[GiLli]

I have several questions regarding my netbook Inspiron Mini 1010.

Let's start from my first problem :-

1. The intel GMA 500 graphic properties shows that the GPU is having 253MB of memory as below :-

Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator Driver for ultra mobile Report


Report Date: 08/21/2010
Report Time[hr:mm:ss]: 07:30:51
Driver Version: 6.14.11.1018
Operating System: Microsoft Windows XP* Home Edition, Service Pack 3 (5.1.2600)
Default Language: English
DirectX* Version: 9.0c
Physical Memory: 1014 MB
Minimum Graphics Memory: 64 MB
Maximum Graphics Memory: 253 MB
Graphics Memory in Use: 16 MB
Processor: x86 Family 6 Model 28 Stepping 2
Processor Speed: 1330 MHZ
Vendor ID: 8086
Device ID: 8108
Device Revision: 07


* Accelerator Information *

Accelerator in Use: Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 500
Video BIOS: 0016
Current Graphics Mode: 1024 by 600 True Color (60 Hz)

However, the dxdiag function via run command in winxpsp3 shows as 8.0mb as below :-

---------------
Display Devices
---------------
Card name: Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 500
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) GMA 500 Graphics Controller
DAC type: Internal LVDS, External SDVO
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8108&SUBSYS_02C61028&REV_07
Display Memory: 8.0 MB
Current Mode: 1024 x 600 (32 bit) (60Hz)
Monitor: Plug and Play Monitor
Monitor Max Res: 1600,1200
Driver Name: igxprd32.dll
Driver Version: 6.14.0011.1018 (English)
DDI Version: 9 (or higher)
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 12/3/2009 06:31:26, 25600 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: Yes
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
VDD: n/a
Mini VDD: igxpmp32.sys
Mini VDD Date: 12/3/2009 06:31:06, 583360 bytes
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-C248-11CF-6270-CD22A6C2CB35}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x8108
SubSys ID: 0x02C61028
Revision ID: 0x0007
Revision ID: 0x0007
Video Accel:
Deinterlace Caps: n/a
Registry: OK
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Not Available
DDraw Test Result: Not run
D3D7 Test Result: Not run
D3D8 Test Result: Not run
D3D9 Test Result: Not run

What is the real specifications of my Intel GMA?

p/s : DirectX version : 9.0c (I am aware that GMA500 supports DirectX 10.1 but where can I can download it?)

2. Can I use Adobe Photoshop CS2 on my device?

3. I have the Dell Wireless 5730 Sprint Mobile Broadband that comes with this machine (I assume that this machine was purchased via USA dell website as I just bought it from a retail store somewhere in Egypt and I am currently at Malaysia) but then how can I activate it as the device prompts each time to activate the device via dell.com/activate . Any tweaks or suggestion?

4. Is this machine is compatible with Win 7 / Win Vista?
Below are my spec :-

Intel Atom Z520 1.33GHz/512mb Cache
RAM 1GB DDR2

7.1 Sound Devices

7.1.1.1 Description Realtek High Definition Audio
7.1.1.2 Manufacturer Realtek
7.1.1.3 PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_10EC&DEV_0269&SUBSYS_102802C6& REV_1000\4&C31BEF4&0

7.1.2.1 Description Intel(R) High Definition Audio HDMI
7.1.2.2 Manufacturer Intel(R) Corporation
7.1.2.3 PNP Device ID HDAUDIO\FUNC_01&VEN_1095&DEV_1392&SUBSYS_FFFFFFFF& REV_1000\4&C31BEF4&0

7.2 Display Adapters

7.2.1.1 Description Intel(R) Graphics Media Accelerator 500
7.2.1.2 Chipset Compatibility Intel Corporation
7.2.1.3 Video Processor Intel(R) GMA 500 Graphics Controller
7.2.1.4 Driver Version 6.14.11.1012
7.2.1.5 PnP Device ID PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_8108&SUBSYS_02C61028&REV_07\3&B1B FB68&0

7.3 Keyboard

7.3.1.1 Description Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard

7.4 Mouse/Pointing Devices

7.4.1.1 Description USB Human Interface Device
7.4.1.2 Manufacturer (Standard system devices)
7.4.2.1 Description ELAN PS/2 Port Input Device
7.4.2.2 Manufacturer ELAN

7.5 Serial Ports

Information not found

7.6 Parallel Ports

Information not found

7.7 USB Controllers

7.7.1.1 Port Intel(R) SCH Family USB Universal Host Controller - 8114
7.7.2.1 Port Intel(R) SCH Family USB Universal Host Controller - 8115
7.7.3.1 Port Intel(R) SCH Family USB Universal Host Controller - 8116
7.7.4.1 Port Intel(R) SCH Family USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 8117

5. If I am about to use ubuntu by Dell that can be found at linux.dell.com/files/ubuntu/ which version should i use?


Thanks in advance for your kind replies/suggestions/solutions.

Best Regards,
GiLli

[reflex]

1. The GMA500 doesn't have it's own memory, it uses the system's RAM. And I believe the 8MB number is the absolute minimum amount reserved for the graphics card. The rest of the graphics RAM gets grabbed by the driver. Sounds like the GMA500 driver always reserves 64MB or more, but in "safe mode" (without the normal driver) only 8MB would be grabbed by the graphics card.

2-4. I don't know about Photoshop. I don't about the Sprint card. I don't know about Windows Vista/7 drivers for the 1010 hardware, but I'm sure some people here have installed Vista/7 on the 1010.

5. I'd avoid Linux on the 1010. The GMA500 graphics driver ain't great.

Good luck with your Mini.