Over 3,000 MB of RAM Diables Wireless Communications

  • Thread starter Thread starter Guest
  • Start date Start date
G

Guest

I have Vista Ultimate (32 bit) installed on an ACER 9410 Notebook (Core Duo
Processor). I purchased 4 GB of RAM and was NOT surprised to see just over 3
GB. What was a surprise is that anything over 3 GB of RAM disables the
wireless communications, both built-in and external wireless adapter. The
company I bought the RAM from sent me a 1 GB chip which, added to the 2 GB
chip give me approx. 3,062 MB of RAM - just enough to knock out the wireless.
When I install a 2 GB chip and a 512K chip, the resulting 2.660 GB of RAM
does NOT conflict with the wireless.

A friend has heard of this problem and seems to think it's fairly common
knowledge but I can't find anything on the internet about it.

I realize from reading other posts I can never get 4 GB but is there a fix
or workaround so that I can install the max. 3GB (which registers more than
3,000 MB) and have wireless, too?
 
I have no idea where you got the info that if you have over 3gb of RAM memory
you lose wireless, it is not mentioned anywhere that I know off, (then I may
be wrong).
I have 2 pcs with 3gb or more of memory and wireless connection.
If you are having connection problems it is unlikely related to the amount
of memory you have.
Are you connected with a router and what type of internet connection do you
have cable, ADSL or wireless.
Are you trying to connect 2 PCs & which OS, Vista, XP or!!!!!!
Describe what you wish to do?
--
Regards
Bob J
If advise given from anyone, solves problem or not, or if solved from
another source,post back & let us know.
Then we all benefit.
 
Dear Bob,

Thanks for your reply.

I have 3 PC's, 2 connected via ethernet to a Netgear router which in turn is
connected to a cable modem for broadband connection. These 2 PC's have XP
SP2 and since they're wired, I have no issue with them.

The notebook PC, running Vista Ultimate, is what's giving me the problem.
I'm wondering if it's the combination of Vista and the processor that may
have an issue with 3 GB. My Acer Aspire 9410-4441 has an Intel Centrino Core
Duo processor. When I had 4 Gb of RAM installed, it only registered as
slightly over 3GB and no wireless. (As I said previously, I expected this
due to much information on this topic.) When I had 3 Gb of RAM installed, it
registered slightly over 3 Gb and no wireless. It's only when I drop below 3
Gb of RAM that the wireless works. This was true for both the internal
wireless and a network adapter card.

So, in my case, anything in excess of 3,000 Mb of RAM disables the wireless.
I've checked all the system information & diagnostics and even when the
wireless is not functioning, everything is said to be working properly.

Thank you,

DottieP
 
Since contacting u I have attempted to investigate your problem and carried
out a full search of MS & various other contacts and have not found any info
regarding having more than 3gb RAM and losing wireless connection.
Personally I can not see how the amount of RAM affects a wireless
connection, unless it has something to do with the bios of your PC.
I will investigate more and let you know, results. One way or the other.
Unfortunately no answer at this time.
Suggest you repost with the details as you described in your last post,
maybe some of the computer guru's will come up with answer/ explanation.
I have setup many networks and not confronted this situation.
Unfortunately at this stage run with less than 3gb RAM
--
Regards
Bob J
If advise given from anyone, solves problem or not, or if solved from
another source,post back & let us know.
Then we all benefit.
 
Dottie,
exactly how is the wireless disabled? what shows in device manager?
what shows in ipconfig /all (please post the text output of ipconfig
/all run from an elevated command prompt here as a reply). what
internal adapter? what EXTERNAL adapter?

I have Vista Ultimate (32 bit) installed on an ACER 9410 Notebook (Core Duo
Processor). I purchased 4 GB of RAM and was NOT surprised to see just over 3
GB. What was a surprise is that anything over 3 GB of RAM disables the
wireless communications, both built-in and external wireless adapter. The
company I bought the RAM from sent me a 1 GB chip which, added to the 2 GB
chip give me approx. 3,062 MB of RAM - just enough to knock out the wireless.
When I install a 2 GB chip and a 512K chip, the resulting 2.660 GB of RAM
does NOT conflict with the wireless.

A friend has heard of this problem and seems to think it's fairly common
knowledge but I can't find anything on the internet about it.

