Changed out Inspiron 2650 Video Card

Question

So, I changed out my video card on my Inspiron 2650 from a 16 MB to a 32 MB. I bought the card from dell, part # 9T011. I flashed my BIOS and did everything with the assistance of Tech Support, but my video still only shows up as 16MB in my BIOS or anywhere else for that matter.   I called Tech support again and they said that it would never show up as 32MB because the computer itself and the operating system share the card, 16MB each.   Has anyone had a similar experience? FYI, I installed a game that required a minimum of 32MB and it did not perform as expected.   Anyone, anyone, Bueller, Bueller, Fry????

ejn63 · Answer

Since it's supposed to be 32M, I would say it's defective. The system does not share RAM with the video card on this model. Contact the seller and have the card replaced.

cstrain36 · Answer

I am having the same exact problem. I purchased the 9T011 (geforce2 go 32MB) lastweek through Dell and installed the card without issue. The system boots into Windows XP, but only 16 MB of RAM show in the Adapter properties. I updated the system BIOS to version A13 and install the most recent video drivers on Dells support page for the 2650, but the issue persists.

I spent some time in Chat with a Dell agent and they told me that the 16 MB that shows for video memory in the BIOS is really the AGP aperture and wouldn't change. I can buy that, though I am used to seeing AGP aperture in 64 MB increments. The agent determined that there are no compatible drivers for this card and suggested I return it to Dell. I tried locating reference drivers on the nVidia site, but was unsuccessful as the site stated that this Adapter was Proprietary Dell.

I was wondering if anyone has had success with performing this upgrade on an Inspiron 2650.

Message Edited by cstrain36 on 12-24-2007 12:44 AM

Message Edited by cstrain36 on 12-24-2007 12:45 AM

Pfeeny · Answer

Same thing.  My son bought me some upgrades for my 2650 including the 9T011 32 MB card.  Bios and other diagnostics report 16 MB.   Has Dell ever responded to this issue??  Is there a problem upgrading this card?

alkemyst · Answer

Push Dell to replace these until you get one that works.  We needed a third card until it worked.  Make sure you delete the old card from Device Manager first.

Pfeeny · Answer

As my son (Alkemyst) says the 3rd card showed the proper MB reading, BUT, it died after 4 days.   Dell sent me another replacement and it only read 16 MB, so, theye are sending me another one.

tigerwolf7 · Answer

Have you guys double checked how much RAM the card has from within Windows?  Maybe the BIOS really does report the wrong amount.

tigerwolf7 · Answer

I don't know...normally the BIOS dosen't show video RAM at all, so I'd still take a look at what the video drivers can 'see'.

alkemyst · Answer

That has nothing to do with it.  The BIOS IMHO should be the most accurate regardless.  When we got a good card, both the BIOS and Windows showed 32MB.

alkemyst · Answer

The 2650's BIOS normally shows video ram

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