Bekijk de volledige versie : RAM upgrade for wl-500gx
Hi!
I want to try to add more memory for my wl-500gx by de-soldering original K4S281632F-TC75(8Mx16) SDRAM chips and adding K4S561632E-TC75 (16Mx16). Such action will (theoretically) give me 64MB of RAM, allowing me to run more programs. Anybody had such experience with this router?
Seems not.
This may invoke an extra needed adress line which is maybe unavaliable on the board, and sure a rework of the bootloader. Good luck afterall, it shouldn´t be impossible :).
Greets
CountZero
19-08-2006, 22:33
Have you (or anyone else) done this yet? If not, do you know if the A12 line is in fact routed to the processor? Seems easy enough to replace the chips but adding the A12 line might be a bit tricky I think...
Thanks in advance
/Daniel
CountZero
20-08-2006, 20:39
Hi again!
I checked the schematic and layout and the needed address line is present, with a series resistor to each memory chip. So by simply soldering two 0OHM jumpers (or put a solderblob..) and you have the needed hardware to support 64MB memory...
..actually using the memory is something else, can this perhaps be as easy as in the 16MB->32MB with nvram settings? any thoughts?
/Daniel
Interesting topic. Not that I can add anything useful here, but still.... :)
fero_hora
04-10-2006, 20:01
any update about memory upgrade in deluxe ?
thanks
CountZero
04-12-2006, 23:38
Hi!
I have some(partially) good news. I have replaced the memory chips and the router boots up and reports the 64MBs of memory.
now to the partial part:)
Router is very unstable and reboots if trying to ftp large files etc..
I do belive this is caused by bad solder joints and will go through them again, I did the soldering in a hurry last friday while getting ready for a party. Needless to say the router did not boot up after that, no power led and working as a switch no output on the serial console. After fixing a few shorst today the router booted up and reported all the memory, but I suspect that a few pins might have intermittent faults leading to the unstable behaviour so I will redo the soldering then time permits.
conclusion:
This has a high potential to work, but take your time replacing the chips:) and don't forget R68&R69...
will get back with an update and pictures then I have had time to redo the sloppy soldering.
CountZero
05-12-2006, 12:40
Finally, It's working. Pictures will have to wait till I get my digital camera back.. The memory chips I use are 48LC16M16A2-75 from micron. The following output is after large ftp transfers.
(none) login: admin
Password:
[admin@(none) root]$ free
total used free shared buffers
Mem: 62556 61380 1176 0 1756
Swap: 0 0 0
Total: 62556 61380 1176
[admin@(none) root]$
CountZero, where did you get those memory chips, and how much are they?
Which type of packaging are your chips of? There are several, and I'm sure FBGA won't work ;-)
I'd like to upgrade my WL-500gx too :-)
If have squid and tor running on the router, and they consume a lot of memory...
CountZero
06-12-2006, 10:31
I gave up on finding suitable PC133 SDRAM, so I bought it from farnell (http://uk.farnell.com/jsp/search2/browse.jsp?N=500015+1003965&Ntk=gensearch_001&Ntt=sdram&Ntx=).
A bit on the expesive side but I bought it through a company with volume discount.
I'm sure the BGA would work if you mount it upside-down and solder small wires to the correct places;) but I don't like fiddleing around with that many small wires so I got the TSOP instead:) Just open up the router and compare, its the two 54 pin ic's.
Just be sure of what you are doing and feel comfortable dealing with fine-pitch SMD. The jumpers needed are in size 0402 so they are quite small as well(I cut small pieces of brass shim-stock since I didn't want to buy a full reel of 10000 pcs:)).
Hi all,
CountZero, why didn't you use the Samsung's IC K4S561632E-TC75 (16MX16 166MHz)?
which values you have set in nvram to view 62556 byte?
CountZero
16-12-2006, 17:11
@Ivan
I used what I could get, and 166MHz is for the -60 version
I could have used the CL2 verison(-7E) but it didn't occur to me...
