Hercules video card RAM less reported than on card

[Dogdaysdude]

I have a new Hercules GeForce 2 MX with 64 MB of ram. The first time I turn on my system and boot up, the video info is shown (as usual), but it shows only 16 MB on the card. If I re-boot immediately (not even going into Windows 98) it will then show 64 MB of ram. Is this normal or could the card be defective?
Thanks.

[tjaymadison]

Try this:

Instead of the immediate re-boot, let the first boot complete
Right-click a blank area on the desktop, then click Properties
Click the Settings tab, click the Advanced button, then click the Adapter tab
Check to see how much video memory is reported

Let us know if it's still 8 MB.

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[This message has been edited by tjaymadison (edited 05-21-2001).]

[Dogdaysdude]

Yes, it shows 16MB if I don't re-boot.
If I do re-boot, it then shows 64MB.

[tjaymadison]

Need more info:

Are you overclocking?
AGP version supported by motherboard? e.g., 1x, 2x 4x
--- (your motherboard manual should have this info)
AGP spec of Hercules adapter?
Any recommendations for BIOS setup changes in Hercules manual?
--- (e.g., 'Palette Snoop', etc.)


------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

[Dogdaysdude]

No overclocking. And it's a new board.
Motherboard is Intel SE440BX (in a Dell XPS-R400, so it's Dell modified) and supports only up to 2X AGP.
AGP of adapter is spec 2.0
On the Dell systems, the bios' are not very detailed and not all settings are immediately available. Even with Tweakbios not all the recommendations appear to be accessable so I haven't been able to do a lot of these.

Here's what Hercules recommends:
• PCI/VGA Palette Snoop - Disabled
• Video ROM BIOS Shadow - Disabled
• Video RAM Shadow - Disabled
• C8000 - DFFFF - All memory ranges should be Disabled
• AGP Aperture Size - Half of your total amount of main system RAM, however you should try different settings
• Video Memory Cache Size - UC
• PNP OS Installed - YES
• Assign IRQ to VGA - YES
• Resources Controlled By - AUTO

I have also sent e-mail to Hercules with the same question.

[tjaymadison]

I'm pretty sure that not being able to get at the BIOS options is at least part of the problem then.

Did you try looking on the Dell site for FAQ's or tips?

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[Dogdaysdude]

Yes, also have posted the same question in the Delltalk forums this morning. I haven't checked back on it yet.

[Dogdaysdude]

Ok, here's whats up. Someone in the Delltalk forums said the card is defective when it does that and is a common problem for the Hercules Prophet II MX with 64 MB. So I then called Hercules tech support and asked them about it. It is a common defect and they are aware of it and are trying to see if the card is actually not using all 64 MB or if it's just a reporting error. Either way, a bios fix is due out for it within a week according to them.
Also, anyone with this problem should pull the card out of their system and give Herc a call at 877-484-5536 between 8 AM to 6 PM central time and give them info that they ask for about the card and your system and you'll be placed on a list of people they'll notify when a fix is available. (I don't know what they'll ask since I need to do this tonite when I get home.)
I hope this helps some others with the same problem. http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/wink.gif

[tjaymadison]

Good follow-up !! http://www.PCGuide.com/ubb/biggrin.gif

------------------
"I am not able to rightly apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
-- Charles Babbage, mathematician, computer pioneer, analytical engine designer (1791-1871)
-- (Question: 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?')

"Just because I don't care, doesn't mean I don't understand."
-- Homer Simpson

[Dogdaysdude]

More info...I received an e-mail from Hercules yesterday (5-24). Apparently the card is using 64 MB. The problem is in what it reports. They are working on a fix and asked me for a bunch of info, which I sent back. Under those conditions I'll keep the card. I hope that's it for now.