slugging toshiba satellite a100 -- RAM upgrade?

aw76 · 01-15-2010, 03:18 AM

Hello, not sure if this is exactly the right place to post this question, but I am assuming someone will be able to help me none the less as it is likely a pretty simple question for someone who knows more that I do about computer hardware and such (likely anyone on this site to be honest)...

I have a Toshiba Satellite A100 computer. It seems to run fairly well, but when I am doing too many things (not anything crazy like graphics or stuff like that) it often bogs down. I have looked at cpu monitors and process monitors and such, but even when its bogged down and almost stalled it doesnt show that the memory or cpu is maxed out....like only 40-60% or so.

I am thinking that I could upgrade my RAM and that would make a big difference for me, but not entirely sure what my current RAM is, and how much I can increase it.

I did notice in one of the outputs something mentioning that my clock was running at 1.7 MHz (ish) but the maximum is 2.?...can i alter that in BIOS with out causing problems?

I also read that my BIOS is upgradeable. Can that be done without affecting the O/S and everything I have on my computer?

Thank you for your anticipated help.

S

SOme information about what I have goin on here.

Ubuntu 9.10
kernel - 2.6.31-18-generic

here is my output from---
:~$ lspci
00:00.0 Host bridge: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/PM/GMS, 943/940GML and 945GT Express Memory Controller Hub (rev 03)
00:02.0 VGA compatible controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:02.1 Display controller: Intel Corporation Mobile 945GM/GMS/GME, 943/940GML Express Integrated Graphics Controller (rev 03)
00:1b.0 Audio device: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) High Definition Audio Controller (rev 02)
00:1c.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 1 (rev 02)
00:1c.1 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 2 (rev 02)
00:1c.2 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) PCI Express Port 3 (rev 02)
00:1d.0 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #1 (rev 02)
00:1d.1 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #2 (rev 02)
00:1d.2 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #3 (rev 02)
00:1d.3 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB UHCI Controller #4 (rev 02)
00:1d.7 USB Controller: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) USB2 EHCI Controller (rev 02)
00:1e.0 PCI bridge: Intel Corporation 82801 Mobile PCI Bridge (rev e2)
00:1f.0 ISA bridge: Intel Corporation 82801GBM (ICH7-M) LPC Interface Bridge (rev 02)
00:1f.2 IDE interface: Intel Corporation 82801GBM/GHM (ICH7 Family) SATA IDE Controller (rev 02)
00:1f.3 SMBus: Intel Corporation 82801G (ICH7 Family) SMBus Controller (rev 02)
05:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 3945ABG [Golan] Network Connection (rev 02)
07:06.0 CardBus bridge: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 Cardbus Controller
07:06.1 FireWire (IEEE 1394): Texas Instruments PCIxx12 OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
07:06.2 Mass storage controller: Texas Instruments 5-in-1 Multimedia Card Reader (SD/MMC/MS/MS PRO/xD)
07:06.3 SD Host controller: Texas Instruments PCIxx12 SDA Standard Compliant SD Host Controller
07:08.0 Ethernet controller: Intel Corporation PRO/100 VE Network Connection (rev 02)

this is what i grabbed from sudo dmidecode---im assuming with my limited knowledge that it is referring to my RAM ?

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 32 bits
Data Width: 32 bits
Size: 512 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: 1
Locator: M1
Bank Locator: Bank 0
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 533 MHz (1.9 ns)
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 32 bits
Data Width: 32 bits
Size: 512 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: 1
Locator: M2
Bank Locator: Bank 1
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 533 MHz (1.9 ns)
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

this is the total output if some other info is needed...

# dmidecode 2.9
SMBIOS 2.4 present.
38 structures occupying 1295 bytes.
Table at 0x000DF010.

Handle 0x0000, DMI type 0, 24 bytes
BIOS Information
Vendor: Phoenix Technologies LTD
Version: 5.10
Release Date: 12/25/2006
Address: 0xE4580
Runtime Size: 113280 bytes
ROM Size: 1024 kB
Characteristics:
ISA is supported
PCI is supported
PC Card (PCMCIA) is supported
PNP is supported
APM is supported
BIOS is upgradeable
BIOS shadowing is allowed
ESCD support is available
Boot from CD is supported
ACPI is supported
USB legacy is supported
AGP is supported
BIOS boot specification is supported
Targeted content distribution is supported

Handle 0x0001, DMI type 1, 27 bytes
System Information
Manufacturer: TOSHIBA
Product Name: Satellite A100
Version: PSAANC-03605C
Serial Number: 27036902Q
UUID: DE4AC280-B254-11DB-A70E-00A0D16B77B3
Wake-up Type: Power Switch
SKU Number: Not Specified
Family: Not Specified

