DOCUMENT:Q96935 19-NOV-1999 [msdos] TITLE :EMM386.EXE Dynamic Memory Allocation PRODUCT :Microsoft Disk Operating System PROD/VER:MS-DOS:6.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS:msdos ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft MS-DOS operating system version 6.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- SUMMARY ======= EMM386.EXE version 4.45, which ships with MS-DOS 6.0, dynamically allocates and releases memory that conforms to the Extended Memory Specification (XMS), the Expanded Memory Specification (EMS), or the Virtual Control Program Interface (VCPI) specification. For example, if a program releases a certain amount of EMS memory, other programs that need XMS memory can request and receive additional XMS memory from the released EMS memory. In other words, EMM386.EXE can provide extended or expanded memory as needed by adjusting the EMS memory pool. MORE INFORMATION ================ You can limit this feature by using the maximum and minimum memory parameters of EMM386.EXE. For example, if you want to give EMM386.EXE 2 megabytes of memory and keep it from dynamically allocating that memory, use the following EMM386.EXE DEVICE line: device=c:\dos\emm386.exe 2048 min=2048 ram NOTE: This feature is application dependent. If an application does not release allocated XMS or EMS memory, EMM386.EXE cannot give that memory to other applications. Additional query words: 6.00 ====================================================================== Keywords : msdos Technology : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS600 Version : MS-DOS:6.0 ============================================================================= 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.