Weird memory detection problem on Compaq M700

[ph.schulz at gmx.de (Phil Schulz)]

Christopher Smith wrote:
[...]
> I have a Compaq Armada M700 that I used for a firewall.  I've recently
> upgraded the memory in it to 320MB (64MB onboard + 256MB).  The machine
> detects the memory fine.  The FreeBSD bootloader detects the memory fine.
> However, when the kernel boots it only detects 64MB.

I don't know if this is related but I'll post anyways hoping to help you.

I have an older Armada laptop which has the same problem, however it's 
running OpenBSD. I remember reading that the BIOS of the laptop wouldn't 
announce the right amount of physical memory to the kernel. The solution 
  (for OpenBSD) is to add a line that reads
	machine mem +0x1000000_(_at_)_0x1000000
to /etc/boot.conf - Note that this is for 32MB onboard + 32MB in the 
add. slot.

[...]
> 
> I realise I can use "options MAXMEM" to manually specify the amount of RAM
> in the machine, but it just struck me as rather strange that it detects
> 192MB fine but not 320MB (particularly since the bootloader sees it all).
> 

Try it. See if it works. I think it's pretty much the same thing I did 
with my OpenBSD laptop.

Regards,

Phil.