Shared RAM

[Erik Hemdal]

>
>
>> Mark Panen wrote:
>>> 
>>    
>>
>>>> >Hi
>>>> >
>>>> >How does this shared RAM story work. My laptop specs state that i have
>>>> >512 MB RAM but free only shows about 448, ok so i know 64 is going to
>>>> >the vga card.
>>>> >
>>>> >What my question is, have i got 512 installed or do i have 448
>>>> >installed and a 64 MB vga card, maybe i should answer my own quesion
>>>> >as i don't think you get 448 MB RAM.
>>>> >
>>>> >I just don't understand why free shows up 448  and not 512 ? Is the
>>>> >vga chip taking the RAM away on boot ?
>>>> >  
>>>> >
>>>      
>>>
>>. . . . good stuff from Pedro removed.
>>

>>
>>> If you want , usually you can change this config on the BIOS from 32 MB 
>>> up to 128MB (I think.. It's been awhile
>>> since I last used a computer with onboard video)
>>> 
>>> --
>>> Pedro Macedo
>>
>>    
>>
Pedro is correct, but it depends on your system.  I have a Dell laptop 
which handles video memory through the Windows driver, and there is no 
option to adjust shared RAM in the BIOS.  It means that I have control 
over the resolution and color depth in Windows that I don't have in 
Fedora.  So whether this works depends on the manufacturer.  Don't be 
surprised if you do not have a BIOS setting for this.

I have read on the Fedora list of BIOS patches that correct this, but I 
have not tried them.  Erik