DOCUMENT:Q63772 25-OCT-1999 [win95x] TITLE :Northgate 286 with AMI BIOS Requires HIMEM.SYS /M:8 Switch PRODUCT :Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product PROD/VER:WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== - You have a Northgate 286 computer running Microsoft Windows, and your system stops responding (hangs or locks up) or crashes randomly. - You have a Northgate 386 computer running Microsoft Windows, and your system loads Windows once, but hangs on the second attempt to run Windows. CAUSE ===== - Northgate 286 computers equipped with the American Megatrends Incorporated (AMI) BIOS need the /M:8 HIMEM.SYS switch to use extended memory properly. - Northgate 386 computers equipped with an AMI BIOS dated 1989 need the /M:8 HIMEM.SYS switch to use extended memory properly. If you have the HIMEM.SYS file installed without this switch, you may experience the symptoms above. RESOLUTION ========== Use a text editor, such as Windows Notepad, to add the switch to the HIMEM.SYS device line in your CONFIG.SYS file as follows: DEVICE=C:\HIMEM.SYS /M:8 MORE INFORMATION ================ Windows 3.x requires the HIMEM.SYS driver to use extended memory. HIMEM.SYS must be included in your CONFIG.SYS file so that Windows can run in standard or enhanced mode on your computer. HIMEM.SYS uses the A20 handler on your machine to access extended memory. The Windows Setup program installs the HIMEM.SYS file to use A20 handler #1 on a Northgate 286 or 386 (with AMI BIOS). This computer uses A20 handler #8 to access extended memory. You must specify the "M:8" parameter in your CONFIG.SYS file for Windows to function correctly on this computer. The Northgate product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability. Additional query words: 3.00 3.0 3.0a 3.00a 3.10 3.1 3.11 ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbWin3xSearch kbZNotKeyword3 kbWin300 kbWin300a kbWin310 kbWin311 Version : WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11 ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.