LinuxQuestions.org
Welcome to the most active Linux Forum on the web.
Go Back   LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook
User Name
Password
Linux - Laptop and Netbook Having a problem installing or configuring Linux on your laptop? Need help running Linux on your netbook? This forum is for you. This forum is for any topics relating to Linux and either traditional laptops or netbooks (such as the Asus EEE PC, Everex CloudBook or MSI Wind).

Notices


Reply
  Search this Thread
Old 03-05-2023, 11:34 AM   #1
edorig
Member
 
Registered: Apr 2013
Location: France
Distribution: Slackware; Ubuntu
Posts: 134

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Adding memory modules on a Toshiba Satellite M40


I have added DDR2 533MHz SODIMM memory modules on a Toshiba Satellite M40-307 running Linux 5.15 for 32bit Intel. The computer has 512Mb of memory, and is supposed to be able to use 2Gb. It has run with Linux 5.15 for roughly 1 year without problem. I have encountered the following problems when adding the new memory.
  1. with 2 1Gb modules, the computer does not boot.
  2. With a single 1Gb memory module, the computer boots into the BIOS if I press F2. The BIOS indicates 1Gb of memory. Leaving the BIOS, I obtain a bootloader prompt allowing me to choose Windows XP or Linux 5.15. If I pick XP, the boot process stops at the Welcome screen and I get a BSOD. If I pick linux, the computer boots until it reaches the point where it switches from 80x25 VGA to a higher resolution Radeon FB mode. Then a kernel panic caused by Kernel stack corruption occurs.
  3. If I reinsert the original memory module of 512Mb, the computer again boots normally in Linux.
With the original 512Mb module and the new 1Gb module, the situation is the same as with 1Gb module. The total memory is correctly indicated in the BIOS, but a kernel panic occurs during the Linux boot process.

It is possible that both memory modules are defective or incompatible with the laptop. I know that there is a memtest86 program, but can it help to discriminate between the two ? Are there other possibilities such as a conflict between the extra memory and the memory on the graphics card or some dirt on the contacts of the new memory modules ?
 
Old 03-06-2023, 03:51 AM   #2
fatmac
LQ Guru
 
Registered: Sep 2011
Location: Upper Hale, Surrey/Hants Border, UK
Distribution: Mainly Devuan with some Tiny Core, Fatdog, Haiku, & BSD thrown in.
Posts: 5,443

Rep: Reputation: Disabled
You need to fit the same type of module, check the label of your original module, & compare it to the ones you bought.
 
Old 03-06-2023, 04:40 AM   #3
pan64
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 21,692

Rep: Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274
yes, either use two identical modules or one 2GB module, do not mix them. Also need to set correct timings for them, incorrect settings may cause those strange errors. Probably would be better to post the exact type of those modules.
 
Old 03-18-2023, 12:27 PM   #4
edorig
Member
 
Registered: Apr 2013
Location: France
Distribution: Slackware; Ubuntu
Posts: 134

Original Poster
Rep: Reputation: Disabled
Quote:
Originally Posted by pan64 View Post
yes, either use two identical modules or one 2GB module, do not mix them. Also need to set correct timings for them, incorrect settings may cause those strange errors. Probably would be better to post the exact type of those modules.
The original memory module in the computer was Hynix HYMP564S64P6-C4 DDR2-533MHz SODIMM PC2-4200S 512Mo component part HY5PS121621FP-C4 synchronous with latency 4-4-4 and load 8. The two 1GB modules were also DDR2-533MHz, but I could not determine latency. Since there are modules with 3-3-3 latency, maybe this is the cause of the incompatibility.
With a single memory module, I could boot Windows XP in failsafe mode, but not in normal mode. With linux,
booting seemed to go normally, but the computer had a kernel panic when starting X. So I suspect something is wrong with the way the graphics card accesses the extra memory (on the Satellite M40-307 the memory is shared between Celeron processor
and the ATI graphics card). But there is no setting in the BIOS for that, and the service manual for Toshiba Satellite M40-45 and Tecra does not mention any jumpers to set on the graphics card.
 
Old 03-20-2023, 12:14 AM   #5
pan64
LQ Addict
 
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 21,692

Rep: Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274Reputation: 7274
Quote:
Originally Posted by edorig View Post
With a single memory module, I could boot Windows XP in failsafe mode, but not in normal mode. With linux,
booting seemed to go normally, but the computer had a kernel panic when starting X.
From my side I would say these modules cannot be used with this laptop. It is not related to the video card (I think).
 
  


Reply


Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is Off
HTML code is Off



Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Best distro for a toshiba satellite M40? aal Linux - Laptop and Netbook 5 08-13-2007 09:05 PM
Trouble installing Linux on Toshiba Satellite Pro M40 Tianabhaig Linux - Laptop and Netbook 2 04-25-2006 12:21 PM
Toshiba M40 Fn Keys with SuSE 10.0 parsek77 SUSE / openSUSE 1 01-21-2006 11:59 PM
Toshiba M40 nVidia GO 6600 and SUSE 10.0 rykel SUSE / openSUSE 1 11-23-2005 06:24 AM
intel pro/wireless 2200 toshiba m40 p535 tindasz Linux - Laptop and Netbook 9 11-08-2005 09:12 AM

LinuxQuestions.org > Forums > Linux Forums > Linux - Laptop and Netbook

All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:27 PM.

Main Menu
Advertisement
My LQ
Write for LQ
LinuxQuestions.org is looking for people interested in writing Editorials, Articles, Reviews, and more. If you'd like to contribute content, let us know.
Main Menu
Syndicate
RSS1  Latest Threads
RSS1  LQ News
Twitter: @linuxquestions
Open Source Consulting | Domain Registration