How to Change the Memory Allocated to a Graphics Card

Motherboards with an integrated video controller (on-board video) are a popular choice for building a budget computer for office or an Internet cafe since they do not require an expensive separate video card. An on-board graphic card uses a certain memory share allocated from the system memory (RAM). The allocated video memory can normally be changed in the Basic Input/Output System (BIOS). BIOS is an integrated part of the motherboard that initiates all computer hardware and provides this information to the operating system.

Instructions

1. Click the "Start" button in Windows XP/Vista. Then choose "Turn off Computer" and click "Restart." During computer restart, the screen goes blank for 3 to 5 seconds, and then some text appears, followed by the Windows operating system booting.

2. As soon as the first text lines appear on the screen (see Step 1) press the "Pause" button on the keyboard to freeze the computer.

3. 

   Read the screen information and find out a key necessary to enter BIOS (System Setup). Usually, it is listed on the bottom of the screen. Note that for many motherboards it is a "Del" key.

4. Press that key twice to enter the BIOS setup.

5. 

   Using the arrow keys on your keyboard navigate to the "Advanced Chipset Features" menu and press "Enter."

6. 

   Using the arrow keys on your keyboard navigate to "VGA Share Memory Size" and press "Enter." Select a desired memory size (for example 128 Mb) for your on board video card and press "Enter."

7. Press "F10" key on your keyboard to save BIOS setting, and then "ESC" to exit BIOS and continue computer booting.

References

• "The BIOS Companion: The book that doesn't come with your motherboard", P. Crouncher, Dec. 17, 2004.