HIMEM.SYS


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HIMEM.SYS

An extended memory manager that has been included with DOS and Windows, starting with DOS 5 and Windows 3.0. It allows programs to cooperatively allocate extended memory in 286 and higher PCs. HIMEM.SYS is an XMS driver. Starting with Windows 95 and subsequent 32-bit versions of Windows, HIMEM.SYS was automatically loaded at startup. See XMS.
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Two of the most important uses of the DEVICE command involve HIMEM.SYS and DOS itself.
Since our PCs cannot address extended memory without HIMEM.SYS, it makes sense that HIMEM.SYS would have to be loaded before we could load drivers into upper memory or into a special area of memory called the High Memory Area.
Memory management for the stand-alone and networked PC
Included with the DOS 5.0 upgrade is HIMEM.SYS, a program that provides access to extended memory and insures that no two programs can use the same memory address.
Using HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.SYS and loading MS-DOS into upper memory yielded 613 KB of usable conventional memory and 5,460 KB of extended or expanded memory as needed.
Thanks for the memory
For example, HIMEM.SYS, Microsoft's extended memory manager, cannot be loaded using DEVICEHIGH or LOADHIGH because, until it is loaded, DOS does not even know extended memory exists.
The HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE programs discussed earlier are the first essential step in activating extended and upper memory.
Memory management and local area networks
HIMEM.SYS: The MS-DOS extended-memory manager, HIMEM, automatically tests your system's memory when you start your computer.
Step-up to MS-DOS 6.2: an early look at Microsoft's latest upgrade
The install program will detect DOS 5.0 or Windows HIMEM.SYS and ask if you want HIMEM.SYS removed.
Multitasking with DESQview 386: an alternative to Windows
Most Windows users are at least somewhat familiar with HIMEM.SYS because it is an extended memory manager and most computers running Windows have some extended memory.
HIMEM.SYS is of course fully compatible with the Extended Memory Specification, or XMS, not to be confused with EMS, the Expanded Memory Specification.
DOS 5.0 does Windows
DOS memory management includes two components, HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE, that permit the use of available memory between 640K and 1MB, as well as simulated expanded memory.
MS-DOS 5.0: is it worth the upgrade?
Typically, an extended memory device driver such as HIMEM.SYS will do the trick.
Memory recalled

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