Ok, I think I know part of what you're asking, but I'm not sure.

As far as the amount of RAM on your video card and the number of colors it will support, you're comparing apples and oranges. The amout of video RAM you have doesn't affect the number of colors your card will support.

As far as your "What happened?" question, I can't answer it until you go into a little more detail than that.

Just in case you're not sure, don't mind hehbris.