Ram upgrade causes black screen but dmidecode command indicates is possible do upgrade

Hardware
1

Hello Friends

I did do an upgrade for 3 laptops about RAM, 2 of them have Linux (Ubuntu and Peppermint) and was executed the dmidecode command, for a HP according with its official specs the max capacity is 8GB but the dmidecode command indicated 16GB, so with that information was upgraded in peace to 16GB

Now for an old Acer Aspire One:

  • KAV60 LO3 (according with the slot for the RAM)

The same dmidecode command indicates the following:

sudo dmidecode -t memory
# dmidecode 3.3
Getting SMBIOS data from sysfs.
SMBIOS 2.4 present.

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 5, 20 bytes
Memory Controller Information
	Error Detecting Method: None
	Error Correcting Capabilities:
		None
	Supported Interleave: One-way Interleave
	Current Interleave: One-way Interleave
	Maximum Memory Module Size: 2048 MB
	Maximum Total Memory Size: 4096 MB
	Supported Speeds:
		Other
	Supported Memory Types:
		Other
	Memory Module Voltage: Unknown
	Associated Memory Slots: 2
		0x0000
		0x0000
	Enabled Error Correcting Capabilities:
		None

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
	Location: System Board Or Motherboard
	Use: System Memory
	Error Correction Type: None
	Maximum Capacity: 4 GB
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Number Of Devices: 1

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 6, 12 bytes
Memory Module Information
	Socket Designation: J2
	Bank Connections: 0 0
	Current Speed: 1 ns
	Type: DIMM
	Installed Size: 2048 MB (Single-bank Connection)
	Enabled Size: 2048 MB (Single-bank Connection)
	Error Status: OK

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
	Array Handle: 0x0016
	Error Information Handle: Not Provided
	Total Width: 64 bits
	Data Width: 64 bits
	Size: 2 GB
	Form Factor: DIMM
	Set: None
	Locator: J2
	Bank Locator: CHAN A DIMM 0
	Type: DDR2
	Type Detail: Synchronous
	Speed: 533 MT/s
	Manufacturer: 0x0000000000000000
	Serial Number: 0x00000000
	Asset Tag: Unknown
	Part Number: 0x000000000000000000000000000000000000

Well I bought this RAM

But sadly when the laptop is started it remains with the black screen.

The removed stick is:

#
# Box
#
Golden Memory
GM800D2S6/2G
2GB PC2-6400 CL6 200-Pin SODIMM

#
# Sticker in the RAM itself
#
GM800D2S6/2G
DDR2 200 PIN SODIMM 1.8V

What would be possible to do to get working this 4GB in peace?

1 Like
2

Sounds like either a faulty or unsupported stick of ram. I had a little mini Acer PC do the same thing, trying to install a stick I already had, had to finally order a match set from Amazon.
If it has more than one stick you can try and pull one stick at a time and see if the PC will boot.

2 Likes
3

I agree with Daniel
Go back to the original memory and check it still boots as normal
Then one by one try each memory stick in single mode to check each one works
Once checked then try the 2 together
If the original spec said smaller then perhaps that is the real limit imposed by the manufacture
With linux no real need for the maximum amount 8 would be fine in most applications

2 Likes
4

Thanks for the reply

The original stick was 1GB and worked, it was upgraded to 2GB and work in peace too. The situation is with this one of 4GB … Yes, I already returned to 2GB and works fine. It to have functional the laptop

I assumed that perhaps a BIOS upgrade would help more.

Observation The laptop only has 1 slot

5

My goodness, how old is this laptop? I can run faster than 1 or 2 gig of ram, I expect a bios upgrade is the least of your worries!!!

6

The laptop belonged to my sister, now is mine and running with Peppermint OS 32 bits. If my memory does not fail me it was available in the market in my country around 2008-2010

I assumed that a BIOS upgrade would help … in some places in the web I read that as a suggestion that is possible to help the laptop “recognize” more hardware through a BIOS upgrade

7

I rest my case, you are lucky it still runs!!! Linux cannot fix the impossible, and it is not worth spending a lot of money, if it run’s then use it as it is.

1 Like
8

Dont try the bios upgrade think you are heading into difficulty with a machine 9f that age
If it works with 2 gb and you are running a light-weight linus system then it should be fine. That is all i have in my own netbook from a similar time.
If you spot another 4gb later to test may be ok but suspect not.

2 Likes
9

Probably a 32bit machine running Windows XP and 1 gig of ram, and most likely ran just fine. In todays world that hardware is way out of date.

10

My 32bit former xp is running mint 32 lmde no problems on 2 gb
Solution is not to expect too much such as multi tasking, although mine is still ok running dreamweaver, chromium and email client together

11

OK,try to compile Gentoo on that machine.

12

Originally it had WIndows XP 32 bits (I think a special edition too) and 1GB of RAM
Currently was upgrated to 2GB of RAM and moved to Linux Peppermint.

Now because the dmidecode command indicated it can support 4GB well … now I am in this situation …

I have a SSD to improve the speed in general and mostly because I want to take the advantage to use it as central storage for the LAN too.

So my ideal scenario is 4GB + 1TB SSD, the former is the problem right now.