Compaq 6715b ATI X1200 and Adding Memory
 

Been a long time Linux user, first time poster. Here's the problem/issue that I'm having.

I have a HP/Compaq 6715b with 2GB of RAM in it. I use it primarily for work and I have openSUSE 11.1 x64 installed on it. Since my boss was all for adding more RAM to all of the machines in our office, I went ahead and installed the max of 4GB or RAM into it. I booted it up after installing it all and it would load but crash when it tried to start the GUI, didn't matter if it was KDE or GNOME. I figured that maybe the kernel just didn't like the new config so I spent half of my night formatting the sys partition and reloading it from scratch. Same problem, so out of frustration I removed one of the 2GB sticks and rebooted it. Booted up fine, loaded the GUI without issue.

So what gives? I went back to the office the next day, and installed a 1GB stick so the machine had a total of 3GB and the video totally geeked out. Tried it with a 512MB stick for a total of 2.5GB and had the same issue, wouldn't load the GUI. I know that the ATI card shares resources, but why would an INCREASE make it not work? I must not be looking at/for something but I can't figure it out.

For now, I guess I just have to live with 2GB max and that's it.

The huge number of memory types available today makes the selection process critical. You must purchase memory that is compatible with the memory controller and memory socket(s) on your motherboard. Additionally, although people will say that this is not critical, I recommend ensuring that the memory sticks that you add to an existing configuration are in all respects the same specifications as the ones that are already installed.

I looked up your computer. It takes PC2-5300 memory sticks. Make sure that the memory that you added is this type. More importantly, make sure that all of the memory sticks in your machine are of this type.

http://www.pcmemorystore.com/HP_Comp...-6715B-ram.htm

I didn't look up an on line user manual if one is available so the next thing is speculative. Many motherboards have BIOS settings that must match the hardware configuration. These days the BIOS is usually self configuring but there is some chance that the motherboard did not reconfigure its BIOS to adjust for the additional memory.

Make sure that your motherboard is set to safe specifications. In other words, don't overclock until you have everything working at normal speed.

Some of the newer memory sticks require that you set the voltage higher than motherboard defaults. Read the specs for your make and model of memory. See if the manufacturer tells you to increase the voltage, even for rated 'normal' operation.

And lastly, I wouldn't have bothered to add memory just because my manager would approve the purchase. It is always a good idea to keep what works until you have a demonstrated need to make a change.

Did that...
 

The RAM that I got was from Kingston and was spec'ed out by them. I've put the same RAM in to the same laptops and they worked fine. Only difference is that they are running WinXP. I just figured that there's something in the kernel that I'm missing, but not sure exactly where. That's why I figured a fresh install would fix the issue, but was wrong.

As far as the BIOS goes, I have it updated to the most recent version that's available from HP. I looked for a BIOS update for the ATI card but didn't find one, which I'm guessing, I won't.

I figured since you said that you are experienced that you probably knew everything that I could suggest. Sorry I didn't have any helpful ideas. Still its always worth it to check the basics.

I am not aware of any RAM controller problems in 64 bit Linux. I am using 4 GB RAM on my Kubuntu 64 bit machine. Works great. Intel Core 2 Duo E8400. 2 x 2 GB OCZ DDR2 RAM modules. Asus P5GC-MX/1333 MHz motherboard.

You could try booting different live CDs of different 64 bit distros just to ensure that it isn't a SuSE problem. I doubt that it's something specific to SuSE but who knows?

Have you checked the UMA settings in the BIOS?

UMA Settings...
 

Don't think there is a way to do that in the BIOS. HP has had a nasty habit of "dumbing" down their BIOS settings and removing the ability to modifying things.

I do see what you are saying, I just don't see where I can. The BIOS has been flashed to the latest version that HP has out there, so if there were any kind of a bug it would have been worked out with the latest flash. My estimate is that there's nothing that I can do to make it work, which is cool, until the next version of SUSE comes out. Then I get to try it out again.

I'm open so suggestions, I did put a KNOPPIX disk in and tried to boot up off of that. No luck with the 4GB of RAM.