Northgate 286 with AMI BIOS Requires HIMEM.SYS /M:8 Switch

• Microsoft Windows operating system versions 3.0, 3.0a, 3.1, 3.11

SYMPTOMS

• You have a Northgate 286 computer running Microsoft Windows, and your system stops responding (hangs or locks up) or crashes randomly.
• You have a Northgate 386 computer running Microsoft Windows, and your system loads Windows once, but hangs on the second attempt to run Windows.

CAUSE

• Northgate 286 computers equipped with the American Megatrends Incorporated (AMI) BIOS need the /M:8 HIMEM.SYS switch to use extended memory properly.
• Northgate 386 computers equipped with an AMI BIOS dated 1989 need the /M:8 HIMEM.SYS switch to use extended memory properly.

RESOLUTION

Use a text editor, such as Windows Notepad, to add the switch to the HIMEM.SYS device line in your CONFIG.SYS file as follows:

   DEVICE=C:\HIMEM.SYS /M:8

MORE INFORMATION

Windows 3.x requires the HIMEM.SYS driver to use extended memory. HIMEM.SYS must be included in your CONFIG.SYS file so that Windows can run in standard or enhanced mode on your computer. HIMEM.SYS uses the A20 handler on your machine to access extended memory.

The Windows Setup program installs the HIMEM.SYS file to use A20 handler #1 on a Northgate 286 or 386 (with AMI BIOS). This computer uses A20 handler #8 to access extended memory. You must specify the "M:8" parameter in your CONFIG.SYS file for Windows to function correctly on this computer.

The Northgate product included here is manufactured by a vendor independent of Microsoft; we make no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding this product's performance or reliability.