WRT54G V5 Flash Memory Upgrade Success!

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bukva j
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 0:51    Post subject: interseting problem Reply with quote
tav48 or anyone else who knows what i am experiencing.

Ok, so a while back i bought a pc133 128MB sodimm with chips having part number HY57V281620HCT-H which is a 16MB ram chip. Datasheet here http://pdf1.alldatasheet.net/datasheet-pdf/view/155537/HYNIX/HY57V281620HCT-H.html

It did not work for me as i have mentioned here http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=524767#524767

Now i bought different ram. It is pc133 256MB with chips having part number MT48LC16M16A2TG-75 which are 32MB chips. Datasheet here http://pdf1.alldatasheet.net/datasheet-pdf/view/75881/MICRON/MT48LC16M16A2.html

With the 16MB chips i had this issue found here http://www.dd-wrt.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?p=440390#440390

Now a couple of days ago I swapped out the ram for 32MB and I have a similar issue but different. The power light blinked non stop and the other lights just stayed on. Had it plugged in for 10 min and nothing changed. This was tried on 2 routers. Both are WRT54G but one v5 and 2nd v6.

From what I read, the router should boot up with the new ram, but mine didn't. Correct me if I'm wrong.

Also today after reading about it and thinking about it and trying to figure out what could be different in my situation I remembered something. My cfe is compressed to 128KB because I am running micro-plus on my routers. Could this be an issue why its not booting up. Also I wanted to mention that I re-soldered the 8MB, 16MB, and 32MB chips numerous times. Every time the original 8MB went back in, the routers would boot fine.

Any ideas? Let me know. Thanks in advance.

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LOM
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 6:47    Post subject: Re: interseting problem Reply with quote
bukva j wrote:

Any ideas? Let me know. Thanks in advance.


yes some ideas:

1. You are in weong thread, this thread is about upgrading the flash and not the ram.

2. You are in the wrong sub-forum, there is dd-wrt Hardware Mods forum and there are a couple of threads there where users has successfully upgrade their ram.
If you need to make a thread of your own, start it there.

3. You can not just throw in a bigger size ram chip and expect it to work out of the box.
The datasheets will show you the differences between the chips so make sure you have studied and understood them.

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bukva j
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PostPosted: Thu Mar 24, 2011 18:28    Post subject: Reply with quote
Sorry for not recognizing this as a flash upgrade post. I took it as both cause tav48 talks about flash upgrade then talks about ram upgrade. My apologies.
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bukva j
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PostPosted: Sat Mar 26, 2011 1:41    Post subject: Re: WRT54G V5 Memory Upgrade Reply with quote
tav48 wrote:


FYI; below is an example of how it’s done;

Total Width of Memory = 64 [Always 64].
Number of total chips on stick = 8 [Double Sided SODIMM]

Therefore; Bits per chip = 64 / 8 = 8 Bits.

Now; Memory Capacity of whole SODIMM stick [in Megabytes] = 256MB

Thus; we have 256 / 8 = 32MB of Memory in 8 Bit Mode.


But remember; the router functions in 16 bit mode; so we simply halve the capacity per chip to get the size in 16 bit mode = 32MB / 2 = 16MB.



Just to clarify. One would have to use a 8 bit ram chip on this router(32Mx8)? Or will a 16 bit chip(16Mx16)also work on this router.

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smokinabowl
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PostPosted: Wed Apr 06, 2011 17:32    Post subject: Reply with quote
sorry to open up an old thread, but this is exactly what im looking for.

I want to do the ram upgrade in the OP's second post on a wrt54g v5 router. i also have a v8 if that would be better (but i think not). I'm very good with hardware and can handle the soldering of smd components, but my problem lies with which chip to use. for the life of me i just cant understand which chip with what bit and how many megs etc etc. so before i attempt this, i'd like a second opinion as to which one to use. I have various sticks of pc133 sodimms sitting around so i'm hoping one of these can be used instead of purchasing a new one.

