase this to 
> 64+256=320MB ? I'm currently running Toshiba's latest BIOS V8.2.
> I've consulted the "i440BX RAM Compatibility FAQ" but still I'm stuck at 
> 192MB !
> Do you know of anyone who has successfully installed more memory? I'd really 
> appreciate any light you can throw on this issue.
> Cheers...Dale


-- 
Bryan J. Smith     b.j.smith at ieee.org     http://thebs413.blogspot.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The best things in life are NOT free - which is why life is easiest if
you save all the bills until you can share them with the perfect woman