HIMEM error in Win 98

Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2 MB HHD. She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be incomplete - but I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music. Then a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the computer and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and again says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95. Then this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address 016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to shut off the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product key, Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this something I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often and am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over the phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a shop with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2 MB HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be incomplete - but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music. Then a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the computer and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95. Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to shut off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this something I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often and am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before getting the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2 MB HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music. Then a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95. Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to shut off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this something I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

No. If the memory truly is faulty or failing you will probably not be able
to successfully install Windows, and even if you could it might be corrupt
or damaged in subtle ways. Remember that as Windows is installed the
operating system files are extracted from the setup (CAB) files using ...
yep, you guessed it ... your system memory.

And it's possible that Windows itself is fine on your hard drive, just while
it's loading the memory problem is causing corruption of the files during
loading.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before getting the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my
Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2 MB
HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music. Then a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95.
Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to shut
off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this something
I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I
think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

Thanks so much Richard!

So I guess I'm off in search of the correct memory for this computer to give
that a try first!

Thanks again!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
No. If the memory truly is faulty or failing you will probably not be
able
to successfully install Windows, and even if you could it might be corrupt
or damaged in subtle ways. Remember that as Windows is installed the
operating system files are extracted from the setup (CAB) files using ...
yep, you guessed it ... your system memory.

And it's possible that Windows itself is fine on your hard drive, just
while
it's loading the memory problem is causing corruption of the files during
loading.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before getting the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that
your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a
shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good
memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my
Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2 MB
HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be
incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music. Then
a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the
computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and
again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95.
Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to shut
off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD
and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be
helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this
something
I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I
think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often
and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over
the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

You're welcome, and good luck.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks so much Richard!

So I guess I'm off in search of the correct memory for this computer to
give
that a try first!

Thanks again!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
No. If the memory truly is faulty or failing you will probably not be
able
to successfully install Windows, and even if you could it might be
corrupt
or damaged in subtle ways. Remember that as Windows is installed the
operating system files are extracted from the setup (CAB) files using
....
yep, you guessed it ... your system memory.

And it's possible that Windows itself is fine on your hard drive, just
while
it's loading the memory problem is causing corruption of the files
during
loading.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before getting
the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that
your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a
shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good
memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on my
Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2
MB
HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be
incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so
I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music.
Then
a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the
computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and
again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version 3.95.
Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't
load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to
shut
off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the HHD
and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product
key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be
helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this
something
I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I
think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very often
and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help over
the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a
solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

Hi again Richard,

I just wanted to let you know that I replaced the memory in this computer
and it is working just great! Thanks so much for your advice and
information! Windows wasn't the least bit damaged and I didn't need to
reboot with a floppy or anything - just turned on like always and worked
away - very happy with its new 128MB RAM! It was struggling on 32MB before.

Thanks!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
You're welcome, and good luck.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks so much Richard!

So I guess I'm off in search of the correct memory for this computer to
give
that a try first!

Thanks again!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
No. If the memory truly is faulty or failing you will probably not be
able
to successfully install Windows, and even if you could it might be
corrupt
or damaged in subtle ways. Remember that as Windows is installed the
operating system files are extracted from the setup (CAB) files using
...
yep, you guessed it ... your system memory.

And it's possible that Windows itself is fine on your hard drive, just
while
it's loading the memory problem is causing corruption of the files
during
loading.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before getting
the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely that
your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at a
shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good
memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on
my
Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a 2
MB
HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be
incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old, so
I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with music.
Then
a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the
computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process and
again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version
3.95.
Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it won't
load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to
shut
off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the
HHD
and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk, product
key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be
helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this
something
I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge, I
think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very
often
and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help
over
the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a
solution.

Thanks so much!

TN

I'm glad I was able to help you figure it out - and even gladder that
everything was still intact.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hi again Richard,

I just wanted to let you know that I replaced the memory in this computer
and it is working just great! Thanks so much for your advice and
information! Windows wasn't the least bit damaged and I didn't need to
reboot with a floppy or anything - just turned on like always and worked
away - very happy with its new 128MB RAM! It was struggling on 32MB
before.

Thanks!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
You're welcome, and good luck.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks so much Richard!

So I guess I'm off in search of the correct memory for this computer
to
give
that a try first!

Thanks again!

TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
No. If the memory truly is faulty or failing you will probably not
be
able
to successfully install Windows, and even if you could it might be
corrupt
or damaged in subtle ways. Remember that as Windows is installed
the
operating system files are extracted from the setup (CAB) files
using
...
yep, you guessed it ... your system memory.

And it's possible that Windows itself is fine on your hard drive,
just
while
it's loading the memory problem is causing corruption of the files
during
loading.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Thanks Richard,

Should I go ahead and try to reinstall Windows first before
getting
the
memory checked, do you think?

Thanks!
TN

"Richard G. Harper" wrote in message
...
The unreliable memory error message is the clue - it's likely
that
your
memory modules (RAM) are faulty or failing. Have them tested at
a
shop
with
a hardware module tester or test by substituting with known-good
memory
modules.

--
Richard G. Harper [MVP Win9x]
* PLEASE post all messages and replies in the newsgroups
* for the benefit of all. Private mail is usually not replied
to.
* HELP us help YOU ... http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"TNorth" wrote in message
...
Hello,

I am looking for some help for a problem that has developed on
my
Mom's
computer. It is a Compaq Presario 5300 with 32 mb of RAM and a
2
MB
HHD.
She
is running Win98SE. I know some of my information may be
incomplete -
but
I
am dealing with this over the phone and with an 80 year old,
so
I'd
appreciate any help or advice.

Here is the sequence:

The computer will boot to the Win 98 startup screen with
music.
Then
a
message comes up that says:

Windows did not finish loading. Choose Safe Mode to start the
computer
and
gives the choice to enter Safe Mode.

When she does choose it, the computer goes through a process
and
again
says:

Windows did not finish loading. HIMEM is testing XMS version
3.95.
Then
this
error:

Error: HIMEM.SYS has detected unreliable XMS memory at address
016C604CXMS.
Driver not installed. HIMEM.SYS is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Then to continue press enter, which she does and again it
won't
load
Windows, but says:

USER.EXE is missing. Reinstall Windows.

Windows never starts and eventually it just says it is safe to
shut
off
the
computer and that is it.

So, a few questions.

1. Any light that could be shed on this would be great.
2. Can I reinstall Win 98SE over itself rather that wiping the
HHD
and
starting clean?
3. What resources do I need - boot disk, Win 98SE disk,
product
key,
Compaq
restore disk?
4. Can anyone point me to any Microsoft KB info that would be
helpful?
5. Should this computer just go to a repair shop or is this
something
I
might be able to deal with? I have average computer knowledge,
I
think.

I really appreciate the help. I don't use that computer very
often
and
am
not too familiar with it - and have been trying to give help
over
the
phone.
That seems to have been unsuccessful, so I'm looking for a
solution.

Thanks so much!

TN