Handle 0x0002, DMI type 2, 8 bytes
Base Board Information
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Product Name: CAPELL VALLEY(NAPA) CRB
Version: Not Applicable
Serial Number: Not Applicable

Handle 0x0003, DMI type 3, 17 bytes
Chassis Information
Manufacturer: No Enclosure
Type: Other
Lock: Not Present
Version: N/A
Serial Number: None
Asset Tag: No Asset Tag
Boot-up State: Safe
Power Supply State: Safe
Thermal State: Safe
Security Status: None
OEM Information: 0x00001234

Handle 0x0004, DMI type 4, 35 bytes
Processor Information
Socket Designation: U2E1
Type: Central Processor
Family: Other
Manufacturer: Intel
ID: EC 06 00 00 FF FB E9 BF
Version: Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo CPU T2
Voltage: 3.3 V
External Clock: Unknown
Max Speed: 2048 MHz
Current Speed: 1730 MHz
Status: Populated, Enabled
Upgrade: ZIF Socket
L1 Cache Handle: 0x0005
L2 Cache Handle: 0x0006
L3 Cache Handle: Not Provided
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0005, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L1 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Socketed, Level 1
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: Internal
Installed Size: 64 KB
Maximum Size: 64 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Burst
Pipeline Burst
Asynchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Asynchronous
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0006, DMI type 7, 19 bytes
Cache Information
Socket Designation: L2 Cache
Configuration: Enabled, Socketed, Level 2
Operational Mode: Write Back
Location: External
Installed Size: 2048 KB
Maximum Size: 4096 KB
Supported SRAM Types:
Burst
Pipeline Burst
Asynchronous
Installed SRAM Type: Burst
Speed: Unknown
Error Correction Type: Unknown
System Type: Unknown
Associativity: Unknown

Handle 0x0007, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J19
Internal Connector Type: 9 Pin Dual Inline (pin 10 cut)
External Reference Designator: COM 1
External Connector Type: DB-9 male
Port Type: Serial Port 16550A Compatible

Handle 0x0008, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: Keyboard
External Connector Type: Circular DIN-8 male
Port Type: Keyboard Port

Handle 0x0009, DMI type 8, 9 bytes
Port Connector Information
Internal Reference Designator: J1A1
Internal Connector Type: None
External Reference Designator: PS/2 Mouse
External Connector Type: Circular DIN-8 male
Port Type: Mouse Port

Handle 0x000A, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Slot J8B1
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: Unknown
Length: Long
ID: 0
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000B, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Slot J9B1
Type: 32-bit PCI
Current Usage: Unknown
Length: Long
ID: 0
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000C, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PEG Slot J6C1
Type: 32-bit PCI Express
Current Usage: Available
Length: Long
ID: 6
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000D, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Express Slot J7C1
Type: 32-bit PCI Express
Current Usage: Available
Length: Long
ID: 8
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000E, DMI type 9, 13 bytes
System Slot Information
Designation: PCI Express Slot J8C1
Type: 32-bit PCI Express
Current Usage: Unknown
Length: Long
ID: 0
Characteristics:
5.0 V is provided
3.3 V is provided

Handle 0x000F, DMI type 10, 6 bytes
On Board Device Information
Type: Sound
Status: Disabled
Description: HD-Audio

Handle 0x0010, DMI type 11, 5 bytes
OEM Strings
String 1: This is the Intel Calistoga
String 2: PSAANC-03605C,S3A6022D001FR

Handle 0x0011, DMI type 12, 5 bytes
System Configuration Options
Option 1: Jumper settings can be described here.

Handle 0x0012, DMI type 15, 29 bytes
System Event Log
Area Length: 16 bytes
Header Start Offset: 0x0000
Header Length: 16 bytes
Data Start Offset: 0x0010
Access Method: General-purpose non-volatile data functions
Access Address: 0x0000
Status: Valid, Not Full
Change Token: 0x00000000
Header Format: Type 1
Supported Log Type Descriptors: 3
Descriptor 1: POST error
Data Format 1: POST results bitmap
Descriptor 2: Single-bit ECC memory error
Data Format 2: Multiple-event
Descriptor 3: Multi-bit ECC memory error
Data Format 3: Multiple-event

Handle 0x0013, DMI type 16, 15 bytes
Physical Memory Array
Location: System Board Or Motherboard
Use: System Memory
Error Correction Type: None
Maximum Capacity: 2 GB
Error Information Handle: Not Provided
Number Of Devices: 2

