MEM May Report Extended Memory when None Exists (74497)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 5.0a
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.0
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.2
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.21
  • Microsoft MS-DOS operating system 6.22
This article was previously published under Q74497

SUMMARY

The MEM command determines the size of available extended memory by making a call to the ROM BIOS (int 15h, function 88h). This call is also made by DOS at boot time and is stored as an internal variable. On some older machines, the ROM BIOS does not support int 15h, function 88h. This can cause garbage values to be returned to MEM when attempting to determine the size of extended memory. This problem typically occurs on older 8086/8088 machines.

For more information, query on the following words:

MEM and EXTENDED and MEMORY

Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/12/2003
Keywords:KB74497
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