Can't install Windows

[MikeG]

I'm working on a friends Acer Pentium 100. Using a Windows 98 startup disk. Once Windows setup starts, it gets past the scandisk, then it stops and gives an error message that states that Himem.Sys isn't working properly, that it possibly needs reconfiguring. It will proceed no further. I tried a second startup disk to no avail. The bootup shows that 32 meg Ram is working properly. Himem.sys is on the A drive, it is in the config.sys file with a /testmem http://www.sysopt.com/forum/redface.gifff switch. Does anyone have any ideas for me? Thanks, if you do, cause I'm stumped.

Mike

[Nathan]

Is that an Acer 98 edition? If not, you might not get it to work because it probably doesn't have the drivers for all the devices on it. Sorry.

[philipg]

First try turning the off on Himem to on then try this....

Here's an odd solution I worked on a gateway that had two dimms one was bad. The bios reconized both of them but windows didn't run right all kinds of errors until I removed one of them try this remove one or the other and see if win 98 setup will keep going. If win98 setup dosen't get stuck them you have a bad ram board.

[This message has been edited by philipg (edited 06-03-99).]

[Jin Vitas]

try setup /is
or setup /im

[steves]

Philipg~DIMMs on a Pentium 100?!

This machine more than likely has 2 * 16MB SIMMs (and they need to be paired) in which case Philip's suggestion is a non-starter. However if you have 4 * 8Mb SIMMs its worth a try (take two out at a time).

Actually I seem to recall I had a similar problem when changing the motherboard/installing Win98 on a machine a couple of months ago. I had a DOS 6 boot disk with CD drivers handy so booted from that inorder to run the Win98 install from the CD. This got me going so I didn't investigate any further, but if a win98 install is all you are after this could be a way of getting going.


[This message has been edited by steves (edited 06-03-99).]

[MikeG]

Thanks for the help, people. I was able to work on the computer Sunday. I took two of the four modules out, turned Himem/test on, and the install worked. When I get back to the computer, I will try to put the other memory modules back in to see if they are bad. It must be either the two I took out or the motherboard (or a gremlin).

Thanks.

Mike

[ENVY]

Mayhap, you should look to the Old One.I heard he was feeling mischievous.

[philipg]

Mikeg if the memory you took out work then as a future note windows will not install if himem is turned off for most machines. Something about not enough memory ativated for the install.