As I said, no change of nvram variables necessary(but ncdl should be cleared, se posts #33-35 in this thread: http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=3892&p=2 ) the memory size is autodetected by CFE during bootup.
refer to this page for sdram variables: http://wl500g.dyndns.org/sdram.html
as you can see, 128MB would be possbile with 512Mbit chips. These are hower not very easy to obtain(in small quantities at least):(
Edit: Since 32Mx16 DDR chips seems common you could possibly get 128MB if you are adventurous.....
well
If I find IC K4S561632E-TC75, I can try it. ;)
I hope... :)
512Mbit chips have 66 pins. It's difficult. :eek:
CountZero
16-12-2006, 21:52
512Mbit chips have 66 pins. It's difficult. :eek:
Not the ones I had in mind....
http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/dram/sdram/512MbSDRAM.pdf
Edit: digikey has them in stock: http://www.digikey.com/scripts/dksearch/dksus.dll?KeywordSearch?Keywords=MT48LC32M16A2TG-75:C%20TR%20MICRON&site=us
eh eh do you have try debian with 64Mb?
CountZero
16-12-2006, 22:59
Too expensive for me:( But digikey was cheaper.. if it weren't for shipping and import duties... well well 64MB is enough for now:)
No, and I don't plan to, 128MB would be helpful for debian I think..
I am quite happy with Olegs firmware for the moment. I have tested transmission without any swap and it seems to run fine. Still have to do some more testing with more active torrents(max 2 so far) but I don't have a suitable HDD(i.e a silent one).
on my WL500G Deluxe I have Olegs firmware + debian and... AMULE :D
It work correctly but if I put more 6 files to download, swap wake up to 30Mb and cpu usage is too expansive.
swap file on HDD is too late...
I've 80Gb HDD 2.5" attacked to USB port. :)
perhaps with 64Mb it work perfectly. ;)
CountZero
16-12-2006, 23:23
I have a 3.5" HDD, but keep it switched off for most of the time... next time I get one with automatic spindown :)
Next thing on my list is a quiet 2.5" hdd (but one of the 1.8" would be nice :D )
Main motivation for doing the mod was to see if it was possible:) and perhaps download torrents while away(possible anyway)... I'm not realy a software guy.. more interested in hardware:)
If you do upgrade, practice on something cheaper first until you feel you can do the soldering without damage to the router.. like an old motherboard, find a suitable chip, remove it and put it back... hopefully it will work as before (but do check that it worked in the first place:D )
Thanks :D
However, you have buy and mount MT48LC16M16A2P-75: D from micron, confirm?
CountZero
17-12-2006, 09:37
MT48LC16M16A2P-75
Yes, that is what I have. Don't forget about the two jumpers also.. they are on the other side of the board.
I will try to post pictures by thursday.
Edit The P/TG is only for Rohs so unless you are worried about that it does'nt matter.
CountZero
22-12-2006, 14:48
As promised, pictures!
Merry Christmas, everyone!
1187
1188
Fine work :-)
You could try to clean off the residue of the soldering with alcohol.
Merry christmas from me too!
CountZero
22-12-2006, 22:19
Thanks,
Its a no-clean flux and quite hard to get rid off! I did the soldering twice since I was a bit sloppy the first time, in the end it turned out to be one of the bridges, so I used a bit more flux then necessary. Not my finest work I can tell you :)
I am a bit tempted to try and fit 128MB, now that I have a source for the chips.. still a bit pricey though.
eheh nice work Countzero!! :)
I am still finding the Chips :(
Merry Christmas, everyone ;)
First of all, thanks a lot to CountZero for sharing his experience in upgrading the RAM of WL500GD.
I managed to get and install 128MB RAM into my WL500GD router. But unfortunately CFE is only reporting 64MB usable RAM. The detail is on this thread (http://forum.openwrt.org/viewtopic.php?id=9188).