I realize from reading other posts I can never get 4 GB but is there a fix
or workaround so that I can install the max. 3GB (which registers more than
3,000 MB) and have wireless, too?
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
Dear Bob,

Thanks for all of your efforts. I too, did an extensive search with the
same result as you.

I did return the extra RAM chips so now, if a solution is found, I'll need
to buy them again, which is not out of the question.

I'm still researching this and will add to this post if I learn anything new.

Thank you,
DottieP
 
Dear Barb,

With anything over 3,000 Mb of RAM, it acts as though there are no internal
wireless capabilities and the ethernet cable is unplugged, yet when I go to
device manager, it says everything is working correctly. I also inserted a
wireless adapter and it acted as if the port was not functioning - no power
to the adapter and no wireless. The network icon in the systray has a red X
and I get a message that I'm not connected to the internet.

The ipconfig/all is copied below.
Internal adapter is:
Intel (R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABg Network Connection
Realtek RTL8168/8111 Family PCI-E Gigabit Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.0)
External Adapter is:
Netgear WG511 54 Mbps 2.4 GHz 802.11g
The external adapter works fine as long as the RAM in less than 3,000 Mb in
the Acer and it also works fine in an IBM laptop.
Processor:
Intel(R) Core(TM) Duo CPU T2350 @ 1.86 GHz
Chipset:
Intel955XM/945GM/PM/GMS/940GML

I have since returned the extra RAM chips to the vendor for a refund. If a
fix is found for this, I'll need to buy a 1 Gb chip again to test the
solution.

Thanks for any help you can give me.
DottieP
===================================================
Microsoft(R) Windows DOS
(C)Copyright Microsoft Corp 1990-2001.

C:\USERS\DOTTIE>ipconfig/all

Windows IP Configuration

Host Name . . . . . . . . . . . . : Dottie-notebook
Primary Dns Suffix . . . . . . . :
Node Type . . . . . . . . . . . . : Hybrid
IP Routing Enabled. . . . . . . . : No
WINS Proxy Enabled. . . . . . . . : No

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection* 2:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Nortel IPSECSHM Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 44-45-53-54-42-00
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::dce9:60bd:4a86:791e%11(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fec0:0:0:ffff::1%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::2%1
fec0:0:0:ffff::3%1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Wireless LAN adapter Wireless Network Connection:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Intel(R) PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network
Con
nection
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-19-D2-75-4E-BE
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::916a:2251:daaa:bf86%8(Preferred)
IPv4 Address. . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.4(Preferred)
Subnet Mask . . . . . . . . . . . : 255.255.255.0
Lease Obtained. . . . . . . . . . : Thursday, September 13, 2007 6:41:27 PM
Lease Expires . . . . . . . . . . : Friday, September 14, 2007 6:41:26 PM
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCP Server . . . . . . . . . . . : 192.168.1.1
DHCPv6 IAID . . . . . . . . . . . : 134224338
DHCPv6 Client DUID. . . . . . . . :
00-01-00-01-0D-C8-55-E7-00-16-D3-53-C1-B8

DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fe80::916a:2251:daaa:bf86%8
192.168.1.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Enabled

Ethernet adapter Local Area Connection:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Realtek RTL8168/8111 Family PCI-E
Gigabit
Ethernet NIC (NDIS 6.0)
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-16-D3-53-C1-B8
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : Yes
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection*:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
isatap.{4CBDD5DC-DDDD-479C-8F50-C503EFE31
0DE}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 11:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : Teredo Tunneling Pseudo-Interface
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 02-00-54-55-4E-01
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 8:

Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
isatap.{72E774BD-2FE3-447A-85FE-F3944B8DC
684}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes
Link-local IPv6 Address . . . . . : fe80::5efe:192.168.1.4%17(Preferred)
Default Gateway . . . . . . . . . :
DNS Servers . . . . . . . . . . . : fe80::916a:2251:daaa:bf86%8
192.168.1.1
NetBIOS over Tcpip. . . . . . . . : Disabled

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 9:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . :
isatap.{0B445639-B454-43BF-A2FB-49D9E835E
9DB}
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

Tunnel adapter Local Area Connection* 12:

Media State . . . . . . . . . . . : Media disconnected
Connection-specific DNS Suffix . :
Description . . . . . . . . . . . : 6TO4 Adapter
Physical Address. . . . . . . . . : 00-00-00-00-00-00-00-E0
DHCP Enabled. . . . . . . . . . . : No
Autoconfiguration Enabled . . . . : Yes

C:\USERS\DOTTIE>

===================================================
 
Dear Bob & Barb,

I just spoke to the friend who is familiar with the problem I'm
experiencing. He says Windows overlays the address space of most I/O
devices. Windows loads memory from the top down and the I/O devices have
high physical addresses.

