To: Everyone Who Has Memory Problems From: Sam Kochefski Date: Feb. 28, 1993 _____________________________________________________________________________ While reading the messages on the MicroProse BBS I constantly come across messages from people who for one reason or another cannot configure there systems memory. This file has been made so people can fine tune there autoexec.bat, and config.sys files to make the most use of system memory. All information will be given in easy to understand format, also with copies of sample config.sys, and autoexec.bat files with the amount of memory you will have free with that set of files. The following is a copy of my autoexec.bat, and config.sys files. After much work I have found that this set of files gives me the most memory free, and I can still have a mouse driver, and SMARTdrive running, and this is without using any third party memory managers. My system is a Packard Bell 386/20 with 4 MB RAM, using MS-DOS 5.0. The following files are the same ones I use to play F15 III, and it runs good on my 386/20, even though MicroProse recommends a 386/33 or 486/25 for F15 III. Before you do anything to your files make a copy of them to a disk, and make sure you have a boot disk. To edit a file, at the C: prompt type EDIT CONFIG.SYS or EDIT AUTOEXEC.BAT. This will bring up the DOS Editor and the file you called for. Make sure your at the blank C: prompt, not i.e. C:\MPS\F15 or your file will not come up. CONFIG.SYS ------------------ FILES=30 DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\HIMEM.SYS DOS=HIGH,UMB DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE 1072 RAM BUFFERS=10 AUTOEXEC.BAT ------------------ SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 T3 (for my sound blaster) SET SOUND=C:\SB (for my sound blaster) C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE @ECHO OFF SET TEMP=C:\TEMPORAR (my temp directory most people use DOS if you PROMPT $P$G don't know what your doing don't change it) PATH C:\WINDOWS;C:\DOS LOADHIGH C:\MOUSE\MOUSE When I run the MEM command at the DOS prompt I get the following. 655360 bytes total conventional memory 655360 bytes available to MS-DOS 632832 largest executable program size 1490944 bytes total EMS memory (EMS is expanded memory) 1097728 bytes free EMS memory 3538944 bytes total contiguous extended memory 0 bytes available contiguous extended memory 1114112 bytes available XMS memory (XMS is extended memory) MS-DOS resident in High Memory Area Use the MEM command to check how much memory you are freeing up, you can use the MEM/C|MORE command for even more detailed info on memory useage. You will notice that for the HIMEM.SYS, and EMM386.EXE I use the ones from Windows, and not DOS that is because the ones that come with Windows 3.1 are smaller, and more efficent you can load more things into upper memory i.e. mouse driver, SMARTdrive etc. than the ones that are in MS-DOS 5.0. If I use the ones with DOS 5.0 when I use the MEM command it says my largest executable program size is 602000 bytes compared to 632832 bytes with the ones in Windows 3.1. As for people who have in there config.sys file the following commands SETVER, and ANSI.SYS I do not use them, and do not have a problem with not having them, but if you use them I recommend that you use the DEVICEHIGH command in your config.sys file. DEVICEHIGH=C:\DOS\ANSI.SYS This will load this into upper memory. Please note that you should not use the DEVICHIGH command with HIMEM.SYS or EMM386 it will not crash your system, nor will it work. As for the STACKS line in some peoples config.sys files I do not use this either, and have no problems. Here is a detailed explanation of the config.sys line, DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE 1072 RAM The 1072 RAM makes 1072k of extended memory simulate expanded memory Some programs require this, F15 III for one needs at least 752k of expanded memory. If you do not wish to have expanded memory, say if you were running Windows 3.1, make the line look like this. DEVICE=C:\WINDOWS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS The NOEMS means that no expanded memory will be simulated. If at any time you wish to free up some memory by shutting off your SMARTdrive, or mouse driver, use the REM command in your config.sys or autoexec.bat file. Here is a example. REM C:\WINDOWS\SMARTDRV.EXE REM LOADHIGH C:\MOUSE\MOUSE REM makes the computer disregard a line. For any changes you have made to take effect the system must be rebooted. I hope this will help some people get the most from there computers. If you have any questions, comments, or suggestions please leave a message on the MicroProse BBS for me, I log on about once a week. If this has helped you please let me know. Sincerely, Sam Kochefski 8304 Ohio River Blvd. Pittsburgh, PA 15202