Libreboot - RAM

7 replies [Last post]
richardEU
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Joined: 05/11/2017

Hi,

Does anyone have a list of RAM makes which are known to work well in Libreboot build?

I just put together a Gigabyte GA-G41M build and I'm having some problems with the RAM pairs...

I have two motherboards. I initially suspected a fault with the motherboard, but both boards work with the RAM without Libreboot and have the issue after being Libreboot'd.

I have two pairs of RAM:

x2 1GB Kingston DDR2 800 KVR800D2N6/1G RAM
x2 2GB ELPIDA DDR2 800 PC2-6400U-666 RAM

When fitted in pairs they both work pre-Libreboot. After Libreboot, both types work, but not as pairs. E.g. I can boot with 1 stick of 2GB, but not both to make 4GB.

At least the computer is up and running, but ideally I'd like to make use of more RAM.

Is there a list of known RAM pairs anywhere?

richardEU
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Joined: 05/11/2017

I forgot to mention;

When fitted as pairs it is just a blank screen on boot. The PC starts up but no output.
Remove one stick and it boots just normally.

tonlee
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Joined: 09/08/2014

On my gigabyte libreboot I got 2 Celixir 2gb modules. Free -ht
says 4gb.

richardEU
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Joined: 05/11/2017

Thanks tonlee. I would look for some.

jxself
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Joined: 09/13/2010

I have 2 x 2GB in mine. I was disappointed originally because the documentation from Gigabyte mentioned a max supported of 8GB but I found I couldn't boot with 2 x 4GB chips and not even with 1 x 4GB chip. So I'm stuck with 2 x 2GB. Oh well. It's the price of freedom. I didn't pay any attention to where my RAM came from though.

richardEU
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Joined: 05/11/2017

That's disappointing to hear. My last resort was using x1 4GB. I wanted to avoid that as there is a big price increase from the 2GB sticks to 4GB.

I checked this webpage (https://www.coreboot.org/Board:gigabyte/ga-g41m-es2l) but all it says is;
'PC2-5300 CAS 5, PC2-6400 CAS 6 and PC2-6400 CAS 5 tested'

richardEU
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Joined: 05/11/2017

So, some ram and a processor turned up today.

I bought a new processor as I noticed an E8500 for £3.99. Though it would be a marginal upgrade to my E7500 plus I'd have a spare core 2 duo for a future build.

On a whim I put the E8500 in and tried it with the original two sticks of ram. Booted and works fine!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Now I just need to get my PCI wifi card (WN851ND) working. Ethernet works fine, but the WiFi card is recognised, will connect to the router, but the internet is either non working or very very slow.

I assume this is something to do with mac address...

jxself
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Joined: 09/13/2010

"I assume this is something to do with mac address..."

Probably not. The instructions on libreboot.org are setting the MAC address used by the built-it Ethernet port. The WiFi card will have its own. Sounds like this is a separate thing for a separate thread.