Hopefully that will mean something to you. I don't understand why
increasing the RAM (over 3 Gb) will cause the problem. Wouldn't it be a
problem at < 3 Gb too if what I wrote above is correct?

He also said it's not a good idea to put a 2 GB and a 512 Mb chip in
together. I've read that the chips should be the same but the company I
bought the RAM from suggested 2 Gb + 1 Gb to give me the maximum of 3 Gb, so
I thought perhaps that's no longer a problem. My system doesn't run that
great with only 2 GB so I'd like to try and max out the RAM (and have
wireless, too).

Thank you,

DottieP
 
If you would like to be even more confused....

In device manager, View / resources by connection and show hidden devices.
expand Memory item

you will see the resources (reserved addresses, mostly hardware or hardware
emulation)
values 00000000 - 7fffffff are the first 2 GB of memory space, there are
pieces reserved for hardware in here on historical basis for compatibility.

values 80000000 - bffffffff are the next (third) GB of space

values C00000000 - ffffffff are the next (fourth) GB of space

I have only 2GB memory installed, hardware starts showing up at C00000000 -
Cffffffff which is my video card
D8000000 - Dbffffff is my TV tuner
and stuff continues

Based on this if I was to add a third GB of memory then I would be OK as my
hardware doesn't start showing up until C00000000 the fourth GB.

If you show hardware installed in the third GB (800000000 - bffffffff) then
you will have problems as the system tries to map both the hardware and the
memory to the same address space.

You can check to see if any hardware that is allocated in the third GB is
being forced there rather than letting Vista assign the addresses.

I don't have any where near your hardware configuration so I cannot give you
much more advise on just what your addressing should be.

Michael
 
where did you buy the RAM chips? what kind of RAM? which Intel
driver for the 3945 do you have? see
ftp://ftp.support.acer-euro.com/notebook/aspire_9410/vista/Drivers/
for one dated 6/8/07.

BTW, I see the Nortel VPN client is installed. I've read that this
VPN client is still not perfect. It might be worth uninstalling it
and rebooting to have a good base to work from.

Dear Bob & Barb,

I just spoke to the friend who is familiar with the problem I'm
experiencing. He says Windows overlays the address space of most I/O
devices. Windows loads memory from the top down and the I/O devices have
high physical addresses.

Hopefully that will mean something to you. I don't understand why
increasing the RAM (over 3 Gb) will cause the problem. Wouldn't it be a
problem at < 3 Gb too if what I wrote above is correct?

He also said it's not a good idea to put a 2 GB and a 512 Mb chip in
together. I've read that the chips should be the same but the company I
bought the RAM from suggested 2 Gb + 1 Gb to give me the maximum of 3 Gb, so
I thought perhaps that's no longer a problem. My system doesn't run that
great with only 2 GB so I'd like to try and max out the RAM (and have
wireless, too).

Thank you,

DottieP
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
Dear Michael,

You're right - I'm VERY confused. I'm not a technical person at all so
forgive my basic question. I've looked at the way my system uses memory but
don't know how to read it. Can I force certain devices to use addresses in
different locations to "fix" my problem? Would that just fix my wireless
problem when RAM is > 3,000 Mb or would it also allow my system to recognize
a full 4 Gb RAM?

From what you said, it sounds like mixing RAM chip sizes isn't a problem -
is that correct?

Thank you!

DottieP
 
Dear Barb,

I got the RAM from Data Memory Systems (DMS), who are wonderful to deal with
BTW. The 2 chips were 2 GB 200 Pin DDR2-667-PC2-5300 256X64 Cl5 1.8V SODIMM.
The one I returned didn't function correctly. By itself, I got no wireless
whereas the one I kept, by itself, supported wireless. DMS replaced the bad
2 GB chip with a 1GB chip which, by itself, supported wireless. It's when I
put the good 2 GB in with the good 1 GB that's when I lost wireless again,
because the RAM my system recognized was slightly over 3,000 Mb.

This weekend I will uninstall the Nortel VPN as you suggest. The desktop
people from my company installed it for me so I could access the company LANs
and cautioned me that they don't support Vista. Could that be part or all of
this particular problem?

