Laptop will not boot with 4GB of RAM

I have a Toshiba A205-S5804 and I upgrade my RAM with two (2) sticks of GEIL each 2GB DDR2 667MHz PC2-5300. I originally had a two (2) sticks of 512MB. When I have all 4GB in, when I start the computer is stalls at the Toshiba screen before it gets to Windows OS.

I also did some tests with only having one module in. When I have the module only in the lower bay, computer starts up just fine. When I have the module only in the upper module, computer will not even power up, it briefly flashes the lights, makes a noise like it is trying to start the hard drive and dies.

Also computer will start with one stick of the 2GB and one stick of 512MB, but will not do it with two 2GB sticks, total of 4GB. Can anyone help? Trying to see if perhaps it is RAM, if I just need to return the GEIL modules and get a different brand or different modules from same manufacturer.

 

Toshiba's specs for this model show it has the Intel GL960 chipset.

Intel's specs (page 17 of document 31627303) shows that this chipset can address a maximum of 2GB. It seems that while the chipset can recognise more than 2GB of RAM, it probably uses only 2GB, and has a headache if confronted by 4GB.

A further factor may be that the chipset may get confused by 667MHz RAM and needs a 533MHz module to set the timings or it trips up. I would keep one of the 2GB modules and run with 2.5GB on board.

Use CPU-Z to confirm the chipset and whether the memory is running in single or dual channel.

The 945GMS chipset in my Sony G11 is similar. It knows I have 2.5GB of RAM on board, but uses only 2GB.

John

 

I had the exact same problem with my Fujitsu, Memtest the heck out of the stuff on the Gateway and an HP and DELL; going through 4 different sticks of progressivly better memory, when the Mushkin memory with sequential production serial numbers wouldn't boot I knew it wasn't the memory.

The thing that fixed it was flashing the BIOS and suddenly I could get past the bios & logo screens.

Don't know why it works but it worked.

Your laptop will address all 4GB, but for some reason alot of us are having this problem even on other chipsets (mine's a 965).

Here's our similar problem from the Fujitsu thread;
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=193152

I have a feeling it's a similar issue, not just related to Fujitsu or Toshiba but to the chipset or BIOS.

 

TheGreatG****Ape,

How dose one flash the BIOS, I'm learning as i go here and this forum helped a lot!!!!!

 

John,

My particular model is a new production and has a 965 chipset, I ran an Intel chipset identifier and it confirmed it is a 965 chipset and can see all 4GB, only limitation is by 32bit windows, which I am switching to 64bit as soon as I get the DVD from Microsoft.

Misha

 

GL960 is in the 965 chipset family. Whatever that matters. Go to MFG web site and look for BIOS update in Drivers/Downloads area, should have instructions. Only word of caution on flashing, if it does not work can cause damage so follow instructions.

 

It's unusual for a manufacturer to change the hardware without changing the model number so it is worth double-checking. The GL960 is a slightly crippled GM965.

How much RAM is reported as available when you have 2.5GB installed?

John

 

When I have 2.5GB installed both BIOS and Windows show 2.5GB installed, so it is not a 960 chipset but a 965 as suspected.

 

So I flashed my BIOS with the latest file Toshiba has on line. It did not solve the problem, computer still stalls in BIOS screen when all 4GB are installed and will only load when I have the original 512MB module in the lower spot and the new 2GB module in the second spot or if I just have the 2GB module installed in the lower spot.

Also, since I flashed my BIOS, my wireless LAN no longer works.

Can anyone help?

 

Vista's first information page (the one with the WEI score) will tell you what is the total RAM you have on board. It tells me my Sony G11 has 2.5GB (but I know that only 2GB is usable).

If you want to know how much RAM Vista can actually use then go to the Performance Page of Task Manager and see what is indicated as the total physical RAM. Does this read ~2040MB or ~2550MB (the system always grabs a few MB)?

John

 

i had the post but no boot problem with an e8310 fujitsu and aftermarket ram. after reading up i found this is a common problem - fujitsu has done something so that only a few brands/speeds work. i purchased 'guaranteed to work' memory from crucial (not their cheap stuff) and it worked fine. cpu-z says it is from micron and has all standard timeings.

 

It shows 2549MB

 

OK. It looks as if the chipset can handle more than 2GB. So suspicion must be falling on the BIOS and compatibility with specific brands of RAM.

John

 

So I got the Kingston KTT memory, 2x2GB and it still did not help. Hangs in BIOS screen. After talking to Toshiba tech support, apparently they put limits on the BIOS/chipset, they modify Intel's stuff from what I was told. I have a 965 chipset based on the Intel chipset identifier and there for should handle 4GB. So question is, dose anyone know of a mod for the BIOS or at least motherboard brand and model number so I can get the BIOS from manufacturer directly. I tried looking for it in my laptop through motherboard identifier software but no luck. Almost like Toshiba is hiding it on purpose.

 

My L100 wouldn't load windows with 2GB of DDR2-667 but will with 1GB DDR2-667 and 1GB DDR2-533.

It looks like one of those weird chipset idiosyncrasies. I doubt you'll get it to work with all of that ram. I'd stick to 2.5GB.

 

Yeah it could be that they are simply locking you out of you own upgrade.

In my case, the tech support guys didn't know about the issue until I told them how I fixed it. they kept saying "we don't lock out other makers, but they may have faulty chips" etc, yet I went through nearly half a dozen modules all of which worked when half paired with the other.
For me going with Fujitsu memory was a no go as it was $500 per 2GB module, at which point I could buy half new laptop for that 4GB upgrade.

I would poke around the Toshiba forums on the net and see what other people expeienced. If there's a model with a similar BIOS (phoenix, etc) you might wanna see what that has. Also check the BIOS site, I found the information for my BIOS from them (no pre-set limit by them) before poking around Fujitsu's site.

Good luck, I know how frustrating it is, I would suggest getting to a tier2 support person if they can't give you a good enough explanation and if it's only 'bios locked'. Check the original literature and see if they mention anything, if it came with a 4GB upgrade option from the start I'd recommend pushing that angle and then saying you initially didn't need it because you were sticking with 32bit environment but you will need it in the spring after SP1 when you plan to switch to 64bit.

Anywhoo good luck.

 

Sending the laptop to Toshiba for repair would be futile as when talking to them on the phone, they told me that the computer was designed for 2GB max and they will not honer the warranty if it was caused by going outside of there recommended specs. But I do agree with you that it is BIOS. Toshiba is doing something on that model to restrict people from taking advantage of its full capability's as it is their lower model. In fact when flashing my BIOS with the latest update from the Toshiba US website, it only caused my Wi-Fi to stop working. It only got fixed by flashing my BIOS with an update for an equivalent model from the Australian Toshiba site. I now have a 1.90 version, but no help with RAM.

 

I have a 64 bit Vista now and no help.

 

Do you guys think that running A205-S5804 with 3GB (1x1GB & 1x2GB) of RAM vs 2GB (2x1GB) of RAM would be faster or not since 2GB would be two of the same modules matched up?

 

Maybe try upping the virtual memory and then putting turning off and putting the 4gb in it..