DOCUMENT:Q74048 03-DEC-1999 [msdos] TITLE :Running Excel 2.1 with Run-time Windows and MS-DOS 5.0 PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SYMPTOMS ======== The following error message may be displayed when you attempt to run Microsoft Excel version 2.1 with run-time Windows under MS-DOS 5.0. Incorrect DOS Version The problem isn't with Excel, but with the run-time version of Windows, which is not compatible with MS-DOS 5.0 HIMEM.SYS. WORKAROUND ========== To get Excel 2.1 and run-time Windows to work properly, reinstall the run- time version of Windows with the "No Extended Memory" option during Setup. At this point, Setup determines which of the following user files to load: - USERS.EXE, which is called the "skinny user," because it allows no high memory functionality -or- - USERF.EXE, which is called the "fat user," because it uses high memory functionality In this case, you will use USERS.EXE. Note that using USERS.EXE will decrease the available memory for Excel by approximately 40K because it can no longer use the high memory area (HMA). However, by loading DOS into the HMA, more space will be available in conventional memory, so this will not be a problem. If an 80386 coprocessor is present, you can free more conventional memory by loading device drivers and terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) programs into the upper memory area. Another workaround is to NOT use HIMEM.SYS. However, this will not allow for the use of any extended memory. Therefore, the first workaround is more functional for most users. Additional query words: 2.10 5.00 noupd ====================================================================== Keywords : Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS500 Version : MS-DOS:5.0 ============================================================================= 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.