Simviation Forums

I am completely stumped.

My friend bought a new 6600 gt AGP (thanks to my good advice).

He installed it and it worked fine. However, when it came to running nvidia demo's and doom 3, it would slow down to 2-3 fps. The problem is of course quite obivous, his AGP aperature is set too low. A quick google search confirned my  suspicisions with many forums reporting that low AGP aperatures means low performences in Nvidia demo's and some newer games.

I tested his card in one of my systems (about the same spec, but his comp had 1gig less memory). The card performed well.

I eventually found out that his AGP aperature size was 32 mb, far too small. Unfortuately, the mobo seems to have no way of upping the AGP aperature.

Until now, I have never seen a mobo without an AGP aperature option. Does anyone know how to change the AGP aperature size on a Asus P4S533VL? (I've never even heard of such a mobo model and according to asus's website, neither has asus)

If it is not in the mobo bios options, then maybe a jumper setting?

If it is not a jumper then you should look at flashing the bios to a newer version, but for the same mobo.

How much RAM has he got?

Sony Viao right?

It's a special board for them...apparently it has a locked BIOS from what I can tell in my researches, much of the BIOS settings (especially adjustments for overclocking) are not normally available.

I did find a forum where someone claimed to have overclocked a board like this after starting the BIOS in "Safe Mode".

Beats me...but maybe it will lead you somewhere.

http://forums.overclockersclub.com/?showtopic=34103

I've seen the aperature in bios refered to as different names, like graphics window size or some other gobbledy gook. But you prolly know that.

Hrmmm sometimes when a need to clear my CMOS (due to my overclock/tweak adventures) I forget to set aperature size so it stays at default 64 megs, and  sw no difference, I actually heard it was better if you didint have a lot of system ram? How does that work no clue, but I see no difference in performance right off the bat. But if its Sony Viao ten yes im sure it has a kncoked down BIOS and wont happen in the BIOS. Prolly need to find a Win program to do it?

Yeah, its a VAIO.

He has 1 gig of RAM to answer your questions.

Yes, I know AGP aperature's generally don't make a difference, but my friend wants to run the nalu nvidia demo and according to many posts, it will only run decently if the AGP aperature is 128 or 256.

It currently runs like crap, so I'm guessing that has to be the problem.

Maybe I can use a jumper setting to enable a hidden BIOS??

I still don't understand why this AGP setting would be hidden.

Doubt there are jumpers, I dont see why it would be hidden either but I guess its on their book of "Average Joe should not mess with book" I know it will prbably work if the board was on ASUSes web ste and they had BIOS you could flash the old shiite bios right out but it looks like SONY has tinkered with the board too.

Yeah, the boards been tinkered with.

Stupid sony support won't even help me. They kept claiming that AGP aperature is set on the video card. Then they asked if I had upgrade my video RAM (not card, RAM).

Next time I call sony, I'll record it so I can entertain myself for years with their stupidity.

Finally, I as transfered to technical support (apparently, pressing 2 for tech support doesn't do that) and the guy there immediately told me that it can't be done from the regular BIOS. He said a special mode had to be activated and that he could not tell you cause it was against sony policy.

Lesson to be learned:
DO NOT EVER BUY A SONY COMPUTER. Horrible tech support, bad conponents (I looked inside and the memory sticks (different brand and latencies) didn't even match.)

At least Dell sells decent computers.

I'm going to see if I can get to that special mode either with jumpers or by using different key commands.

Sounds to me like you need a new BIOS update, I'd be surprised if theres no later BIOS that'll address the AGP appeture issue.

That said, I've struggled to find anyBIOS files for that board on the Asus website, no doubt there somewhere!  ::)

Possibly sony's website?? doubt it though if they dont even want to tell how to get to the hidden BIOS.

Well he told you theres a "special mode" so search google, use a p2p program, there must be the info there somewhere. I used to have a VIAO, that thig was the slowest computer I have ever wned and then te screen died...

FYI: SIS=suck

Small manual how to get Asus mobo in safe mode (AKA 'select processor speed mode'): boot up, and while in POST mode (that is before the IDE device detection stuff starts) turn off the power to the PSU (switch on the back)

Or press F8 wich is alot better for your system....

I don't think f8 will work, but I'll give it a try.

As for the other option, I'll give it a try, but thats freakin crazy if it works. BTW, there's isn't a power switch on the back of the sony, So i'll just unplug it.

Well F8 is default to enter the boot menue, when the system randomly looses power it does it naturaly to "assist" you in fixing the problem. There is a way to enter safe mode even on the Viaos im sure, how do you plan to ncrease the aperature size from there though