Question about home computer Video Memory?

[Big Bubba]

Got a question for all of you. I have an old home computer, maybe 8 years old, that uses Windows XP service pack 3 that my younger daughter uses. I went to install an interactive learning game for her and I got a message saying that I don't have enough "video memory" to support the program I am trying to install and it needs a minimum of 64MB to run it basically this is in my own words not exactly what the computer said though and will not install it. My question is do I need to upgrade her video card with higher memory or what not sure and how do I check to see what video memory she has now currently on it? Thanks, Bob

 

[mscher]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Most cards now have soldered memory and cannot be upgraded.

You should be able to buy a newer card with more memory for a reasonable price.

Marty

 

[JoeCrow]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Buy an inexpensive 256 meg card (about $30 or less) on e-Bay
Most newer machines have video already on the motherboard and share memory
Gamers are running cards that have 2 gig or more memory
Everything is much more graphics intensive than it was only a few years ago
My first machine had a 340 meg hard drive and 8 meg of ram
Times change

 

[JustJason]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

its not a dell is it?

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Got a question for all of you. I have an old home computer, maybe 8 years old, that uses Windows XP service pack 3 that my younger daughter uses. I went to install an interactive learning game for her and I got a message saying that I don't have enough "video memory" to support the program I am trying to install and it needs a minimum of 64MB to run it basically this is in my own words not exactly what the computer said though and will not install it. My question is do I need to upgrade her video card with higher memory or what not sure and how do I check to see what video memory she has now currently on it? Thanks, Bob

Depending on your setup, you might be able to alocate more memory to the video card, if it shares memory with the MB.

Do you have a separate video card, or is the VGA connection soldered to the MB?

If it's soldered to the MB, you should be able to go into your bios (Usually by hitting F10, F12, or Delete, during the "POST" section of startup). Once you're in there, you can change the amount of memory that your video card is allowed to use.

 

[Big Bubba]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Hello again,
I took the side panel of the computer in question and to me the memory definitely looks like it is integrated in with the motherboard. So yes I tried to hit all F10, F12, and DELETE and I didn't have any luck but is there a trick I don't know that I need to do to make that work? I really don't want to spend alot of money on my young daughters computer if I can transfer some memory to the video card. Let me know and I think transferring the memory will work if I can figure it out. Thanks, Bob

 

[Adjuster]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Your much better off just buying an inexpensive video card. For that computer you most likely need an AGP card but you need to verify AGP or PCI. With the video card everything will run smoother and faster. An easy, inexpensive upgrade to put new life in an old machine. You don't need anything bigger than 128mb video card and should be able to pick one up in the $15-20 range.

 

[Uraijit]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Hello again,
I took the side panel of the computer in question and to me the memory definitely looks like it is integrated in with the motherboard. So yes I tried to hit all F10, F12, and DELETE and I didn't have any luck but is there a trick I don't know that I need to do to make that work? I really don't want to spend alot of money on my young daughters computer if I can transfer some memory to the video card. Let me know and I think transferring the memory will work if I can figure it out. Thanks, Bob

When your computer FIRST boots, before the windows startup screen, etc. It should do a memory check, etc. It will probably briefly post on the screen what key you need to hit to enter setup. It's probably an F key, but you have to be quick, possibly tapping it a few times. It might take a few tries to get there.

If it's posting to quickly for you to see, try unplugging the keyboard, and resetting. If you use a USB keyboard this won't work. You can unplug the HDD. It will give you a "disk not found" error, and will tell you how to get into the bios to try and fix it.

If all else fails, you can always order another video card, but if it's just for a simple game, there's no reason to spend more money.

Good luck!

 

[Tail_Gunner]

Re: Question about home computer Video Memory?

Nothing is impossible, but reallocating memory for a video card is not going to happen. Your onboard video chip is maxed out. Maybe I-386 can explain the system resource's a OS uses....If it could be done it would probably make the rest of the comp unstable.