Q103520: MS-DOS 6.2 Defrag Uses XMS Memory When Available

Article: Q103520
Product(s): Microsoft Disk Operating System
Version(s): MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 19-NOV-1999

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

- Microsoft MS-DOS operating system versions 6.0, 6.2, 6.21, 6.22 
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY
=======

Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Defragmenter (Defrag) relies exclusively on conventional
memory to hold all drive file allocation table (FAT) data and the disk directory
structure.

Both MS-DOS 6.0, 6.2, and 6.21 Defrag use a 12,000-byte upper memory block (UMB)
for data storage if it is available. MS-DOS 6.2 Defrag uses up to 384 kilobytes
(K) of extended (XMS) memory, when available, to hold the FAT data for the
drive. If you receive "out of memory" errors with MS-DOS 6.2 Defrag, increase
conventional memory and/or XMS memory up to 384K.

NOTE: If /SKIPHIGH is specified, the 12,000-byte UMB and the 384K free XMS memory
are not used.

If you have 384K of XMS memory and Defrag still does not run, free more
conventional memory. If you cannot free more conventional memory by using a
memory manager (such as EMM386.EXE) or by removing optional device drivers, you
must reduce the number of files and directories on your drive to allow Defrag to
run. This requires transferring, orbacking up and removing, files from your disk
drive.

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


Additional query words: 6.22 6.20

======================================================================
Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbMSDOSSearch kbMSDOS621 kbMSDOS622 kbMSDOS620 kbMSDOS600
Version           : MS-DOS:6.0,6.2,6.21,6.22

=============================================================================

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 1986-2002.