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XMS memory problem

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13 replies

by cwleng

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My Windows 98 can bootup normally but the problem is when I try to bootup to safe mode this message prompt up in MS-DOS
" Himem is testing extended memory...done
Windows XMS driverversion 3.95
Extended memory specification(XMS)version 3.0
copyright 1988-1995 Microsoft Corp
error:Himem.sys has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 00C90F94 XMS driver not installed
To continue starting your computer,press enter."
After I press enter it display the next message
"Himem.sys missing"
make sure that the file is in your Windows directory Windows has stopped press Ctrl+Alt+Del to restart computer"
Please advice from where to start troubleshoot on the problem I am facing
Thank you.

13 replies

by parbo

make sure the memory in your system is OK. check this technet article Q192397.

Is the file in the path where it looks for it and if so try to extract a new copy of it to that folder.
If the error still comes up try adding the switch /nomemtest (or something like that, it has been a long time so i cant remeber the exact switch)

by churger

Try to re-install windows. It will automatically put the himem.sys into the needed directory and will recreate the path info. Then everything should work perfectly.

by jason

you should first check to see that you do not have a bad RAM stick. Find and download a memory checking program from the internet. If you cannot get access to a program, take it to a computer shop near you. If the RAM checks OK the look to reinstalling windows over you current ver. I you do reinstall the best way is go to the windows\options\cabs folder and run setup. Make sure you have all your device drivers around or can get access to them. also when you get finished you may have to go into the registry and search for the 'autologon' key and delete it if you cannot save passwords anymore.
Please only do the above if you are capable and confident. Wrong moves in the registry and lack up drivers can be fatal to your windows install.

Hope this helps

by tmway

I have ran into this problem before. First you are probably running Norton Antivirus. If you are look at your autoexec.bat file and see if this line exists @C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NAVDX.EXE /Startup. If it does then put this line before it Set DOS16M=2 and save your changes then restart your computer and I believe your troubles are over.

by deric_ykb1

I also got facing for this type problem, most of this problem is the RAM problem, u can trying to changing for the no problem RAM was using from the other PC if u got, make sure to check is really hardware problem or software problem.

by grump

You need to boot you system with the 2nd option in the boot menu which allows you to boot with step by step confirmation. Check to see if himem.sys is loading. If Himem.sys decets a problem with you installed RAM it will not load and display the type of error message as you outlined. Windows will not run without Himem.sys being loaded. You could also try reseating you memory modules " we call it wiping the contacts". If you have two modules swap the location of the two modules and see if the memory address 00C90F94 is changed. If it does the one of the modules is unreliable..

Also you can rename the config.sys file to something other and ren you autoexec.bat to something different. If windows does find a config.sys file HIMEM.SYS will be loaded by default from the windows subdirectory, if himem.sys in missing from that directory windows will not load.

It's worth a try....

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