Since all the row addresses (A0-A12) are there, so I thought it is only a matter of changing the column addressing from 9 bits to 10 bits, i.e. change sdram_init from 0x2008 to 0x2010. But it looks like that we have to change something on the CFE. Unfortunately I don't know anything about CFE codes.
Does any of you (Oleg?) have any suggestions as to which part on the CFE codes should I change?
nvram set sdram_init=0x2010
nvram set sdram_ncdl=0
nvram commit
I've 128 MB of ram enabled on the WL500g Premium. It's detected just fine.
The following image is from WL500gx FCC schematics page 138:
http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/2185/sdramtr7.png
I am thinking about piggy-back upgrade to 64MB with 64Mbit SDRAM 1Meg x 16 x 4 SDRAM (http://download.micron.com/pdf/datasheets/dram/sdram/64MSDRAM.pdf).
I think that removing R38 and then connecting backed CS# to SD_A12 is a way to go. Connecting R38-pin2 to R68|R69-pin1 will alternate selection of original and backed SDRAMs.
But where can I find inverted SD_A12 for lower chips? Maybe simple transistor/resistor could do the job.
This way seems to me the safest way to upgrade to 64MB as one can also check both banks with alternating CS# to high/low before changing sdram_init.
Any progress on 128MB upgrade for wl500g deluxe?
Winbond 64Mbit SDRAM (http://www.ortodoxism.ro/datasheets2/e/0l7ciixxlg156u8yy9tht2x92epy.pdf)
I 've upgraded two Deluxe routers to 64MB with chips from 128MB PC 133 SDRAM module.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2102/128mbsdrammodulerc6.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=128mbsdrammodulerc6.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1897/ceramicplateremovaljd3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ceramicplateremovaljd3.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5053/cutpinsho0.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cutpinsho0.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8344/newinstalledym3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newinstalledym3.jpg)
What surprised me is that no NVRAM variables were needed to recognize additional RAM.
I've also wrote mini howto upgrade (http://begunje.dyndns.org/articles/wl500gx-ram-upgrade/index.html) for this occasion.
mistraller
27-02-2007, 22:22
Wow! Sounds great, as soon as I find another Deluxe I will try this mod too. (I can't miss my running deluxe in case the upgrade fails...)
Tamadite
08-03-2007, 21:58
Does somebody know if there is some guarantee this is to work on a WL-500g?
I have taken a look at the schematics of the WL-500GX but I do not find the R68&R69 connected in the same manner in the WL-500G. I do not get continuity between R68&R69 and leg 36.
Tamadite
18-03-2007, 18:03
On WL-500g leg no. 36 (SD_A12) on memory chip is not connected hence memory upgrade is not possible.
I'm definitely interested in this upgrade. It looks like this module would do the trick for 2 128 MB upgrades. What say ye?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820136009
I like the idea of buying new chips from Digikey because then you don't have to desolder, but I am pretty good at desoldering, and considering the price difference, the Kingston module seems good.
Looks OK. Go for IT. Post results.
nvram set sdram_init=0x2010
nvram set sdram_ncdl=0
nvram commit
I've 128 MB of ram enabled on the WL500g Premium. It's detected just fine.
Hi
How can this be done? Does gp has 128mb on board or a (de)soldering operation is needed?
Thanks
Hi Guys,
Now I'm using competitive firmware DD-WRT,
but I tried to upgrade WL-500gp to 128MB RAM according to post http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=7048&highlight=hynix
I need more RAM to run asterisk. Now I'm using Torrent client and FTP server with USB disk.
Unfortunately upgrade failed. Slowly I'm induce to Oleg's firmware, but decision like this required time to configure router once again and familiarize with new firmware.
I'm not a linux specialist, so this is not easy for me.
This is quote from DD-WRT forum, but nobody can help me. Maybe somebody of you give me answer.
