Video Memory problem

[Guest Thunderhawk66]

Hi everyone, I just installed Windows 98SE and in "dxdiag", in the Display tab, it displays Approx. Total Memory as 5.5 MB.

In Windows XP it correctly recognised it as 64 MB.

A picture is here.

I am using an HP Pavilion 564a (link) and am using the latest Intel Extreme Graphics drivers.

Can this problem be fixed? And does it matter that it isn't showing the Memory properly?

[Andromeda43]

Most HP's use an on-board video card. It's built right into the motherboard.

Since it's on-board it has no memory chips of its own and has to borrow some from the system ram.

Many bios's will let you set how much system ram to designate as Video ram. It looks like your Video is using about 8 megs of system ram.

This would be very normal for an older HP. Nothing to get all flustered about.

If you're running a computer today with only 64 megs of RAM installed, you're really running at a horrible disadvantage. I'd get some more ram into that PC, ASAP. At the very least another 64meg stick.

Enjoy!

Andromeda43

[Guest Thunderhawk66]

Sorry, I have 256 MB of RAM installed, and Integrated Graphics.

The Integrated Graphics has it's own 64 MB RAM.

On Windows XP it shows 64 MB, but on Windows 98SE it only shows 5.5 MB.

Edited July 30, 2006 by Thunderhawk66

[bilemke]

Direct link to specs page for the motherboard in that machine..

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/documen...ocname=bph07813

Actually, it says up to 48 mb..

The number isnt the key.. The words "Up to" are.. It is sucking memory from your main ram..

That means the driver could actually be respoinsible for reserving the amount of ram.. You are obviously using a different driver then you were before (9x vs XP)..

If you havent already, I would check for the latest IGP driver from Intel for the 845GL chipset.. It might default to a higher amount of ram being used for the video.. Or, you might be able to select it through the drivers little control application Intel includes..

[Shindo_Hikaru]

I have searched intel's site, only reference to 845GL is the Chipset for the board, i have found 845G graphics controller drivers.

[Guest Thunderhawk66]

Thanks for the help.

I have the latest drivers installed and I can't seem to find any option in the Extreme Graphics application to change the RAM.

Will the fact that it is only showing 5.5 MB impact anything?

Like gaming, etc?

[LLXX]

According to something I read on the Intel site a while ago, their integrated graphics controllers can dynamically adjust the amount of system memory allocated to VRAM.

[charles__]

http://support.intel.com/products/chipsets/eg1/index.htm

Note the Intel Extreme Graphics is integrated in the Intel® 845G, 845GE, 845GL and 845GV chipsets.

This would be the card.

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/gaming/index.htm

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-010483.htm

Note this card uses Dynamic Video Memory Technology

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/...b/CS-009088.htm

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/...b/cs-009075.htm

This document describes the memory allocation and usage model for the Intel® 845G/GL Chipset

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/df-support...G/readme_9x.txt

The 845g drivers covers all chips.

Did you read this txt on installing the driver?

Edited July 30, 2006 by charles__

[charles__]

have you installed the INF Update Utility [iNFINST.EXE]

This utility installs INF files that inform the operating system how to properly configure the chipset for specific functionality such as USB and AGP.

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df...SE〈=eng

http://downloadfinder.intel.com/scripts-df...mp;submit=Go%21

64MB is available with driver version 11.1 and later. Driver versions prior to 11.1 are limited to a maximum of 48MB.

http://www.intel.com/support/graphics/inte...cs+845main&

Edited July 31, 2006 by charles__

[LLXX]

http://support.intel.com/products/chipsets/eg1/index.htm

Note the Intel Extreme Graphics is integrated in the Intel® 845G, 845GE, 845GL and 845GV chipsets.

This would be the card.

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/gaming/index.htm

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/sb/CS-010483.htm

Note this card uses Dynamic Video Memory Technology

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/...b/CS-009088.htm

http://support.intel.com/support/graphics/...b/cs-009075.htm

This document describes the memory allocation and usage model for the Intel® 845G/GL Chipset

http://downloadmirror.intel.com/df-support...G/readme_9x.txt

The 845g drivers covers all chips.

Did you read this txt on installing the driver?

This is what I was refering to.

[Guest Thunderhawk66]

Thanks for the help everyone.

I read the Dynamic Video Memory Technology White Paper (link) that charles__ linked and it seemed to answer my question.

4.3 Microsoft* DirectX* Diagnostic Tool

The Microsoft* DirectX* Diagnostic Tool is included in most versions of Windows. On the “Display” tab of

this utility, there is an item labeled: “Approx. Total Memory.” The amount of video memory listed on this tab

varies among Windows versions, DirectX versions, graphics driver versions, and the current video mode. In

Windows 98 configurations, the amount reported will typically be .5 MB to 5 MB or higher, depending on

screen resolution and applications running.

Thanks again for the help everyone

[KingAuther]

Maybe instead of a reboot.. you just need to run Cacheman Memory Restore, and CCleaner..?

[charles__]

Since this is a new install I would check device manager in safe mode for ghost devices. It is a known problem for 98