Less Conventional Memory in European Versions of Windows 98

ID: Q197030

The information in this article applies to:

SYMPTOMS

In the Finnish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Polish versions of Windows 98, there may be less conventional memory available to MS-DOS-based programs.

In these versions of Windows 98, the MEM /C command may show Himem.sys occupying approximately 44 kilobytes (K) of conventional memory. In the English version of Windows 98, the MEM /C command shows Himem.sys occupying approximately 1K of conventional memory.


CAUSE

This problem occurs because Io.sys uses too much memory in the high memory area (HMA), forcing Himem.sys to be relocated in conventional memory.


RESOLUTION

A supported fix that corrects this problem is now available from Microsoft, but it has not been fully regression tested and should be applied only to systems experiencing this specific problem. If you are not severely affected by this specific problem, Microsoft recommends that you wait for the next service pack that contains this fix.

To resolve this problem immediately, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the fix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services phone numbers and information on support costs, please go to the following address on the World Wide Web:

http://www.microsoft.com/support/supportnet/overview/overview.asp
This fix should have the following file attributes or later:

   Language   Date      Time      Size     File name
   ---------------------------------------------------
   Finnish    09/17/98  06:33am   222,390  Winboot.sys
   Polish     10/21/98  06:54am   222,390  Winboot.sys
   Brazport   01/19/99  01:13pm   222,390  Winboot.sys

NOTE: If this product was already installed on your computer when you purchased it from the Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) and you need this fix, please call the Pay Per Incident number listed on the above Web site. If you contact Microsoft to obtain this fix, and if it is determined that you only require the fix you requested, no fee will be charged. However, if you request additional technical support, and if your no-charge technical support period has expired, or if you are not eligible for standard no-charge technical support, you may be charged a non-refundable fee.

For more information about eligibility for no-charge technical support, see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q154871 Determining If You Are Eligible for No-Charge Technical Support


STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Finnish, Brazilian Portuguese, and Polish versions of Microsoft Windows 98.


MORE INFORMATION

Windows 98 Setup renames the Winboot.sys file to Io.sys. The self- extracting executable file available from Microsoft is also renamed from Winboot.sys to Io.sys.

This issue also occurs in some non-English versions of Microsoft Windows 95. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q170456 Less Conventional Memory Available in European OSR2

Additional query words: UMA 


Keywords          : diskmem win98 
Version           : WINDOWS:
Platform          : WINDOWS 
Issue type        : kbprb

Last Reviewed: July 2, 1999