Handle 0x0014, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 32 bits
Data Width: 32 bits
Size: 512 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: 1
Locator: M1
Bank Locator: Bank 0
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 533 MHz (1.9 ns)
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0015, DMI type 17, 27 bytes
Memory Device
Array Handle: 0x0013
Error Information Handle: No Error
Total Width: 32 bits
Data Width: 32 bits
Size: 512 MB
Form Factor: SODIMM
Set: 1
Locator: M2
Bank Locator: Bank 1
Type: DDR2
Type Detail: Synchronous
Speed: 533 MHz (1.9 ns)
Manufacturer: Not Specified
Serial Number: Not Specified
Asset Tag: Not Specified
Part Number: Not Specified

Handle 0x0016, DMI type 19, 15 bytes
Memory Array Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF
Range Size: 1 GB
Physical Array Handle: 0x0013
Partition Width: 0

Handle 0x0017, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00000000000
Ending Address: 0x0001FFFFFFF
Range Size: 512 MB
Physical Device Handle: 0x0014
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0016
Partition Row Position: Unknown
Interleave Position: Unknown
Interleaved Data Depth: Unknown

Handle 0x0018, DMI type 20, 19 bytes
Memory Device Mapped Address
Starting Address: 0x00020000000
Ending Address: 0x0003FFFFFFF
Range Size: 512 MB
Physical Device Handle: 0x0015
Memory Array Mapped Address Handle: 0x0016
Partition Row Position: Unknown
Interleave Position: Unknown
Interleaved Data Depth: Unknown

Handle 0x0019, DMI type 23, 13 bytes
System Reset
Status: Enabled
Watchdog Timer: Present
Boot Option: Do Not Reboot
Boot Option On Limit: Do Not Reboot
Reset Count: Unknown
Reset Limit: Unknown
Timer Interval: Unknown
Timeout: Unknown

Handle 0x001A, DMI type 24, 5 bytes
Hardware Security
Power-On Password Status: Disabled
Keyboard Password Status: Unknown
Administrator Password Status: Disabled
Front Panel Reset Status: Unknown

Handle 0x001B, DMI type 25, 9 bytes
System Power Controls
Next Scheduled Power-on: 12-31 23:59:59

Handle 0x001C, DMI type 26, 20 bytes
Voltage Probe
Description: Voltage Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value: Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001D, DMI type 27, 12 bytes
Cooling Device
Temperature Probe Handle: 0x001E
Type: Fan
Status: OK
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001E, DMI type 28, 20 bytes
Temperature Probe
Description: Temperature Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x001F, DMI type 29, 20 bytes
Electrical Current Probe
Description: Electrical Current Probe
Location: Processor
Status: OK
Maximum Value: Unknown
Minimum Value: Unknown
Resolution: Unknown
Tolerance: Unknown
Accuracy: Unknown
OEM-specific Information: 0x00000000

Handle 0x0020, DMI type 30, 6 bytes
Out-of-band Remote Access
Manufacturer Name: Intel
Inbound Connection: Enabled
Outbound Connection: Disabled

Handle 0x0021, DMI type 32, 20 bytes
System Boot Information
Status: <OUT OF SPEC>

Handle 0x0022, DMI type 129, 16 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
81 10 22 00 01 01 02 01 00 00 00 01 00 00 08 01
Strings:
Intel_ASF_001
Intel_ASF_001

Handle 0x0023, DMI type 136, 6 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
88 06 23 00 FF FF

Handle 0x0024, DMI type 150, 14 bytes
OEM-specific Type
Header and Data:
96 0E 24 00 01 01 00 00 00 00 00 00 00 00
Strings:
ABSOLUTE(PHOENIX) CLM

Handle 0x0025, DMI type 127, 4 bytes
End Of Table

lupusarcanus · 01-16-2010, 02:24 AM

In your system monitor, find out:

Exactly how much RAM you have, and how much of is being used.

From what I gathered on Google and a brief look at your large log, it appears you have either 512 MB RAM or 1 GB RAM. I would suggest another 1 GB stick would help.

They cost around 25-35 USD, which isn't bad. You could also try and use a swap file and/or increase the swap file to 2 GB and/or increase you swappiness if you don't want to cough up the 30 dollars.

ongte · 01-16-2010, 09:25 AM

Probably the RAM, check out your memory usage whenever this happens.

Quote:

$ free

Another possibility is crappy video driver. The recent intel driver for Karmic has been known to cause trouble for some laptop users.