Help with mapping RAM addresses

10up · Feb 22, 2013

I really hope someone here can help me. I registered at the suggestion of a friend on xbox. Speccy at end showing system specs.

I've been trying to install windows 7 64bit on my system for awhile without success. I always get most of the way through the installation and after the third restart, I get a blank white screen and mouse cursor. After days of switching video cards, reading google threads, etc. I found this thread:

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/w7itproui/thread/db44f451-f531-4553-96b7-b29e5388613e

It suggests there is an issue with the AMD 690g chipset and mapping addresses over 2gb of RAM. Upon hearing this I removed all but 2gb of RAM, and Voila! What was the "corrupt" windows install hanging at white screen, now boots perfectly with just 2GB of RAM.

The solution seems to be start>msconfig>boot>advanced options - and then checking the Memory box, manually entering the correct amount of RAM in the box, saving, and restarting.

I don't know how to do this in my situation. Right now I'm booting off a 32bit Win7 install that I've put on the first HDD. The installation of Windows 7 64 resides on the SSD. I can't add the RAM while the computer is on..

Anybody have any experience with this? Any suggestions? Thanks

Smoove910 · Feb 22, 2013

sounds like you need to update your BIOS, but you didn't put the system model #, so I can't link you to it. Here's a link to a modded BIOS for your mobo model #, but am not sure it will work:

http://www.bios-mods.com/forum/archive/index.php?thread-1246.html

10up · Feb 22, 2013

system Model #?

Would that be Acer M5100?

I listed the speccy which gives the MOBO and CPU. I didn't know there was more relevant info. I'd be happy to get it if you can help me confirm.

Loading strange bios scares and confuses me, but I will head down that path if I must.

denis280 · Feb 22, 2013

try this http://support.acer-euro.com/drivers/desktop/aspire_m5100.html

10up · Feb 22, 2013

I'm sorry and do what with it?

denis280 · Feb 22, 2013

10up said:
I'm sorry and do what with it?

For drivers and bios update.if there is one.

10up · Feb 22, 2013

oh sorry I should've mentioned, there is no official BIOS update from Acer for the F690gvm board. If it is confirmed to be a BIOS issue I would have to find a custom bios.

It isn't a driver issue that I can tell.

10up · Feb 22, 2013

I also did manage to boot into the 64 bit OS successfully ONE time. But it immediately "reverted" after restart.

Here are the steps I took:

-Removed all but 2gb of RAM

-System booted normally, ran "msconfig" as admin

-checked box for "maximum memory" and attempted to change the number in the second box from 2048 to 6144.

- - At this point I notice that regardless of what number I enter, as I click okay to exit that window, it reverts back to 2048 every time. I kept the box for Maximum memory checked however.

-Applied changes. Shutdown (not restart)

-Physically added back the extra 4GB of RAM

-System booted Normally again!

Unfortunately, although in "system information" it showed 6GB of RAM total it only listed 2GB as "usable".

I attempted the msconfig trick again, hoping I could get it to stay with 6144 in the number box now that it at least recognized the extra RAM. It did! I hit apply, and double-checked, it had stayed at 6144 without reverting. Upon restart I was presented with the same old whitescreen again though.

denis280 · Feb 22, 2013

10up said:
System booted normally, ran "msconfig" as admin

msconfig is only for OS setting.you have to get in BIOS to set the memory.

Smoove910 · Feb 23, 2013

if you are running a 32-bit system, it could be hardcoded in the BIOS to only use less than 4gb of ram since 32-bits can't address anything over 3.25gb. This is probably why you are seeing the white screen... If I read the post correctly, you are trying to install W7-64 bit? If so, you may have to try installing with 2gb of ram. If you've tried this, then I think it would revert back to me saying that it's hardcoded in the BIOS to only use less than 3.25gb without error. (Which can only be resolved with a BIOS update)

Hope that makes sense...

