MBP/Hardware Test: Too much VRAM!

[Habakuk]

The "Apple Hardware Test" (insert Install Disk #1, shut down, hold D and start up) shows me 256 MB VRAM but I paid just for 128:

Sure enough System Profiler indicates 128 MB VRAM. New MBP bought in June 07.

 

[Nermal]

Hmm, that's interesting. I'll have to try AHT on my 256 MB system and see whether it reports 512

In all honesty, I'm more amused by the "Über" tab up the top

 

[neonblue2]

I see what you mean, the purpose of the Hardware Test is not to make your computer Über.

 

[scaredpoet]

I see what you mean, the purpose of the Hardware Test is not to make your computer Über.

No one is saying that's the purpose. Nonetheless, Hardware est is showing a clear discrepancy, and I think the OP is looking for an answer to it. Did he get lucky? Is there a hardware problem? Does Apple ship all of their systems with more VRAM and just disables what wasn't paid for?

 

[iToaster]

There's a blurb about this on the Apple support site somewhere, but I'm too lazy to find it. Basically, you have 128, but the hardware test will sometimes get the number confused. Don't worry, you have less than it tells you

 

[kolax]

If you use Boot Camp Windows thinks you have more than 128MB.

It is to do with it using the actual RAM too or something? There was a few posts about it a wee while ago and I can't remember the full explanation.

Search the forums for the answer if you are interested.

 

[Habakuk]

It's a known bug. Somebody posted the link in a German-language forum:

http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=305638

Quote colored:

Apple Hardware Test:
May incorrectly report more VRAM than actually present

Issue or symptom

Apple Hardware Test (AHT) may incorrectly report that the computer has more VRAM than is actually present. For example, AHT may report 256 MB VRAM for a computer that has only 128 MB VRAM. You may use Apple System Profiler to obtain accurate VRAM configuration.

Products affected

MacBook Pro (15-inch 2.4/2.2GHz) bundled with AHT version 3A121

Solution

To verify the accurate VRAM configuration:

Restart the computer from the hard disk.
Open Apple System Profiler from /Applications/Utilities/.
In Hardware and Graphics/Displays, see VRAM (Total) for the correct configuration.

Well. Nothing with the free additional 128 MB of VideoRAM...

 

[Cybergypsy]

128 it is......

 

[el diego]

The "Apple Hardware Test" (insert Install Disk #1, shut down, hold D and start up) shows me 256 MB VRAM but I paid just for 128:

Sure enough System Profiler indicates 128 MB VRAM. New MBP bought in June 07.

As an interesting side note the hardware tests for a MacBook will also show 256 MB VRAM (which is the maximum possible amount of shared ram that the GMA950 will use). Although the System Profiler will show 64 MB which is probably some kind of reserved minimum amount.