KnowledgeBase Archive

An Archive of Early Microsoft KnowledgeBase Articles

View on GitHub

Q78009: Troubleshooting When TSRs Are Loaded

Article: Q78009
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:2.x,3.x,4.x,5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 17-DEC-2000

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

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 2.11, 3.1, 3.2, 3.21, 3.3, 3.3a, 4.0, 4.01, 5.0 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

A terminate-and-stay-resident (TSR) program is a utility that resides in memory
while other applications are executing.

In general, TSRs work around MS-DOS (that is, shortcuts are used). TSRs also make
assumptions in the way MS-DOS acts. However, the assumptions that TSRs make with
one version of MS-DOS may not apply in other versions.

For these reasons, it is a good general troubleshooting technique to not load TSR
programs. TSRs can interfere with normal troubleshooting and testing.

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

Examples of TSRs are mouse drivers, some menu programs, Sidekick, Append, and
Mirror. Note that batch files are never TSRs. To troubleshoot TSRs, do the
following:

1. Do not load any TSRs. Remark (rem) out all TSRs in the CONFIG.SYS and
  AUTOEXEC.BAT files. For example:

  rem c:\dos\doskey

2. If the problem is resolved and MS-DOS 5.0 is being used, load all TSRs low.
  Some TSRs expand and contract. When loaded into high or upper memory, TSRs
  can cause conflicts with other devices or utilities.

3. If a TSR is causing the problem, do the following:

   - Consult this knowledge base for information on the software.

   - Contact the TSR manufacturer for help and information.



Additional query words: tshoot 3.0 3.00 3.1 3.10 3.2 3.20 3.21 3.22 3.3 3.30 3.3a 3.30a 4.0 4.00 4.0a 4.00a 4.01 4.01a 5.0 5.00

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS321 kbMSDOS400 kbMSDOS320 kbMSDOS330a kbMSDOS310 kbMSDOS500 kbMSDOS330 kbMSDOS401 kbMSDOS211
Version           : MS-DOS:2.x,3.x,4.x,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.