Thank you,

DottieP
 
DottieP,

There are at least two ways in which addresses are 'forced'. In the BIOS
there may be options for 'mapping' or 'device mapping' etc that change how
physical addresses are mapped into logical addresses. In addition VISTA can
override those addresses for some types of devices.

Check the devices properties in Device Manager. Some devices have a
Resources Tab. This tab will show the resources (in your case memory is the
interesting item), Lets you know if it is using automatic settings or is
forcing the addresses used, and list any conflicts with other items in the
system.

You will not get 4GB of memory usage because some addressing space must be
used by the hardware. Most people get a little over 3GB when they install
4GB physical memory. If Your wireless problem is because its hardware is in
the 3GB range and you can move it then that should solve your wireless
problem.

The question is: is it actually worth the effort to get another 1GB? I
suspect that while the result might be measurable it won't be noticeable.
You have received some advice about mixing types/sizes of memory. On most
newer systems if you install 1GB 1GB 1GB 0GB your result will be a SLOWER
system (again measurable but I suspect not noticeable). The newer systems
try to read 'double' the data by processing pairs of memory banks at the
same time, if the memory is not uniformly 'paired' then the memory
controller drops down to processing them one at a time. For this reason,
those that want to get to 3GB for performance reasons generally buy 4GB and
only get to use 3GB.

Getting all of the 4GB (or more) requires a 64 bit (instead of your 32 bit)
hardware and operating system (Vista 64 versions), you probably don't want
to go there unless you have very large data base or graphics applications.

Sorry I cannot actually help you determine your BIOS options, check for
anything having to do with 'mapping' is about the best I can do.

Michael
 
that's one of the reasons I mentioned Nortel. It is impossible to
say, but knowing of issues, it is good trouble shooting to uninstall
something that is already known to be problematic.

This weekend I will uninstall the Nortel VPN as you suggest. The desktop
people from my company installed it for me so I could access the company LANs
and cautioned me that they don't support Vista. Could that be part or all of
this particular problem?
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
Dear Michael,

Thanks for your very helpful reply and for wording it so a novice can
actually understand it. I have a service request already open with ACER so I
may ask them for assistance.

With your explanation on mixing RAM sizes, I think I want to try the 4 Gb
route again. It' will take me some time but when I've made some progress
I'll post an update here.

Thank you,

DottieP
 
Dear Barb,

Thanks for following up. I will uninstall Nortel VPN as you suggest. My
employer loaded it on a company-owned laptop for me so I don't need it on my
personal PC anymore.

I don't know if you've been following Michael's posts, too, they are also
very helpful. I'm going to try changing the physical addresses, hopefully
with the help of ACER, so that I can increase the RAM to 3+Gb using a second
2 Gb chip. I'll post my results, but it will probably be a while before I
can work on it.

Thanks very much!

DottieP
 
sounds good. please keep us posted.

Dear Barb,

Thanks for following up. I will uninstall Nortel VPN as you suggest. My
employer loaded it on a company-owned laptop for me so I don't need it on my
personal PC anymore.

I don't know if you've been following Michael's posts, too, they are also
very helpful. I'm going to try changing the physical addresses, hopefully
with the help of ACER, so that I can increase the RAM to 3+Gb using a second
2 Gb chip. I'll post my results, but it will probably be a while before I
can work on it.

Thanks very much!

DottieP
Click to expand...
--

Barb Bowman
MS Windows-MVP
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/expertzone/meetexperts/bowman.mspx
http://blogs.digitalmediaphile.com/barb/
 
This problem is being caused because the machine you have is apparently
mapping the BIOS for the wireless NIC within the first 4GB of address space
(which is not unusual). However, normally this mapping occurs a little
higher in the address space (thus the "you can't get 4GB of RAM" common
knowledge quote below you've read about as that's typically where hardware
is mapped to - the upper end of the 4GB address space in 32-bit windows).

This instance is unusual in that your computer's BIOS should be mapping the
hardware resources in the upper end of the space. I would expect to see
just over 3GB of RAM with a machine with 4GB installed. The amount varies
by machine (since the resources used by the hardware are different from
model to model of computer).

Just out of curiosity, what wireless NIC chipset is it and what kind of
machine is it? You might check to see if BIOS updates are available for
your machine (not necessarily the NIC) and also check to see what options
(if any) you have in regards to this issue within the BIOS settings.

Joe
 
Back
Top