Highmem.sys missing

[xmrdfghap]

A friends computer was getting this message in a dos list as the system was trying to boot. It is an older machine -- A Compac Presario 233 Athlon with 48k ram, 4.+ gig hd.

I ended up deleting the partition, repartitioned (using a start up disk from another computer) and formatted, reinstalled Win98 Se from a CD....

Still getting Himem.sys missing

Any ideas? The only thing I can think of is there is a virus in the cmos somehow.....so I probably need to short the cmos battery. Anyone have a beter idea?

 

[Jeff Horton]

Goggle search revealed lots of info. One being

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000318.htm

Issue:

Himem.sys and or emm386 errors.

Cause:

This issue can be caused by any of the following:

Missing either himem.sys and or emm386.exe
Autoexec.bat and or Config.sys have conflicting data or programs causing this issue
Himem.sys or emm386.exe are corrupt
Memory in computer is bad or corrupt
If you are encountering 'himem.sys missing or corrupt' see document CH000425.
If you are experiencing a emm386 error code please refer to our EMM386 page.

 

[Ed Potrafke]

It has been my experience that this error is most common with bad memory, or incompatible memory.
Did your friend install a new memory module?
If so try removing it.
If not, it sounds like you must have at least two memory modules if it has 48MB of ram. Try removing them one at a time to isolate the bad module. New memory is very cheap go to www.pricewatch.com they have awsome prices for memory. Just make sure that it is compatible with the Motherboard.
Once you get it working, be sure to download the newest drivers and bios for the motherboard.

 

[Ed Potrafke]

Forgot to mention, check out compaq's website for specs on the motherboard. Most older motherboards have a certain way to put memory into them.IE 32MB in slot one and 16MB in slot 2 etc.
If you don't get it right, then you'll have problems.

 

[Pat Butler]

himem.sys is the old DOS memory manager that hasn't been used, I believe, since Windows 3.1. That program should be available on a DOS disk. Once it is installed, it still has to be called up from a system file, usuallly autoexe.bat or config.sys and brought up with the proper system parameters (switches). Really, really old stuff however and probably not worth too much hassle to try and even get it working...

 

[Hugo Coolsaet]

If the computer tells you the file HIMEM.SYS is missing you have to verify two things :
1. Normally the file HIMEM.SYS is in the directory C:windows and is part of Windows 98 SE
2. When you edit the file config.sys (in the rootdirectory c the following devicecommand must be present :

device = c: windowshimem.sys (+ parameters and switches - see old config.sys)
==> verify the path

When everything is OK then we have to verify the properties in the DOS-window (memory management) and that is an other problem !

Regards, hugo