KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q77271: Using Expanded Memory on PS/2 286s Windows

Article: Q77271
Product(s): Microsoft Windows 95.x Retail Product
Version(s): WINDOWS:3.0,3.0a,3.1,3.11
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 09-NOV-1999

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Windows versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

On IBM 286-based PS/2s, the Windows Setup program removes the device driver
XMA2EMS.SYS line from the CONFIG.SYS file. Running Windows Setup and allowing
Setup to modify the CONFIG.SYS file deletes this line. To provide expanded
memory to MS-DOS applications outside of Windows, you must reinsert the
XMA2EMS.SYS line using a text editor.

NOTE: XMA2EMS.SYS is incompatible with Windows versions 3.0 and 3.1, and was
removed during Setup. The only way to use expanded memory with Windows is to
install an expanded memory board and load the provided drivers for that board
into the CONFIG.SYS file.

MORE INFORMATION
================

To reinsert the expanded memory driver, do the following:

1. Locate the file C:\CONFIG.OLD, which is an exact copy of your CONFIG.SYS file
  before Windows changed it.

2. Place into your current CONFIG.SYS a line similar to the following: (include
  the correct drive and path syntax originally used)

        DEVICE=C:\XMA2EMS.SYS

Now non-Windows applications can access expanded memory outside of Windows.

Additional query words: 3.00 3.00a 3.0 3.0a PS/2 3.1 3.10 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.