Problem Loading Win98

[Pantion]

Are you loading himem.sys in you config.sys file? If you do remove it, you don't need it windows loads all the necessary files automatically and specially that one.

[psyklone]

here ya go ...

"\* Security :Public
=============================================
---------------------------------------------
The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2, 6.21, 6.22
- Microsoft Windows for Workgroups version 3.11
- Microsoft Windows 95
- Microsoft Windows 98
---------------------------------------------

SYMPTOMS
========

You receive the following error message at startup after HIMEM.SYS version 3.10 tests extended (XMS) memory:

ERROR: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address XXXX:XXXXh.
XMS driver not installed.

CAUSE
=====

This error may be caused by a fault in the computer's external cache controller or by bad or mismatched memory chips on the external cache (generally 64, 128, or 256 cache SRAM). If disabling the external cache does not correct this problem, there may be a problem with the motherboard at the current processor speed, A20 handler problems, or bad or mismatched main system RAM chips.


RESOLUTION
==========

Use the following troubleshooting procedures to isolate the cause of the XMS test failure:

- Disable the external cache (also known as "secondary cache" or "CPU cache") in CMOS. For information about how to do so, refer to the documentation included with your computer or contact your hardware manufacturer.

NOTE: If disabling the external cache corrects the problem, replace the memory (SRAM) on the cache with the type and speed chips recommended by your hardware manufacturer. If this does not correct the problem, you may have a bad cache controller. Contact your hardware manufacturer for more information.

\*
\* MSONLY:
\* This seems to be the most common failure seen so far. In some cases, changing the cache RAM chips or cache controller can correct the problem. In others, it is a motherboard design problem.

- Disable Turbo in CMOS
- Disable Fast Gate A20 and Fast A20 Display in CMOS
- Try different machine switches with HIMEM.SYS (/M:2, 11, 12, and 13). For more information on this procedure, type "help HIMEM.SYS" (without the quotation marks) at the MS-DOS command prompt.
- Replace main system RAM chips with the type and speed memory modules recommended by your hardware manufacturer.

NOTE: You can disable XMS memory testing by adding /TESTMEM:OFF to the device line that loads HIMEM.SYS in your CONFIG.SYS file. For example,
DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS /TESTMEM:OFF

Disabling XMS memory testing may allow HIMEM.SYS to load, but you may experience random file corruption, system instability, or other problems until the underlying hardware problem is resolved."

there's the issue. doesn't sound very good, sad to say.
let us know how you do.

[cal]

Thanks I'll give it a try and let you no

[BBA]

I'm inclined to believe it is a hardware problem also, as Win98 usually installs flawlessly, if no conflicts in I/O occur and all the installed hardware is good.

I would also try removing all cards except for the video to simplify t/s.

BBA

[cal]

I am have great difficulty in loading win98 on a new system I get as far as laoding the files, then during one of the few times you restart your puter as I boot and get to the stage where it loads xms driver it says,

Windows xms driver version 3.95 Extended memory Specification (xms) Version 3.0.

It then stops and comes up with this error message saying,

Himem.sys has detected unreliable xms memory at address 0280AC80 xms driver not installed.

It won't go any further rebooting does not work and I've re formated a least 6 times and tried reloading win98 and the same thing happens.

Anybody got any Ideas
Thanks

[cal]

I have just tried disabling level 2 cache and left only the vid card floppy and cd rom. No good. I can not find fast gate20 ect and where do I try different machine switches.

If it helps the hardware config is a BE6 M/B, P111 500, 9.1g IBM 7200 rpm hard drive a diamond stealth 64 vid card, 64mb sdram pc100. 48x cd. Is there anything there that someone can see could be causing the problem?

I did try to lower the cpu speed but the soft menu won't let me, when I reboot it just tells me that the cpu is unworkable and needs to be changed, I seem to be only able to choose 500/100

[This message has been edited by cal (edited 12-23-1999).]

[BEOR999]

Fast gate will be in the BIOS....

[cal]

Thanks for your help. I ended changing the ram and vid card and now it works no prob. It must have been a dud stick of mem, anyway my friend is very happy even if he had to fork out the extra few fun tickets. He will try to take it back after the xmas break.