Microsoft KB Archive/80746

= Dell NX-20 Requires HIMEM.SYS /M: 1 =

Article ID: 80746

Article Last Modified on 5/12/2003

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APPLIES TO


 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 5.0a
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.0 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.2 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.21 Standard Edition
 * Microsoft MS-DOS 6.22 Standard Edition

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This article was previously published under Q80746



SYMPTOMS
Your Dell NX20 Notebook computer displays the following error message:

Smartdrive error in extended memory allocation.



CAUSE
Dell has confirmed that HIMEM.SYS may default to A20 handler number 3 for the Phoenix Cascade BIOS on the Dell NX20. This handler is incorrect, and results in the error above.

The proper A20 handler for this machine is 1, for IBM PC/AT class machines.

When A20 handler number 3 is installed, SMARTDRV.SYS may not load when EMM386.EXE and/or DOS=HIGH is also in the CONFIG.SYS file.



WORKAROUND
Use the following syntax in your CONFIG.SYS file to install the device driver HIMEM.SYS and to set the correct handler number:

device=[drive:][path]himem.sys /m:1

(where drive and path specify the location of HIMEM.SYS).