I'm tried failed RAM upgrade (to 128 MB) on the WL-500gp. It was done by follow post from Oleg's forum:
[URL="http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=7048&highlight=hynix (is written in russian language, but I know it a little). Before replacing memory chip from 2x HY5DU281622ETP-5 to 2x HY5DU121622CTP-J, (which should give me 128 MB) I sets NVRAM settings (only 16 MB):
nvram set sdram_init=0x000b
nvram set sdram_config=0x0032
nvram set sdram_ncdl=0
nvram commit
Desoldering and resoldering was not so easy (I haven't experience with hot air station).
Finally router doesn't want boot correctly. Power led came on, but router don't respond on ping. So I replace memory chips once again for new one (maybe damaged ? over temperature ?), without new result, and again new chip and again the same. It was possible to put router in firmware restoration state (by pressing together restoration switch with power on), power led start flashing, but putting firware was not possible.
My questions is:
DD-WRT can support 128 MB RAM ?
How works memory detectiom at startup ? Only by NVRAM settings ? CFE ?
Generally what was wrong ?
I came back to old one memory chips, work fine.
sorry for my english
Which setting I have to set before upgrade ?
Problem was with firmware or not ?
regards Gidus
So, I understand my mistake. Problem probably was with NVRAM settings.
Module HY5DU121622CTP-J is a DDR333, works only with CL2 or CL2.5
I try to understand rules for set correct nvram variable settings sdram_config,sdram_init http://wl500g.dyndns.org/sdram.html
but could you help me and suggest correct one for
HY5DU121622CTP-J ? http://www.hynix.com/datasheet/pdf/dram/HY5DU124(8,16)22C(L)TP(Rev1.5).pdf
regards Gidus
Have anyone did it success , Pls tell the step in eng.
Thank you very much..
Has anyone can tell step for wl500gp.
Can anyone translate this thread or provide step by step guide?
http://wl500g.info/showthread.php?t=7048
Would it be nice to have 128Mb of ram for wl500gp :D
use babelfish (http://babelfish.altavista.com/) it to translate :D
George
use babelfish (http://babelfish.altavista.com/) it to translate :D
George
Yes I have already tried babelfish and google translate but I'm afraid I'm missing something.
typically, what are the tools that u will need to do these stuff? .. that is, adding more RAM. from what i gather, we must have excellent de-soldering and soldering skills to do so?
are there multiple methods to do it? where can I find tutorials on how to solder on new RAMs?
lastly, i do not understand.. what is the issue that is limiting us from adding alot of memory? why can't the router detect properly / function as it should if the RAM used is too large?
mistraller
26-09-2007, 22:45
I 've upgraded two Deluxe routers to 64MB with chips from 128MB PC 133 SDRAM module.
http://img207.imageshack.us/img207/2102/128mbsdrammodulerc6.th.jpg (http://img207.imageshack.us/my.php?image=128mbsdrammodulerc6.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/1897/ceramicplateremovaljd3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=ceramicplateremovaljd3.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/5053/cutpinsho0.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=cutpinsho0.jpg)http://img206.imageshack.us/img206/8344/newinstalledym3.th.jpg (http://img206.imageshack.us/my.php?image=newinstalledym3.jpg)
What surprised me is that no NVRAM variables were needed to recognize additional RAM.
I've also wrote mini howto upgrade (http://begunje.dyndns.org/articles/wl500gx-ram-upgrade/index.html) for this occasion.
Oleo, I have a deluxe for testing, and a 4 chip 128MB PC100 sdram package. So, I'm ready for the upgrade, but is there a reason for PC133 instead of PC100?
In your tutorial, you say that 128mb is the maximum possible configuration. If I find a 4 chip 256MB module, will it bring me 128MB when I use your tutorial?
PC133 means 60ns while PC100 means 70ns RAM speed. If you look at schematics you'll see -6 RAM is specified. I could not tell you if PC100 will work, but I assume that it should. If you look at http://wl500g.dyndns.org/sdram.html you will see that there is cas_latency whch is calibrated during boot if sdram_ncdl is reset. So there is a chance that PC100 should work.
