Microsoft KB Archive/938838

= Windows Vista displays the incorrect dedicated video memory size for certain display adapters =

Article ID: 938838

Article Last Modified on 9/28/2007

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APPLIES TO


 * Windows Vista Ultimate
 * Windows Vista Home Premium
 * Windows Vista Home Basic
 * Windows Vista Enterprise
 * Windows Vista Business
 * Windows Vista Business 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Ultimate 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Premium 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Home Basic 64-bit Edition
 * Windows Vista Enterprise 64-bit Edition

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SYMPTOMS
Windows Vista displays the incorrect dedicated video memory size for certain display adapters. The incorrect dedicated video memory size appears in the system display settings and in the Windows System Assessment tool (Winsat.exe).

This problem occurs if the dedicated video memory size is not a power of 2. For example, if a display adapter has 320 megabytes (MB) of dedicated video memory, Windows Vista shows that only 256 MB of dedicated video memory is available for the display adapter.



CAUSE
This problem occurs because Windows Vista uses an incorrect rounding algorithm to calculate video memory size.



Hotfix information
A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem. This hotfix might receive additional testing. Therefore, if you are not severely affected by this problem, we recommend that you wait for the next service pack that contains this hotfix.

To resolve this problem, submit a request to Microsoft Online Customer Services to obtain the hotfix. To submit an online request to obtain the hotfix, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://go.microsoft.com/?linkid=6294451

Note If additional issues occur or any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. To create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Prerequisites
No prerequisites are required.

Restart requirement
You do not have to restart the computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information
This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information
The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

Windows Vista, 64-bit versions


STATUS
Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the &quot;Applies to&quot; section.



Checking the video memory size of the display adapter
To check the video memory of the display adapter, follow these steps:
 * 1) Open the Personalization item in Control Panel. To do this, click Startvistastartbutton.jpg], type Personalization in the Start Search box, and then click Personalization in the Programs list.
 * 2) Click Display Settings.
 * 3) Click Advanced Settings.
 * 4) On the Adapter tab, the Dedicated Video Memory item displays the video memory size of the display adapter.

Or, you can use the Windows System Assessment tool to check the video memory of the display adapter. To do this, follow these steps:  Click Start, type cmd in the Start Search box, right-click cmd.exe in the Programs list, and then click Run as administrator. At the command prompt, type the following command, and then press ENTER:

winsat.exe /v