10up · Feb 23, 2013

Smoove910 said:
if you are running a 32-bit system, it could be hardcoded in the BIOS to only use less than 4gb of ram since 32-bits can't address anything over 3.25gb. This is probably why you are seeing the white screen... If I read the post correctly, you are trying to install W7-64 bit? If so, you may have to try installing with 2gb of ram. If you've tried this, then I think it would revert back to me saying that it's hardcoded in the BIOS to only use less than 3.25gb without error. (Which can only be resolved with a BIOS update)

Hope that makes sense...

if the end point was "you need a bios update" then yes, it made sense.

Bubbaleone · Feb 23, 2013

system Model #?

Would that be Acer M5100?

If you are in fact talking about the Aspire M5100; the specs on the Acer website state that the motherboard supports up to 8 GBs dual-channel DDR2 800/667/533 MHz RAM, and Vista 64bit. Which makes me wonder why you're running 3x2 GBs in a dual-channel system, and why it's only running at 315MHz? (Mis-matched memory or the wrong memory settings in BIOS can cause multiple problems) What are the specs for the memory modules you have currently installed?

denis280 · Feb 23, 2013

Bubbaleone said:
If you are in fact talking about the Aspire M5100; the specs on the Acer website state that the motherboard supports up to 8 GBs dual-channel DDR2 800/667/533 MHz RAM, and Vista 64bit. Which makes me wonder why you're running 3x2 GBs in a dual-channel system, and why it's only running at 315MHz? (Mis-matched memory or the wrong memory settings in BIOS can cause multiple problems) What are the specs for the memory modules you have currently installed?

Miss that?? :thumbsup::thumbsup:

VirtualLarry · Feb 23, 2013

As I remember, the 690G chipset did have some bugs, but I thought that those bugs had to do with DMA transfers to addresses above the 4GB line. Thus those boards would have some issues with 64-bit OSes, and things like video-capture cards.

I was not aware that they simply wouldn't work with 64-bit OSes with more than 4GB of RAM period.

I think that possibly, one of your RAM sticks is bad. Have you tried each RAM stick individually, and running a RAM test on it?

10up · Mar 1, 2013

sorry, hoping to revive this thread. I was in the middle of a move back to Denver which I've now completed. I'm still interested in solving this issue.

I will have time this weekend to individually test my RAM sticks. It's just RAM that I pulled out of other computers that finally would allow it to post. Out of a pretty big stack it didn't like very many of them for whatever reason.

In case it is of any use here is the speccy output for all of the slots in text:

Code:

