BlueMAX Install May Hang System with Windows 3.1 (81645)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 3.1
  • Microsoft Windows 3.11
This article was previously published under Q81645

SYMPTOMS

After you install BlueMAX, your system may stop responding (hang) or you may experience data corruption. The following error message may be displayed:
Divide overflow
Memory allocation error
Cannot load COMMAND, system halted

CAUSE

These problems are caused by changes to the CONFIG.SYS file made by the BlueMAX installation program. BlueMAX does not detect the presence of SMARTDRV.EXE, and installs ts own disk cache called Qcache. Then, the BlueMAX installation attempts to load the double buffering option of SMARTDRV.EXE high if a device line for device portion of SMARTDRV.EXE exists in the CONFIG.SYS file.

MORE INFORMATION

There are two basic problems caused by the BlueMAX installation program.

  • Using more than one disk cache can cause data corruption and system hangs. Microsoft recommends that SMARTDRV.EXE version 4.0 be used with Microsoft Windows.
  • In addition to installing its own disk cache, BlueMAX attempts to load the double buffering portion of SMARTDRV.EXE high if a device line for SMARTDRV.EXE exists in the CONFIG.SYS file. The following is an example of the double buffering driver being loaded low, into conventional memory: 
    DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE /DOUBLE_BUFFER
The device portion of SMARTDRV.EXE loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file allows SMARTDRV.EXE to function correctly with basic input/output systems (BIOS) older than three years. SMARTDRV.EXE displays an error message if it is loaded high and the /DOUBLE_BUFFER switch is used. The BlueMAX load high driver cannot correctly handle SMARTDRV.EXE's error message and may display the error message noted above.

NOTE: This message can also be caused by too little hard disk space. This can occur when exiting Windows or an application, such as Microsoft Excel. If you are using a permanent swap file, you need to have a minimum of 4 MB of available disk space; if you are using a temporary swap file, you need to have a minimum of 9 MB of available disk space. Also, be sure that you have a valid TEMP directory.

The BlueMAX product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/14/2003
Keywords:KB81645
©2003 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.