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expanded memory

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by phdj2000

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Can anyone tell me how to set up a windows 98 machine to use exoanded memory please. In the memor tab of the proprties of a shortcut to a dos program I am running it tells me that the machine isn't set up for expanded memory.

9 replies

by opatzg9

Its been a while, but in your config.sys file you will need to add some lines and locate some program files.
you 'll need
device=himem.sys
device=emm386.exe ram=2048
or
device=emm386.exe ram
Can't remember which and every old file I look atuses NOEMS which say no expanded memory.
I believe if you look under properties for the program you can specify the settings for it there as well so right click on it and look under/never mind just looked there and it says consult 3rd party documentation. But I believe one of the two above should work after a reboot.
Good luck

by opatzg9

Here's a sample config sys with the ram line and some other settings you may need. note you will need to locate the files and put the proper directories in for them.

Config.sys:
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS

DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE 5000 RAM

DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\SETVER.EXE

DOS=HIGH,UMB

REM DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE I=B000-B7FF NOEMS

FILES=40
BUFFERS=5
FCBS=70,60

STACKS=0,0
BREAK=ON
REM LASTDRIVE=Y
rem USE 384 FOR 1 MEG MACHINES
REM USE 1024 FOR 2 MEG MACHINES
REM USE 8160 FOR 8 MEG MACHINES
DEVICE=C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.SYS 384
@fin
Smartdrv.sys is a disk cache
the i=b000-b7ff (EMM386 line)excludes the black and white monitor option from memory address block to allow things to load high
NOEMS - no expanded memory
REM - remarks out the line
I beleive the 5000 before the RAM statement sets up 5 meg as expanded.
Good Luck

by opatzg9

may need the setver command to make the dos package know the version of dos is acceptable, you can then specify in th autoexec.bat
setver EXEname=5.0 if it needs version 5.0 or newer to run and iff it doesn't work without doing this.
FCBS is forfile control blocks, you probably don't need that.
Buffers should be higher if a disk cache is not used, normally 40.
FILES may need to be larger 50-100
You can rem out the stacks and the default 64 will take its place.
Break on lets you ctrl-c to break out of programs.
Last drive can screw up you cdrom so be cautious.
Note if you need your cdrom you'll need to load your drivers for that as well in the config.sys and autoexec.bat. Also your sound card may need drivers loaded and an environment variable set to work in dos.
Good luck

by ann777

You also need the last line:

device=c:\dos\himem.sys
device=c:\dos\emm386.exe RAM
dos=high,umb

by jereg

The answers are correct, however, you should know that many name brand pcs built in the last few years won't support expanded memory. If you have a Dell, Compaq, HP, Gateway, whatever, it may not work. My company runs an old database that needs expanded memory, and Dells, won't support it. I spent 2 days with tech support, no luck. Then the database vendor tells me it won't work.
The solution was to install W2K. It will support expanded memory in DOS apps, though it's slow.
Hope that helps.

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