Based on what I read and tried to understand, i'm thinking this stick of ram would be the one to use based on its size and number of chips, but again i'm not sure. it's a 512mb pc133 sodimm, but it is an ECC ram module. there are 18 chips on it, 9 each side. i'm thinking the extra chip per side is for parity of the ECC but im just not sure. the part number on the chip is k4s280432c-tc75, samsung chip. The only datasheet i am able to find for this chip is for a tc/L75 - for a 128mb sodimm, so probably not the right one. but if i understand this correctly, its a 512mb stick, divide by 16 (subtract 2 for the parity chips?) = 32mb per chip? would this be in 8 bit mode or 16 bit mode? either way, that would give me at least the 16mb needed that the v5 can support, correct?

next ram chip is an infineon 128mb sodimm, part number hys64v16300gu-7.5-c2 . it is labeled as a 16Mx64 sdram sodimm, so as it is one-sided with 8 chips, im guessing each is 16mb for the total of 128mb on the stick. but again, is this in 8 bit mode or 16 bit mode? the number on the actual chip is hyb39s128800ct-7.5. i also have another infineon 128mb that is double-sided with 8 chips per side, with chip hyb39s64800ct-7.5

the only 256mb stick i have is double sided, 8 chips per side, and is a hyunday hy57v28820at-h chip. again, at 256mb divided by 16 chips, that should be 16mb per chip.

i have various other 128mb and 64mb sticks sitting around but the above ones were easiest to read. if none of those work, i can try some of the others i have. i also have another type of 512mb stick made by micron, but has the same 9 chips per side.

if anyone needs any of this memory, it is sitting around collecting dust and you're welcome to any of it. i cant see myself using pc133 ram anymore. probably the only pieces worth anything are the 3-4 gigs worth of 512mb ECC sticks sitting here. pm me if you would like it.

thanks for your help
bukva j
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 4:46    Post subject: Reply with quote
smokinabowl wrote:
for the life of me i just cant understand which chip with what bit and how many megs etc etc. so before i attempt this, i'd like a second opinion as to which one to use. I have various sticks of pc133 sodimms sitting around so i'm hoping one of these can be used instead of purchasing a new one.

Based on what I read and tried to understand, i'm thinking this stick of ram would be the one to use based on its size and number of chips, but again i'm not sure. it's a 512mb pc133 sodimm, but it is an ECC ram module. there are 18 chips on it, 9 each side. i'm thinking the extra chip per side is for parity of the ECC but im just not sure. the part number on the chip is k4s280432c-tc75, samsung chip. The only datasheet i am able to find for this chip is for a tc/L75 - for a 128mb sodimm, so probably not the right one.

next ram chip is an infineon 128mb sodimm, part number hys64v16300gu-7.5-c2 . it is labeled as a 16Mx64 sdram sodimm, so as it is one-sided with 8 chips, im guessing each is 16mb for the total of 128mb on the stick. but again, is this in 8 bit mode or 16 bit mode? the number on the actual chip is hyb39s128800ct-7.5. i also have another infineon 128mb that is double-sided with 8 chips per side, with chip hyb39s64800ct-7.5

the only 256mb stick i have is double sided, 8 chips per side, and is a hyunday hy57v28820at-h chip. again, at 256mb divided by 16 chips, that should be 16mb per chip.



1.) k4s280432c-tc75 won't work. It is 4 bit chip. http://www.datasheetcatalog.com/datasheets_pdf/K/4/S/2/K4S280432C.shtml

2.) hys64v16300gu-7.5-c2 is a ram stick part #

3.) hyb39s128800ct-7.5 is 16 megabyte in 8 bit. If installed will work as 8 megabyte on account of router being 16 bit.

4.) hyb39s64800ct-7.5 is 8mb and 8 bit

5.) hy57v28820at-h is same idea as #3

Also don't confuse megabit and megabyte. Data sheets usually go by megabits ie. 256Megabit(Mb) / 8 = 32 Megabyte(MB) then you also need to take into account if it is 8 or 16 bit chip.

Hope this helps.

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smokinabowl
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PostPosted: Fri Apr 08, 2011 15:11    Post subject: Reply with quote
so in essence, none of the chips i have will work. at this point, i think it would be better for me to just try and find a different router rather than go through the trouble of purchasing a chip that does work and spending the time on soldering, since i also want to upgrade the flash later on too.

thank you for the clarification
bukva j
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 09, 2011 4:12    Post subject: Reply with quote
smokinabowl wrote:
so in essence, none of the chips i have will work. at this point, i think it would be better for me to just try and find a different router rather than go through the trouble of purchasing a chip that does work and spending the time on soldering, since i also want to upgrade the flash later on too.

thank you for the clarification



Correct and no problem.

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bukva j
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PostPosted: Mon Apr 11, 2011 21:38    Post subject: gsv5 cfe Reply with quote
redhawk0 wrote:
Personally, I would try using the CFE from the GSv5 model...then the 16M would be recognized by the CFE at bootup...the firmware would just use its default CFE RAM variable.

