XMS/HIMEM.SYS INSTALLATION PROBLEMS RE-POST
aranson
Hello!
Please help me fix a problem installing Windows 3.1 on my 640K, IBM
compatible 386 computer w/ 70 mb free space (running MS-DOS 6.0).
When I try to install from the setup disks, I get a message which reads
exactl
y as follows:
Setup could not install its XMS memory manager. Setup cannot successfully
install Microsoft Windows 3.1 without a compatible XMS memory manager. See
the CONFIG.SYS file for a DEVICE = HIMEM.SYS command line.
When this procedure failed, I did a straight copy of all of the necessary
Windows 3.1 files from my other computer (I'm sure I didn't miss any files
necessary to run Windows) and changed the Autoexec.bat file to read as
follows:
C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE
@ECHO OFF
PROMPT P$G$
PATH=C:\WINDOWS; C:\DOS; C:\; C:\WP51
SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
C:\DOS\MOUSE >NUL.
__
I also changed the CONFIG.SYS file to read as follows:
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
FILES=30
BUFFERS=20
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /DOUBLE_BUFFER
STACKS=9,256
__
When I boot the computer, I get the following messages:
HIMEM: Dos XMS Driver, Version 3.07- 2/14/92
Extended Memory Specification (XMS) Version 3.0
Installed A20 Handler number 1
Error: No available extended memory was found.
XMS Driver not installed.
SmartDrv double buffering manager installed.
C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE
SmartDrive cannot be loaded because the XMS Driver, HIMEM.SYS, is not
loaded.
Check the CONFIG.SYS file for a DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS command line.
Bad command or file name.
__
These messages confuse me because it looks like HIMEM loads, and I do have
a
DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS command in my CONFIG.SYS file. Additionally,
this
computer is more powerful than my other computer from which I copied the
Windows files.
The bottom line of all of this is that I can't run WINDOWS 3.1 in either
enhanced or standard mode. Before I trash this computer, I would really
like
to see if there's anything I can do to get 3.1 to run.
I would very much appreciate it if someone would be willing to tackle this
problem for me. I look forward to hearing back if anyone has any answers
(even the answer that I should trash the machine!)
Please send me a copy of your response by E-Mail, as it is so difficult to
find a posted response in this popular newsgroup.
Note that, in spite of what the mail header on this message may read, my
correct E-Mail address is:
Thank you!!!
Richard Aranson
Ara...@mci2000.com
Michael Clarke
Dear aranson:
Try using these in your config.sys file:
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS
DOS=HIGH,UMB
Also, instead of reloading windows, use the expand command to replace
any files cited in your autoexec.bat or config.sys files. For example
if your himem.sys file is corrupted just reloading windows won't help.
The file must be deleted and "expanded" from the original disks. (This
assumes of course, that the original file is not corrupted.
Are you using the windows himem.sys or a more recent version that comes
with DOS 6.2? Recommend using the latter.
Recommend disabling all the drivers which are unneccessary until you get
the system up and running; e.g. Smartdrive! Use the letters REM before
each line in the config. & auto. files. to do this.
Hope this helps.
Michael
mcl...@dmv.com
> Please help me fix a problem installing Windows 3.1 on my 640K, IBM
> compatible 386 computer w/ 70 mb free space (running MS-DOS 6.0).
> When I try to install from the setup disks, I get a message which reads
> exactly as follows:
>
> Setup could not install its XMS memory manager. Setup cannot
successfully install Microsoft Windows 3.1 without a compatible XMS
memory manager. See the CONFIG.SYS file for a DEVICE =HimEM.SYS command
line.
> When this procedure failed, I did a straight copy of all of the necessary Windows 3.1 files from my other computer (I'm sure I didn't miss any files necessary to run Windows) and changed the Autoexec.bat file to read as follows:
> C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE
> @ECHO OFF
> PROMPT P$G$
> PATH=C:\WINDOWS; C:\DOS; C:\; C:\WP51
> SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
> C:\DOS\MOUSE >NUL.
> I also changed the CONFIG.SYS file to read as follows:
> DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS
> FILES=30
> BUFFERS=20
> DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /DOUBLE_BUFFER
> STACKS=9,256
_
>
> When I boot the computer, I get the following messages:
>
> HIMEM: Dos XMS Driver, Version 3.07- 2/14/92
> Extended Memory Specification (XMS) Version 3.0
>
> Installed A20 Handler number 1
>
> Error: No available extended memory was found.
> XMS Driver not installed.
>
> SmartDrv double buffering manager installed.
>
> C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE
> SmartDrive cannot be loaded because the XMS Driver, HIMEM.SYS, is not
> loaded.
> Check the CONFIG.SYS file for a DEVICE=HIMEM.SYS command line.
> Bad command or file name.
>