RAM
		Memory slots
			Total memory slots	4
			Used memory slots	4
			Free memory slots	0
		Memory
			Type	DDR2
			Size	6144 MBytes
			Channels #	Dual
			DRAM Frequency	315.9 MHz
			CAS# Latency (CL)	5 clocks
			RAS# to CAS# Delay (tRCD)	5 clocks
			RAS# Precharge (tRP)	5 clocks
			Cycle Time (tRAS)	15 clocks
			Bank Cycle Time (tRC)	21 clocks
			Command Rate (CR)	2T
		Physical Memory
			Memory Usage	40 %
			Total Physical	3.25 GB
			Available Physical	1.94 GB
			Total Virtual	6.50 GB
			Available Virtual	4.92 GB
		SPD
			Number Of SPD Modules	4
				Slot #1
					Type	DDR2
					Size	2048 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Avant Technology
					Max Bandwidth	PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	333.3 MHz
							CAS# Latency	5.0
							RAS# To CAS#	6
							RAS# Precharge	6
							tRAS	16
							tRC	21
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	266.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	4.0
							RAS# To CAS#	4
							RAS# Precharge	4
							tRAS	12
							tRC	16
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	200.0 MHz
							CAS# Latency	3.0
							RAS# To CAS#	3
							RAS# Precharge	3
							tRAS	9
							tRC	12
							Voltage	1.800 V
				Slot #2
					Type	DDR2
					Size	2048 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Transcend Information
					Max Bandwidth	PC2-6400 (400 MHz)
					Part Number	JM800QLU-2G
					Serial Number	0007CAB3
					Week/year	40 / 08
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	400.0 MHz
							CAS# Latency	5.0
							RAS# To CAS#	5
							RAS# Precharge	5
							tRAS	18
							tRC	23
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	266.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	4.0
							RAS# To CAS#	4
							RAS# Precharge	4
							tRAS	12
							tRC	16
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	200.0 MHz
							CAS# Latency	3.0
							RAS# To CAS#	3
							RAS# Precharge	3
							tRAS	9
							tRC	12
							Voltage	1.800 V
				Slot #3
					Type	DDR2
					Size	1024 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Samsung
					Max Bandwidth	PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
					Part Number	M3 78T2863DZS-CE6
					Serial Number	54123560
					Week/year	10 / 08
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	333.3 MHz
							CAS# Latency	5.0
							RAS# To CAS#	6
							RAS# Precharge	6
							tRAS	16
							tRC	21
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	266.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	4.0
							RAS# To CAS#	4
							RAS# Precharge	4
							tRAS	12
							tRC	16
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	200.0 MHz
							CAS# Latency	3.0
							RAS# To CAS#	3
							RAS# Precharge	3
							tRAS	9
							tRC	12
							Voltage	1.800 V
				Slot #4
					Type	DDR2
					Size	1024 MBytes
					Manufacturer	Samsung
					Max Bandwidth	PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
					Part Number	M3 78T2863DZS-CE6
					Serial Number	5412350A
					Week/year	10 / 08
					SPD Ext.	EPP
						JEDEC #3
							Frequency	333.3 MHz
							CAS# Latency	5.0
							RAS# To CAS#	6
							RAS# Precharge	6
							tRAS	16
							tRC	21
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #2
							Frequency	266.7 MHz
							CAS# Latency	4.0
							RAS# To CAS#	4
							RAS# Precharge	4
							tRAS	12
							tRC	16
							Voltage	1.800 V
						JEDEC #1
							Frequency	200.0 MHz
							CAS# Latency	3.0
							RAS# To CAS#	3
							RAS# Precharge	3
							tRAS	9
							tRC	12
							Voltage	1.800 V

Bubbaleone · Mar 1, 2013

OK; now I see how you got 6 GB of RAM ( I thought you were running 3x2 GB); with the 2 GB @ 333.3 MHz + 2 GB @ 400 MHz + 1 GB @ 333.3 MHz + 1 GB @ 333.3 MHz slot configuration.

You're current mis-matched memory configuration may allow the board to boot; but that's about it. Your board specs only support dual-channel mode when all four slots are filled with matching RAM. I'd suggest looking around for four matching sticks of DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) x 2 GB, if you want to successfully run 64 bit Windows.

Regarding an updated BIOS flash: The original BIOS for the Acer Aspire M5100 is version R01-A1. BIOS-Mods forum offers a newer fully unlocked and tested M5100 BIOS version R02-B1 (download link is from the forum Administrator in post #4 on that page). Be sure you understand how to use the awdflash utility before flashing your old BIOS.

cubby1223 · Mar 1, 2013

10up said:
sorry, hoping to revive this thread. I was in the middle of a move back to Denver which I've now completed. I'm still interested in solving this issue.

I will have time this weekend to individually test my RAM sticks. It's just RAM that I pulled out of other computers that finally would allow it to post. Out of a pretty big stack it didn't like very many of them for whatever reason.

In case it is of any use here is the speccy output for all of the slots in text:

You need to run all identical memory sticks. Non-matching memory sticks work in many situations but not in all situations.

10up · Mar 1, 2013

okay so the consensus now is that my RAM itself doesn't play well with the 64bit OS? Hence it* (Win7 64) booting with just the 2gb (2x1gb Samsung above) of RAM in?

