different pcmakers..different config.sys

Here's what a default config.sys would look like:

http://www.windowstrouble.com/config.shtml

If you're not using DOS programs, I wouldn't worry about "abnormal differences" as long as the PC runs ok. I suspect any major difference would be due to different devices installed, e.g., brand of cd-rom drive.

If you're not running any DOS program, you can delete CONFIG.SYS and AUTOEXEC.BAT altogether. Windows 98 will love you for deleting it.

They're there for MS-DOS compatibility for 16-bit apps. No need for these stuff in Windows 98.

Enjoy!

Theoretically you don't need either a CONFIG.SYS nor an AUTOEXEC.BAT using Win9x, Windows manages memory itself for you. But I have found that overwriting the IO.SYS defaults can give you more available lower memory than Win9x.

As a minimum, I would recommend 3 lines in the CONFIG.SYS:

device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
DOS=high,umb

Without the himem.sys statement, everything runs in lower memory (the 1st MB of RAM) and if you don't have sufficient lower memory, programs will fight for the precious 640KB that is required to run applications, even if you have 128MB of RAM in your system.

Optional extras you can add to boost your CONFIG.SYS are to load your CD driver (in case you want to play music in DOS mode), loading files and buffers into upper memory (FILESHIGH=60 and BUFFERSHIGH=13) and some switches to the himem and emm386 statements, e.g.

DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS /HMAMIN=40 /TESTMEM:OFF
DEVICE=C:\EMM386.EXE NOEMS I=B000-B7FF

HMAMIN will ensure the

HMAMIN will ensure that the smallest program to be loaded into the high memory area (only 1 prog can be loaded there) will be a minimum 40KB and is not hogged by a small program. The I=B000-B7FF switch will free up that area of upper memory reservedfor mono VGA which almost noone uses any more, about 64K.

Btw, I would set the BUFFERSHIGH to only 13; any higher and it will be loaded into lower memory (the first 640KB of RAM) which is exactly what you DON'T want :)

clover

Config.sys:
Even is the file is empty some programs are still loaded (try step-by-step boot) including himem.sys. And in the case if you are not using any DOS programs, this file could be empty. But if your computer have some hardware (sound cards,CD-ROMs, etc) that you want to use in DOS or by programs that were written for DOS, then you need to load some drivers.

About memory usage: emm386 (or QEMM, or something like that) can help you to free conventional memory (first 640K) for DOS programs.

autoexec.bat:
Even in Windows (95/98, not NT) it is useful to have some environmental variables defined in autoexec.bat. Or my need a codepage select or keyboard switcher if you want to use international Windows. And some drivers could be loaded in autoexec.bat for your particular hardware.