SYMPTOMS
When you attempt to load Microsoft Windows 3.0 in standard mode or 386
enhanced mode, you may receive the following error message:
Invalid HIMEM.SYS;
Install HIMEM.SYS from your Windows Setup disks
CAUSE
This error message can be caused by the following problems:
- Wrong version of HIMEM.SYS
- Corrupted HIMEM.SYS
- Trying to run Windows from an MS-DOS prompt inside Windows
RESOLUTIONS
Each of these problems and their resolutions is described in detail below.
Wrong Version of HIMEM.SYS
The CONFIG.SYS file contains the line "DEVICE=drive:\path\HIMEM.SYS."
If the HIMEM.SYS being loaded is from versions of Windows prior to
Windows 3.0 or versions of MS-DOS prior to MS-DOS 5.0, these error
messages may appear.
The versions of HIMEM.SYS that you can use with Windows 3.0 are listed
below.
- Version 2.60
Supplied with Windows 3.0 and 3.0a
File Size 11,304 bytes
To restore HIMEM.SYS, use the EXPAND.EXE utility to expand the file
HIMEM.SY$ to HIMEM.SYS in the directory that is specified in the
CONFIG.SYS file.
|
| EXPAND.EXE | Disk 2 | Disk 2 |
| HIMEM.SY$ | Disk 5 | Disk 3 |
- Version 2.77
Supplied with the MS-DOS 5.0 and 5.0a Upgrades
File Size 11,552 bytes
To restore HIMEM.SYS, use the EXPAND.EXE utility to expand the file
HIMEM.SY_ to HIMEM.SYS in the directory that is specified in the
CONFIG.SYS file.
|
| EXPAND.EXE | Disk 3 | Disk 6 |
| HIMEM.SY_ | Disk 1 | Disk 2 |
The syntax for the EXPAND utility is "EXPAND source destination". The
following is an example:
EXPAND A:HIMEM.SY_ C:\HIMEM.S
Corrupted HIMEM.SYS
If the HIMEM.SYS being loaded in the CONFIG.SYS file is the right version
but has been corrupted (or is otherwise invalid and not operating properly
with Windows 3.0), the aforementioned error messages may appear. Restore
the file from your Windows 3.0 or MS-DOS 5.0 Upgrade disks using the above
instructions.
Trying to Run Windows from an MS-DOS Prompt Inside Windows
If you attempt to run Windows after switching to MS-DOS from within
Windows by choosing the MS-DOS Prompt icon, the aforementioned error
messages may occur. Type "exit" (without the quotation marks) at the
MS-DOS prompt to return to Windows.