Less Conventional Memory in European Versions of Windows 98 (197030)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q197030

SYMPTOMS

In the Finnish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Polish versions of Windows 98, there may be less conventional memory available to MS-DOS-based programs.

In these versions of Windows 98, the MEM /C command may show Himem.sys occupying approximately 44 kilobytes (K) of conventional memory. In the English version of Windows 98, the MEM /C command shows Himem.sys occupying approximately 1K of conventional memory.

CAUSE

This problem occurs because Io.sys uses too much memory in the high memory area (HMA), forcing Himem.sys to be relocated in conventional memory.

RESOLUTION

A supported hotfix is now available from Microsoft, but it is only intended to correct the problem that this article describes. Apply it only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

To resolve this problem, contact Microsoft Product Support Services to obtain the hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Product Support Services telephone numbers and information about support costs, visit the following Microsoft Web site:

http://support.microsoft.com/contactus/?ws=support

Note In special cases, charges that are ordinarily incurred for support calls may be canceled if a Microsoft Support Professional determines that a specific update will resolve your problem. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for the specific update in question.

This fix should have the following file attributes or later:
   Language   Date      Time      Size     File name
   ---------------------------------------------------
   Finnish    09/17/98  06:33am   222,390  Winboot.sys
   Polish     10/21/98  06:54am   222,390  Winboot.sys
   Brazport   01/19/99  01:13pm   222,390  Winboot.sys

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in the Finnish, Portuguese (Brazil), and Polish versions of Microsoft Windows 98.

This problem was corrected in Windows 98 Second Edition.

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 98 Setup renames the Winboot.sys file to Io.sys. The self- extracting executable file available from Microsoft is also renamed from Winboot.sys to Io.sys.

This issue also occurs in some non-English versions of Microsoft Windows 95. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

170456 Less Conventional Memory Available in European OSR2

For additional information about Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition hotfixes, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

206071 General Information About Windows 98 and Windows 98 Second Edition Hotfixes

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:10/19/2005
Keywords:kbDiskMemory kbprb KB197030
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