The only real difference between the Gv5 and the GSv5 is the additional 8M of RAM.

redhawk



redhawk0, I am willing to try the GSv5 cfe on my Gv5. Could you send me the GSv5 cfe. I will pm you my mac addy.

Thanks,

Bukva J

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MeistroJeffro
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PostPosted: Sat Apr 23, 2011 3:49    Post subject: Reply with quote
I want to do this modification to a WRT54G v6. However, I cannot find a merchant online that will sell a 4Mb flash ram smd. Where can I purchase this part?
Dexter-WRT
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 15:11    Post subject: Re: WRT54G V5 Flash Memory Upgrade Success! Reply with quote
tav48 wrote:


1) What Flash chip can/do we use?
2) Are all the Address Lines connected to allow for full access to the flash chip??

A1) I am assuming that because the V4 router used the Intel TE28F320 - 4MB flash chip; it means that the V5 can too address similar 4MB TSOP 48 Pin chips. In order to keep any compatibility issues to a bare minimum; I opted to use 4MB flash chips which were already supported in the JTAG Debrick Utility. Check the readme for suitable flash chips.

At the time of modifying my V5 router; I personally opted for the AMD AM29LV320MB flash chip; as it was the only one I could find on eBay for a reasonable price.


My V5 uses a Samsung K8D1716UTC and one of the address line is different from the Intel TE28F320.
eg. Intel pin 15 = A19
but Samsung pin 9 = A19

Would a straight substitution work?

addendum:
I just noticed that the AMD AM29LV320MB you used also has the A19 line on pin 9 like my original Samsung 2Mbit
LOM
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PostPosted: Wed Jun 27, 2012 18:09    Post subject: Re: WRT54G V5 Flash Memory Upgrade Success! Reply with quote
Dexter-WRT wrote:


My V5 uses a Samsung K8D1716UTC and one of the address line is different from the Intel TE28F320.
eg. Intel pin 15 = A19
but Samsung pin 9 = A19

Would a straight substitution work?



I think you will find a jumper field (solder spots) right outside pin 9 (or pin 15) where you can add a 0 ohm surface mount resistor so A19 either goes to pin 9 or to pin 15.

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Dexter-WRT
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 15:03    Post subject: Re: WRT54G V5 Flash Memory Upgrade Success! Reply with quote
LOM wrote:

I think you will find a jumper field (solder spots) right outside pin 9 (or pin 15) where you can add a 0 ohm surface mount resistor so A19 either goes to pin 9 or to pin 15.

I don't quite get your suggestion.

Here is a pinout comparison between the original 2MB Samsung and the 4MB AMD and the 4MB Intel on a V5 board
The Samsung and AMD appear to be pin compatible (apart from the unconnected A20 on the Samsung) but the Intel has it's A9 line on a different pin (#15)
A9 line is highlighted in red
A20 is green



Quote:
A2) What we really need is for the A20 address line [Pin 10] to be connected to the Broadcom chipset; in order to utilise the full 4MB of flash memory. After closely investigating the V5 PCB; I came to the realisation that the A20 lane IS in fact connected IF your router has the following resistor connected.


Furthermore what resistor connected to A20 is tav48 referring to?
LOM
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 15:50    Post subject: Reply with quote
Look at the trace coming from above and the via hole at the X in RX102, that trace is A19 from the cpu.
The via hole is connected with a trace on the other side of the pcb and there is a new via hole for the A19 line to come up again near the R in RX103.

The marking of the solder field tells that the 0 ohm resistor is now in position RX100 which connects A19 to pin 9.
There is another option for a RX102 in same vertical position to the right of RX100 and that is the A21 "jumper field", connecting A21 to pin 9.
You can see the A21 trace from the cpu coming from above.

Horizontally there is the RX103 option for connecting VPP to pin 13, there is CB26 and RH29 which are 2 components that should be there (and are there), and finally there is RX101 as "jumper field" for A19 to pin 15.

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Dexter-WRT
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PostPosted: Thu Jun 28, 2012 16:56    Post subject: Reply with quote
Lets see if I got this right...

    1. If I wanted to use the Intel TE28F320, I'd have to move the 0 ohm resistor from RX100 > RX101?

    2. If I wanted to use an 8MB TE28F640 I have to move the 0 ohm resistor from RX100 > RX101 AND add one 0 ohm resistor to RX102.

    3. Since tav48 used the pin identical AMD AM29LV320 he could leave the resistor as is.

Is there a hidden and already connected trace under pin 10 for the A20 line?

What is the function of the Vpp line on the Intel?
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