Missing HIMEM.SYS file

[Guest_imported]

I have Windows 98 and now, i can't run Windows, it says the HIMEM.SYS file is missing or corrupted, can i reinstall it? (i can't log on to Windows)? i don't have a start up disk, but i have 2 Setup disk and oneDiagnosis disk, is there a way i can reinstall HIMEM.SYS? On some sites, i saw them use "extract", how do i use it? i have typed extract in the MSDOS (It comes up when i turn onteh PC and says it is unable to continue windows)


I really need my PC up and running again


By the way, i posted this using my WebTV

 

[wolluf]

Get hold of a win98 boot disk (same flavour as your installation - FE or SE) -

http://www.bootdisk.com

if you haven't one. Boot from it and copy the himem.sys file from it to C:\Windows folder. Reboot, and if that really is your problem, should now be ok.

 

[Guest_imported]

Thanks, oh, i forgot to add, my sister has a PC which works, i'll make a boot disk from there if i can, i have tried copying HIMEM.SYS to floppy disk but it copys to there, but it don't seem to be on there, thanks, i will make it from my sis's PC tomorrow

 

[wolluf]

'i have tried copying HIMEM.SYS to floppy disk but it copys to there, but it don't seem to be on there' - is this in dos (or a dos window)? You might need to change attributes of file (attrib himem.sys -r -s -h) to be able to see it in dos.

 

[ITschoolGuy]

Hi-

You may find that a missing HIMEM.SYS is not actually the problem. This could indicate other problems, as well. However, HIMEM.SYS is Windows' extended memory driver. It must be loaded before the Windows kernel is executed...otherwise there won't be sufficient memory (above 1MB) for Windows to run.

Any number of other problems can cause the HIMEM error you're describing. You may have some bad RAM or some hard disk problem. Before you go crazy trying to make a boot disk and copy files from other PCs, try this:

Enter the CMOS setup program (by pressing DEL, F2, or whatever is appropriate to your system) at boot time and configure the startup options to do a full memory test. Save these settings and restart the machine. Now watch the memory count MegaByte by MegaByte. If, at any point, the count skips all the way to the end you have a bad memory module.

If the memory tests out OK try enabling S.M.A.R.T. (System Monitoring and Reporting Technology) in your CMOS setup program. This will inform you if any hard disk problems are detected. If so, you may need to replace the drive.

Certainly, if these steps don't help you track down the trouble...then try your bootdisk idea. Just don't be disappointed if, after having made a fresh copy of HIMEM.SYS, the same problem persists. You may also have an isolated bad cluster or a virus.

In any case, good luck.

Chris

 

[gcsdk5210]

ITschoolGuy

You mentioned in the last post that this may be a virus, do you know what one it could be or where I can search by symptoms to possibly find out? I was recently given a computer with this same problem, and I can't get it to do anything. It boots to DOS but then it won't let you do any of the options, it won't recognise DOS Commands, and it won't recognize a boot disk. It just says invalid system disk, and I know its the right one. I'm at the point where I'm ready to just part out the system, and use the hard drive as a slave in another computer, but if its infected I'm not sure I should do that. Can a virus spread from one drive to the next? I'm going to try your above advice first, because I can get into the CMOS setup, but if that don't work I have two other computers that could use the parts.

 

[jmatt]

http://www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000425.htm

http://freepctech.com/articles/articles.php?ArticleId=38

Missing Himem.sys or A20 error in Windows95 or 98

 

[gcsdk5210]

Thank you, but neither of them worked. I had already read and tried them. I also tried copying the file from disk, even after I copied it and verified it was there, it still said it was missing. I ended up pulling the hard drive and putting it in my computer as a slave and when I scanned it with Mcaffee it froze up, so I reformatted it and ran scan disk and it had like 8000 bad clusters (or something like that)but it said it fixed them and the drive is all clear, so i'll put it back and install a new operating system. but thanks for the reply.

 

[jazzgirl]

If you had 8000 bad clusters it sounds like you're in for a total failure. The problem will get progressively worse if you continue to use the drive. Try backing up any important files if possible. You might also try going to the drive manufacturer's web site and download their zero writing utility and reformat the drive again. I'd still be leary though and as cheap as drives are today it would be worth it to replace it.

Jazzgirl