I bought a 32MB/32MB Axim. I doubt that Dell has two different PCB's for the two different configurations (32MB/32MB and 64MB/48MB). I am looking for disassembly instructions for the Axim so I can see if it can be upgraded. I can get any FLASH and Sync DRAM, and have a rework lab at my disposal for the upgrade. Does anybody have any prior experience? Fibrizio (sp?) said that he found disassembly instructions, but I could not. Once I determine that it can be done, and figure out the parts required, I will help others get the parts sets. Thanks for the help.

There's a link from the forums and I sent you an email with it...

http://www.iit.edu/~parrlaw/axim.html

Also the site does not cover removal of the LCD ribbon cables as 1 of them (the big flat one, is different than the other 2. If you get to that point and need help, email me again. I would like to see you suceed as I am stuck with 32/32 as well... Even 64/32 would be nice... heck 64/64 would rock... Unless you could somehow do 128/128... The memory chips seem to be standard ram modules...

The axim 300 has 2

Infineon
HYB39L128160AT-8

The axim 400 has 2

INFINEON
HYB39L256160AT-8

here's the spec sheet for the ram...
http://www.infineon.com/cmc_upload/d...B39L256160.pdf

And look here... they make 512Mb chips... you could put 128mb of ram on your axim... (ooooohh.... drool drool... If you get this to work, promise me that you'll mod my axim for me first ^_^ then start a buisness)

http://www.infineon.com/cgi/ecrm.dll....jsp?oid=23931

** IF ** you can get a serious RAM upgrade in the Ax (for a reasonable price)...put me in as #2 on the list.

...as visions of 256MB onboard RAM dances in my head...

...Ok, maybe a little hopeful ??

Chris...

Youth & Skill are no match for Age & Treachery !!

 

It appears that we will be able to upgrade to 64MB SDRAM without much trouble. The Infineon parts exist. Upgrading to 128MB is still up in the air. I have ordered samples for the 64MB upgrades, but the parts for the 128MB upgrade are probably not available... from Infineon. Infineon currently only offers the big part (512Mbit) in a different package - 54 pin BGA, as opposed to the needed 54 pin TSOP. Reworking TSOP is relatively low risk.
I'm sure Dell didn't launch the Axim without second sourcing on their SDRAM, so I am looking for that now... I expect to find it from either Micron or Samsung. I post more when I know it. I am also having my Infineon representative find out if the 512Mbit parts will ever be available in 54 pin TSOP... A 120MB Axim is intriguing - but I haven't even checked yet if the package is capabale of supporting another address bit.

As for the FLASH upgrade to 64MB (actually 48MB)... I don't see much point in all the work for a 16MB delta. I am expecting that the 'missing' 16MB is really there, but occupying the memory address range required by the OS. Also, replacing the FLASH parts is much riskier due to the fact that they are BGA. BGA rework has lower yield and requires capital investment in some tools. I may already have the correct tools for the package; I will check into this, and report back. Regardless, with 512MB CF cards selling for <$70, I don't see much point pursuing the FLASH upgrade.

If you want to help... the following project(s) will be helpful later:
1. extract the OS code from the FLASH. I expect this to be less than 16MB. This will be needed if we do pursue the FLASH upgrade, as it appears that the parts were preprogrammed prior to installation in the AXIM (hence the individual labels).
We may have to pre-program the FLASH prior to installation, or we may be able to program it in-circuit - if a diagnostic connection was provided.
2. Someone can check the Infineon 256Mbit SDRAM datasheet and determine if another address bit is possible, or if it is already pin-limited. Available at: http://www.infineon.com/cmc_upload/documents/036/320/HYB39L256160.pdf
3. Apparently the CPU core voltage is register programmable. Does anybody know how to modify the X-Scale register set to INCREASE the CPU core voltage (probably necessary for more reliable 500MHz operation)?

Thanks all.

I'm not 100% sure, but the voltage control I THINK would have to be external to the XScale, if it exists (As it does on some XScale based PDA's like the toshiba I think) you are writing to an external memory mapped voltage control register..

I'll look into this..

As for messing with the FLASH (backing it up, flashing it in-circuit, restoring it) I'm interested in that for the purpose of Linux on Axim.. (LinuAxim? ) ..

The difference between 128MB and 256MB is the A12 Raw address line. There is also an additional free pin inside the 256MB chip. Think a 512MB chip with the right pinning should be possible.
The only problem is maybe the software. We don't know if the 300MHz software can handle more RAM ?

Dunno if 256MB of SDRAM will be of any use in a PPC, SD/CF cards are cheap and best thing: those thing don't use any battery!

256MB is going to soak a lot of energy.

Dell Axim X5 400Mhz/64MB
SanDisk 256MB SD/ 64MB+128MB CF
Pretec WiFi

If the hardware is present, and the memory is addressable, then it would require some hacking to get the Axim to recognize any more. When it boots (from a hard reset) the flash will set up page tables to address the memory that is there. Any address space not desgined as memory will not be set up.

Obviously when WinCE boots it reads this info out of some static table in flash to build the page tables. This info would have to be modified so that it sets up page tables that address the extra memory.. This would be tough but not impossible.. If someone could snag a binary image of the flash that would help. If someone could snag an image of both the 300 and 400mhz that would help immensley because the diff would probably just be this address mapping information.

here is the second source for the SDRAM chips :-)

http://download.micron.com/pdf/datas...56msdram_f.pdf

next SDRAM link :-). Think this type is standard.

http://www.mitsubishichips.com/data/...ory/index.html

Take a look at Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM).

So what's the story? Is it possible?

Infineon will not sample the parts; they directed me to distribution, but disty also has none of the TSOP parts in stock (they have BGA, but that doesn't help me unless I want to build an adapter). I have also found a second source from Hynix (old LG/Hyundai). PN HY57V561620B-P. I requested the Hynix parts today.

As for the question 'Can this be done?': Yes, a 32/32 Axim can be upgraded to a 64/32... probably. But I still need parts to confirm.

512Mbit SDRAM do not appear to be available yet, so your dreams of a 128/32 Axim are a pipedream for now.

I disagree with a poster above that said that this whole investigation is unnecessary because 'CF is so cheap'... Because programs are not run out of CF... they are run out of SDRAM... bumping SDRAM will allow more things to stay resident, and run faster.

I'll keep working on it...

I think you responded to my post:

I agree to that but 256Mb is a bit overkill... If you manage to get a 128Mb upgrade working I will be interested

Dell Axim X5 400Mhz/64MB
SanDisk 256MB SD/ 64MB+128MB CF
Pretec WiFi

Ditto!

Bump.