MEM Command Reports Only 64 MB Extended Memory in MS-DOS Window (239514)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 95
  • Microsoft Windows 98
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
This article was previously published under Q239514

SYMPTOMS

When you run the MEM command in an MS-DOS session within Windows, the value displayed for Extended (XMS) memory may be under 64 megabytes (MB), even though the computer may have more than 64 MB of physical memory installed. Also, the values for Extended memory and Total memory may be displayed as question marks (?).

CAUSE

This behavior occurs because programs running in an MS-DOS session in Windows can gain access to a maximum of 64 MB of extended memory.

RESOLUTION

The actual amount of physical memory detected by Windows is displayed in the System tool in Control Panel. The amount of free memory available is displayed in the System Monitor tool.

For information about using the System Monitor tool to determine free memory availability, please click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

142770 How to View Free-Memory Statistics in Windows 95

STATUS

This behavior is by design.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/20/2004
Keywords:kbDiskMemory kbprb KB239514
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.