Acer Aspire 9410-4933 with 2x2GB DDR2

Hi all,

I see that thread http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=331166 was already locked (yes, I missed it by more than a year).

I'm guessing there are still users out there using their Acer Aspire 9410 laptops.

I recently purchased two 2GB DDR2 modules. They both work fine individually and I've tested using memtest86+. When I plug both modules in, the BIOS only sees 3067MB. The Phoenix BIOS in my Acer Aspire 9410-4933 is version 1.24. I would expect that the BIOS sees all 4GB.

Is there any Phoenix BIOS newer than 1.24 that I can use for my Acer Aspire 9410-4933?

I've read that there may be hidden BIOS settings and I'm wondering if anybody can point me to a URL that describes how to un-hide those settings?

Lastly: according to the aforementioned locked thread, the BIOS is the one limiting how much memory is addressable. Is there any way to hack around that?

Thank you for any help/pointers.

 

1)It is important to note that modding the BIOS for Max Mem is unheard off too difficult to pull off by dissembly.
2)Does the BIOS read 3GB or Windows read 3GB there is a difference if the BIOS read 3GB means it is stucked at 3GB.
3)Does your processor support 64bit (have instruction set EMT64? Run cpuz to find out)
I googled T2300 only to find there is no written support for EMT64 instruction in the processor.

 

Thank you for your reply, weinter.

The BIOS only shows 3067MB. Why it's not 3072MB is also something I don't understand.

Vista (SP2) does its trickery and tries to pacify the user by correctly showing 4GB but as the BIOS only sees 3067MB, that's what the Task Manager also shows.

My CPU is T2450 and is not 64-bit capable.

Acer advertised this 9410-4933 as being upgradeable to 4GB, so I expected at least the BIOS to see all of that even if 32-bit Windoze isn't able to use all of that.

I understand that the maximum that a 32-bit OS can virtually address is 4GB. Even with PAE/AWE enabled, some of the OS has their maximum hard-coded for "compatibility" reasons. I also understand that once the OS kicks in, some of the address space gets allocated to the various devices, so not all 4GB are "available".

What I don't understand is why the BIOS is only seeing 3067MB and why not 3072MB or the whole 4092MB.

The reason for asking about how to get to the hidden BIOS settings is so that maybe I can understand better what's capping the BIOS at seeing only 3067MB. Somebody from the other thread mentioned that it's due to the chipset. Is it really?

I was also wondering if there's anybody who knows of a newer BIOS than version 1.24 for the Aspire 9410 model.

My questions are targeted at the BIOS level, i.e. before even booting into the OS/Windoze level.

 

Hi,
I also have an Acer 9410 and have been trying to upgrade the memory to 4 gigs as well. However I've been having trouble. I ordered 2 2gb ddr2 667 sodimms by Gskill and each will work separately but not when put in the slots together. I ended up sending them back and been trying to do more research as to what will be compatible. I saw that what ever you bought worked for you. albeit at 3gigs only which is what I expect from my 32 bit system. Can I ask which brand did you buy and was it dual channel supported? One site says our laptop doesn't support dual channel but Acer's manual says it does. So now I'm confused.

Also in regards to the bios version, you have the latest version 1.24.

 

If Windows says it is 4GB then it is alright it means all 4GB gigabyte is detected no BIOS modification is required.
You have to know that
1)Due to addressing space required for other hardware and Windows Kernel, Windows is only capable of 3GB for userspace programs which is correct.
Vista SP2 is not doing trickery it detects 4GB but only has 3GB of addressing spaces available due to 32bit flat memory model limitation.
2)The reason why you see only 3067 is that your Graphics Adapter need VRAM so it takes another chunk out of the 3GB of address
spaces.

However you are facing the following issues
To utilise all more than 4GB address spaces you need Vista/Windows 7 64bit however you CPU doesn't support EMT64 so you have to upgrade to a Intel EMT64 capable Processor.

My recommendation:
1)Buy a 64bit Intel Processor that is supported by your Socket off Ebay. Take it as a upgrade as well.
2)Install Vista/7 64bit edition

 

Hi colgla,

The two DDR2 modules I have are not even the same brand. One is an Elpida GU332G0ALEPR8H2F and the other a (lower performance) Samsung M470T5663QZ3. I realize that these are overkill for the 533 MHz FSB frequency for my laptop but those are what I ended up finding.

When I ran memtest86+ with both modules plugged in, I do recall seeing "dual channel" indicated.

 

I still do not understand why the BIOS does not see 4GB (again, Windoze is not in the picture yet).

Will upgrading the CPU make the BIOS see the whole 4GB?

 

You said Windows Vista SP2 showed 4GB installed right?
It means all 4GB are detected just that Windows is unable to address all of them (only 3GB) due to 32bit limitation they built into the OS.
Upgrade the CPU to a EMT64 capable Intel will enable you to install and boot Windows Vista 64bit which has no address space limitation.
Of Course laptop upgrades are not OEM support that is why you have to DIY.

 

Thank you alimas! Acer's tech support is of no help. I think they copy and paste the same response to every one. I've been trying to buy dual channel memory kits from Newegg and so far the Adata came with one DOA. The other was the Gskills. Both worked separately but when put together my laptop would still only recognize one of them. It's interesting that you have 2 different ones. I tried to put our original 1gb in with the Gskill 2gb but it wouldn't work. I'm afraid to try another set. So far Newegg has been awesome in refunding the sets with no restocking fee.

 

Yes, Vista SP2 System Properties says 4GB (not so with the Task Manager).

