MIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory

I have a problem with a new AMD Duron 1.3 system with 256 Mb RAM, WIndows 98SE installed.

When booting to Safe Mode, I receive the message HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address XXXX:XXXXh. XMS driver not installed.

Investigation has shown that HIMEM.SYS does not automatically performs an XMS memory check when loading standard Windows, but does when booting to Safe Mode.

I have carried out tests using MemDoc from www.simmtester.com. These tests also indicate a problem - failure on 4 of 4 quick tests.

The technician has stated that (a) he can find no problem and (b) MemDoc is unsuitable for testing this type of system because DocMem is DOS based. He says that only Windows based utilities can be used to test RAM in current systems.

Can anyone comment on this please

GeoffG
Adelaide, South Australia

 

Hi GeoffG

Well they all aren't so good, but the DOS based should be more accurate. But didn't he have the equipment specialized to test memory?

How many sticks of RAM do you have?

Did the Tech even remove reseat them, and if so did he reverse the order if more than one stick?

If two 128s then remove one and boot up and retest. If that one gives the error remove it and replace it with the other.

Now if that one has the same error, we in trouble!

But if that one is good then put the other back (which will now be in a different slot) and retest. It may now work OK or give different symptoms.

?

Mike

 

Yes it does. If it is loaded by the config.sys.

I just checked at the MS Dos prompt using MEM /C and Himem.sys, Emm386.exe are both loaded.

It reports both XMS ( extended ) and EMS ( Expanded ) Memory so they must both be loaded.

Gotta check something. Will be back.

Back

I just remarked out the config.sys

MEM /C shows Himem.sys but not EMM386.

BillyBob

 

Thanks mflynn and BillyBob for responding to my post.

I got the system back today. The technician restated that he could find no problem. However he also stated that he had removed the RAM and tested it in another system. Hence, if the problem was one of poor seating, I will never know the answer.

So, there is not too much point in continuing on this path- there is nowhere to go. Perhaps the problem will recur after reinstallation of the system, and I will have to revisit the problem.

I would still like to know more about memory (and other) testing and DOS utilities. Certainly seems strange to me that of all the systems that I have worked on, this is the first to return the HIMEM.SYS error.

BillyBob, my comment regarding "HIMEM.SYS does not automatically perform an XMS check when loading standard windows but does so when booting to Safe Mode" was certainly true in Win95 days, as witnessed by the Knowledge Base article 109845.

As the error I received only occurred when booting to Safe Mode, I assumed (possibly wrongly) that the same applied to Win98.

GeoffG