It makes sense. Is it recommended I NOT flash the custom BIOS until I fix the RAM issue?

cubby1223 · Mar 1, 2013

10up said:
okay so the consensus now is that my RAM itself doesn't play well with the 64bit OS? Hence it* (Win7 64) booting with just the 2gb (2x1gb Samsung above) of RAM in?

It makes sense. Is it recommended I NOT flash the custom BIOS until I fix the RAM issue?

The first thing to correct is make sure all the memory sticks in your machine are identical to each other. Same brand, same model, same speed ratings.

This has nothing to do with the operating system.

Have the 2x1gb samsung memory sticks in the computer, install the 64-bit version of Windows 7, and when you obtain a matching pair of larger capacity ram, swap them into the system replacing the Samsung memory.

Bubbaleone · Mar 1, 2013

10up said:
okay so the consensus now is that my RAM itself doesn't play well with the 64bit OS? Hence it* (Win7 64) booting with just the 2gb (2x1gb Samsung above) of RAM in?

It makes sense. Is it recommended I NOT flash the custom BIOS until I fix the RAM issue?

The BIOS I linked for you has all settings unlocked; meaning you'll be able to access all the settings (voltage, multipliers, timing, etc.) that aren't even available in the current BIOS. You can flash the modded BIOS now if you'd like, but installing 8 GB of matching RAM should be your priority.

.

denis280 · Mar 1, 2013

Bubbaleone said:
The BIOS I linked for you has all settings unlocked; meaning you'll be to access all the settings (voltage, multipliers, timing, etc.) that aren't even available in the current BIOS. You can flash the modded BIOS now if you'd like, but installing 8 GB of matching RAM should be your priority.

Yes i second that:thumbsup:

rcauvin · May 24, 2015

I have had the same problem with my Acer Aspire M5100 and am wondering what the outcome of these experiments was.

I have Windows 7 Pro 64 bit installed along with 8GB of RAM (as four identical 2GB sticks).

I boot into a white screen, but it seems to solely be a video driver issue, because I can still control the machine by typing "blindly". For example, I can log in and reboot the machine while the screen is white.

I used the msconfig tool to set the maximum addressable memory to 4096, and everything works fine (with no white screen, but obviously with < 4GB of usable RAM).

I spent at least twelve hours trying to find an updated or hacked video driver but couldn't find one that worked. For the BIOS, I haven't tried anything other than the original one.

I'm curious what others have experienced when installing an updated BIOS on this machine.

Ketchup · May 24, 2015

I have run into this issue before when trying to run Vista-era ATI cards with Windows 7. Sometimes they upgrade, sometimes they don't. There are links on the web to x1200 drivers that work with 7, but with my experience YMMV. The trick would be to get Windows to boot not knowing what the video card is probably an uninstall from device manager in safe mode) and go from there.

In these situations I find that the best thing to do is a clean install with Vista, and then upgrade to 7 from there.

rcauvin · May 24, 2015

ketchup79 said:
There are links on the web to x1200 drivers that work with 7, but with my experience YMMV.

Would you share some of these links? I spent a nearly sleepless night trying to find X1200 drivers that work with Windows 7 and > 4GB of RAM but could not find any.

As I mentioned, my machine is running fine now with the Vista drivers, but I had to throttle my machine to 4GB of addressable RAM.

Ketchup · May 24, 2015

Sure,
https://us.driverscollection.com/?H=Radeon X1200&By=ATI&SS=Windows 7 64-bit
http://support.amd.com/en-us/download/desktop/legacy?product=Legacy1&os=Windows Vista - 64
(listed as vista 64, but may work)
Just remember these are somewhat blind searches, so they may/may not work perfectly.

Help with mapping RAM addresses

Junior Member

Golden Member

Junior Member

Diamond Member

Junior Member

Diamond Member

Junior Member

Junior Member

Diamond Member

Golden Member

Junior Member

Golden Member

Diamond Member

No Lifer

Junior Member

Golden Member

Lifer

Junior Member

Lifer

Golden Member

Diamond Member

Junior Member

Elite Member

Junior Member

Elite Member