Again, my questions have been for the BIOS level and I still don't understand why the BIOS does not see 4GB. At this point, I'm not focused on what Windoze sees or not. I'm not even going to use Windoze for much longer.

 

You're welcome.

When you say "wouldn't work", does that mean it wouldn't even get past BIOS POST? Or you could boot into the OS but only see 2GB when both are plugged in?

I don't know what the difference is. I know that Acer has had slightly different model #s (probably due to configuration). Mine is 9410- 4933 and was manufactured in 2007. Maybe yours has a different CPU. I would think the motherboard and chipsets are the same, though, for all 9410 models.

I have also tried putting a 2GB and a 1GB modules together and they worked fine together (even though the 1GB is yet another brand, i.e. Crucial/Micron). For that combination, my BIOS also sees the same amount, i.e. 3067MB, which is why I think there's something at the BIOS level that needs fixing first.

I did consider upgrading the CPU, as well, to one that's 64-bit capable. But I am concerned after reading somewhere else that it may also require a BIOS update. So, if version 1.24 that I have is the latest, then there's a chance the CPU upgrade (to a Core 2 Socket M) may not even work. I'm wondering, though, if there may be newer versions of Phoenix BIOS that aren't necessarily for 9410 but would be "compatible".

Good luck with your RAM search and if what I see is the best I can get, then you may just need to find one 2GB DDR2 that'd work with your existing 1GB.

 

That is odd. I'm sure you've tried to swap the modules around and make sure that both of the slots are still working. I used to use ThinkPads quite a bit and one of the models was known for having one of the memory slots to just one day fail (and, when under warranty, IBM would simply `fix' it by replacing the motherboard ).

Sorry, I don't know much other than what's described on wikipedia.

Mine also originally came with an older BIOS version and I recall getting the version 1.24 from a European FTP site as I couldn't find it on the US Acer site. I was hoping there would be a newer one than from 3 years ago, but maybe that'll just forever be wishful thinking.

In case it's helpful for comparison purposes, I'm attaching some screendumps of CPU-Z.

Note how the "Memory" tab shows not just "Dual" but also "4096 MBytes" (while the BIOS still shows 3067MB ). The "Mainboard" tab should give you a more exact comparison for the motherboard.

Given the changes during the last few years, my laptop is probably considered antique by now but I just don't have the resources to buy a new one for a while.

 

[QUOTE=
Mine also originally came with an older BIOS version and I recall getting the version 1.24 from a European FTP site as I couldn't find it on the US Acer site. I was hoping there would be a newer one than from 3 years ago, but maybe that'll just forever be wishful thinking.

Hi,
It looks as though Acer's behind on updating the website then if you found it first from another source. There just may be a newer version. Keep wishing

My husband was the one putting the memory in and he thought it had to go in the main slot. I was wondering the same as you...that one of the slots was bad. I'll have him double check that. The other thought I had was the reason the 1gb chip didn't work with the 2gb is that they were different frequencies. the 1gb is a 4200 and the 2gb was a 5300.

Thanks for the thumbnail attach. You have a faster processor. Mines only a 1.66. Where did you find that program to show you all that information?

Your problem is very odd to say the least. There must be a glitch in the bios. Not so sure a new processor would take care of the problem either. So far we've had no problems with this laptop until we wanted to upgrade. I guess we waited to long. I'm out of warranty and in the same boat as you. No money to get a new one. Although it almost seems worth it to save myself the hassle!

Thanks for your input and I hope you figure out your dilemma. If I discover anything new I will let you know.

 

He may be right. Some motherboards require you to put in the memory modules in certain banks/slots first. But, I think it'd be harmless to try putting one module in the other slot and leaving the "main" one empty. The worst is that it'd not even go past BIOS POST.

I've read that possibility, too. When I tested mine with a 2GB and a 1GB together, the former was a PC2-6400 and the latter was a PC2-5300. That combination worked on mine.

You can download CPU-Z from http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php .

Yeah, if the BIOS would not see past that number, there may be issues even if I upgrade to a 64-bit CPU.

Likewise and thank you.

 

I think you don't get my point.
When Vista CAN detect 4GB is installed means the BIOS can initialise ALL 4GB.
The BIOS initialize the system and hand over control to the OS if the OS know 4GB is installed means all 4GB is initialized.

 

Thank you for your help, weinter.

 

Thanks for the link.
And here's an update. I got 3Gb to work! We had just bought a mini laptop for my hubby with 1gb already in it. I bought a 2bg chip for it to max out the memory. We tried those 2 combos in my 9410 and it worked! So I'm just going to buy another 2gb for him.

I mentioned to him about your problem and he didn't advise buying a 64 bit cpu with your current motherboard. He said the motherboard has to be changed as well, it wouldn't match cause it was made for a 32 bit chip. He says that was the way it used to be when he studied computer repair years ago. Things could've changed.

Anyways, Thanks again and I just wanted to tell you my good news. Good luck!

 

You're welcome and good to hear you got at least the 3GB.

According to http://www.anandtech.com/cpuchipsets/showdoc.aspx?i=2808 :

and the chipset I have is 945GM.

But, that same article also mentions

If it does require a BIOS update, I'll be SOL.

Have a good weekend and enjoy the additional RAM.

 

It should work because
1)945GM chipsets have been paired with 64bit processors in other laptop models.
2)CPU Microcode support is only added because OEMs are too lazy to remove them therefore chances that it support 64bit CPU is almost certain.
They will backward comp with older CPU that uses the same socket but feature set will be limited to CPU capability.
So just look out for cheap EMT64 cpus on Ebay.

 

Thank you for the additional follow-up and your help, weinter, and have a good weekend.