Above DISC Compatibility with DOS=HIGH or HIMEM.SYS (76182)


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 Q76182

SUMMARY

Above DISC uses a driver called ABOVE.EXE to emulate expanded memory in extended memory or, in some cases, on a hard disk. If ABOVE.EXE is used with HIMEM.SYS and with DOS=HIGH, or in some cases with just HIMEM.SYS, the computer may stop responding (hang) on startup, beep uncontrollably, or continually reboot. ABOVE.EXE may also cause problems with caching programs (for example, SMARTDRV.SYS) and memory managers (for example, QEMM).

MORE INFORMATION

ABOVE.EXE uses the high memory area (HMA), which is located between 1024K and 1088K in extended memory. HIMEM.SYS also uses the HMA. On some computers, there is a conflict between HIMEM.SYS and ABOVE.EXE, especially when MS-DOS is loaded high. This is because HIMEM.SYS loads MS-DOS into the HMA. Even when MS-DOS is not loaded high, HIMEM.SYS may not work with ABOVE.EXE.

According to Above Software Technical Support, the following steps may allow you to work around this problem:
  1. Run the install program for Above DISC from inside the ABOVE subdirectory.
  2. Set hardware to normal IO 286/386.
  3. Under Change Feature, make sure EMS 4.0 is selected with a check mark.
NOTE: This procedure does not work on all computers; some still cannot work with the DOS=HIGH setting.

According to Above Software, version 4.1b of Above DISC is fully compatible with MS-DOS 5.0. However, version 4.1c is required for MS-DOS 6.0.

The products included here are manufactured by vendors independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding these products' performance or reliability.

For more information, contact Above Software.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:5/12/2003
Keywords:KB76182
©2002 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.