You are not logged in.

#1 2009-12-17 20:50:39

prexX
Member
Registered: 2009-12-17
Posts: 2

4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

Hey everyone.
On these last few days I've been learning and learning about Archlinux.
I wanted to install linux on my computer cause I need it to work and since my last distro was Ubuntu, I thought it was time to move a bit "higher" and get something I really liked.

Archlinux was the definitely the perfect choice. Configured everything myself and nothing to complain.
The problem is....
I had to reinstall linux because I bought a new Laptop, model Toshiba Satellite A350-22E. Click HERE for specifications.

As you can see, it comes with 4gb ddr2 ram and an ATI Mobility Radeon HD 3650.

Before installing Archlinux, I tried Slackware, OpenSuSe and Debian. On all 3 I had a "little" problem: my laptop would only work if I removed 2gb of ram.
With 4gb I would never get into the graphical system, Xorg. I could only use the command line.
Sometimes it would crash when I ran startx, other times it would just "crash" and leave me with nothng but a black screen.
I googled a lot and I found it would work by removing 2gb. Not that anyone found the solution but a lot of ppl had the same problem and everyone got to the same conclusion of removing 2gb.

I did it and then I went for Archlinux (not as an option to fix my problem but because it was the distro I found more interesting for me).
Now that i've got everything installed and running perfect I thought it was time to find a way to get my 4gb of ram working !!!!

Well... anyone has got ideas?
(sorry for my bad english btw)

Offline

#2 2009-12-17 21:24:34

Dheart
Member
From: Sofia, Bulgaria
Registered: 2006-10-26
Posts: 956

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

What driver are you using? xf86-video-ati/radeonhd/catalyst.
Try getting on X with vesa driver in xorg conf to see if it technically works.


My victim you are meant to be
No, you cannot hide nor flee
You know what I'm looking for
Pleasure your torture, I will endure...

Offline

#3 2009-12-17 22:00:57

Denacke
Member
Registered: 2008-04-09
Posts: 106

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

Having a HD3650 myself, when using the catalyst drivers, to prevent getting the totally unresponsive black screen, you have to issue this command (as root):

aticonfig --acpi-services=off

As of right now, to use the catalyst drivers you will need an older version of Xorg, for more intel i suggest reading the last pages of the AMD bar & grill thread: http://bbs.archlinux.org/viewtopic.php?id=57084

Offline

#4 2009-12-17 22:21:36

prexX
Member
Registered: 2009-12-17
Posts: 2

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

Right now I'm using radeon driver. Not radeonhd nor catalist but i've tried them both and they both work without any single problem (unless I try with 4gb of ram of course).
And before someone asks, the ram isnt "broken" cause I bought new ram to try =/.

Offline

#5 2009-12-18 00:04:42

kirky_D
Member
Registered: 2009-12-17
Posts: 9

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

If your using 32 bit arch (x86) you will never be able to use 4 gig of ram. I think the max is 3. Have you tried the 64 bit version of any of the versions of linux you have used including arch? I cant say much about X not working, but if it sudden;y works when you take 2gb away, then this might be a solution

Offline

#6 2009-12-18 00:12:07

Floft
Member
Registered: 2009-11-15
Posts: 43

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

From reading http://www.eggheadcafe.com/software/asp … vista.aspx, I think the max is 4 GBs, not 3.

Offline

#7 2009-12-18 00:15:59

kirky_D
Member
Registered: 2009-12-17
Posts: 9

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

nah, 32bit can address 4gig but some of those addresses are used for other things like I/O and stuff. Definately can't use the whole 4 gig.

Although I have never seen an issue with actually having 4 gig installed on a system whilst using a 32bit os. It was a just a suggestion for him seeing as how removing 2 gig of ram mysteriously fisxes all his problems.

EDIT: Oh, and i plucked 3gig completely from thin air, was just using it to make a point

Last edited by kirky_D (2009-12-18 00:16:52)

Offline

#8 2009-12-18 10:13:52

MadCat_X
Member
Registered: 2009-10-08
Posts: 189

Re: 4 gb ram // Ati radeon hd 3650 -- despair :'(

This sounds to me as a more of a hardware issue. Is there any BIOS update available for your notebook? Giving 64bit distro a try is worth a shot, maybe you can get some 64bit liveCD so you don't have to reinstall everything.

Offline

Board footer

Powered by FluxBB