With 256MB 4chip module you could have 128MB router. Oleg reported success on Premium, while I've read that Deluxe had problems with 128MB.
Hi!
I want to say "Thank you" to all contributors in this topic. Thank you, that you have believed in this, for a first look, crazy idea. Thank you for priceless hints, that you gave to all WL-500 fans. I have completed this project and now want to bring my coin into the piggy bank =)
I have successfully used Hynix memory from an old 4-chip 128Mb PC-133 SDRAM module. The chip was HY57V561620CT-H. The chips from the DIMM module were desoldered using an kitchen oven, just like oleo did it, but the RAM chips from the motherboard I have removed using an ancient technology, described here:TSOP Removal (http://www.megajournal.ru/journal/users_data/11049/msg_files/24469/video2_tsop48.wmv)
grishenko
29-12-2007, 11:25
Is it necessary to change any more (in hardware or software) to put 128MB in addition to soldering the chips?
From my experience, there is nothing to do except carefully resolder chips. Boot loader detects memory change itself.
stevecissp
15-04-2008, 04:23
PC133 means 60ns while PC100 means 70ns RAM speed. If you look at schematics you'll see -6 RAM is specified. I could not tell you if PC100 will work, but I assume that it should. If you look at http://wl500g.dyndns.org/sdram.html you will see that there is cas_latency whch is calibrated during boot if sdram_ncdl is reset. So there is a chance that PC100 should work.
With 256MB 4chip module you could have 128MB router. Oleg reported success on Premium, while I've read that Deluxe had problems with 128MB.
Has there been any new success stories out there operating a WL-500gx reliably on 128MB or is 64MB the established limit?
As far as ram selection goes. Is it fair to state any PC133 memory with work or is it more specific? There are plenty of PC133 168pin dimms on ebay including many 512mb (16 x 32) which are well priced or alternatively there are plenty of 8 chip laptop ram modules which are stated as being PC133.
Advise here would be appreciated.
Thanks
Steve
Rasmuskarlsen
23-12-2008, 11:30
Hey... A dummie question...
I can't remember if i opened for det extra 16Mb og RAM on the router for some years ago...
When i type "free" in the console on the router, i get the following:
total used free shared buffers
Mem: 30164 15508 14656 0 1656
Swap: 0 0 0
Total: 30164 15508 14656
Tamadite
23-12-2008, 21:17
Hey... A dummie question...
I can't remember if i opened for det extra 16Mb og RAM on the router for some years ago...
When i type "free" in the console on the router, i get the following:
total used free shared buffers
Mem: 30164 15508 14656 0 1656
Swap: 0 0 0
Total: 30164 15508 14656
You are using 32MB.
mistraller
05-05-2009, 21:58
Finally, I found hardware, AND time to do this upgrade. At the moment I'm practicing myself with desoldering/soldering the chips. I use the method as described earlier, with wick and a 40W soldering iron. This looks like a fast and reliable solution. Tomorrow I will try the first router, I have three units to do ;)
mistraller
06-05-2009, 22:34
First deluxe is upgraded to 64MB!
First test was not good, there was no output on serial port. I looked again, and there was one tiny connection between 2 pins.
That did the trick!
Router booted normally, with 64MB reported!
total used free shared buffers
Mem: 62968 10096 52872 0 1208
Swap: 0 0 0
Total: 62968 10096 52872
Great! Another 2 deluxe's to go!
First I will run this one for a while, to see if it will be stable.
I used Corsair SDram 128MB PC133 module, 4 chip on one side.
mistraller
13-01-2010, 23:43
I'm selling my wl500gx routers, because I'm migrating to other hardware. But I have still some memory chips messing around here, which will fit for the Deluxe router! So, if you're interested in them, send me a message. I can also do the upgrade for other people, my deluxe is running fine until now on 64MB.
If you want me to do the upgrade, send me a message.