Command Prompt Error Message

Whenever I open up a command prompt for any reason, this is the message I get:
"An Extended Memory Manager is already installed.
XMS Driver Not Installed."
Is there a specific reason this message? I'm not really sure if it has created any problems, but it seems like it has prevented some programs from running. Is this something that will cause problems? Is there something I can do to correct the problem?

 

Check config.sys in the root of the C: folder and see if there are any entries. This sounds like it could be the remnants of your previous OS if you upgraded on top of a previous OS.

 

I'm not really sure what you mean by checking this particular file. I did a search and found it, but now what do I do to fix the problem. BTW, I did upgrade from Windows 98 to Windows XP about a year and a half ago.

 

Right-click on the file and select Edit. Copy the contents of the file and post them here. Do this for autoexec.bat also.

 

There is no edit option when I right-click config.sys, but this is the results for autoexec.bat:
set LglDrv=27 * 26 Z 25 Y 24 X 23 W 22 V 21 U 20 T 19 S 18 R 17 Q 16 P 15
set LglDrv=%LglDrv% O 14 N 13 M 12 L 11 K 10 J 9 I 8 H 7 G 6 F 5 E 4 D 3 C
cls
call setramd.bat %LglDrv%
set temp=c:\
set tmp=c:\
path=%RAMD%:\;a:\;%CDROM%:\
copy command.com %RAMD%:\ > NUL
set comspec=%RAMD%:\command.com
copy extract.exe %RAMD%:\ > NUL
copy readme.txt %RAMD%:\ > NUL

:ERROR
IF EXIST ebd.cab GOTO EXT
echo Please insert Windows 98 Startup Disk 2
echo.
pause
GOTO ERROR

:EXT
%RAMD%:\extract /y /e /l %RAMD%: ebd.cab > NUL
echo The diagnostic tools were successfully loaded to drive %RAMD%.
echo.

IF "%config%"=="NOCD" GOTO QUIT
IF "%config%"=="HELP" GOTO HELP
LH %ramd%:\MSCDEX.EXE /D:mscd001 /L:%CDROM%
echo.
GOTO QUIT

:HELP
cls
call help.bat
echo Your computer will now restart and the startup menu will appear.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
echo.
restart.com
GOTO QUIT

:QUIT
echo To get help, type HELP and press ENTER.
echo.
rem clean up environment variables
set CDROM=
set LglDrv=

 

Do you know how to run Notepad or another editor and then open config.sys so you can post the contents?

 

Here's the contents:
[menu]
menuitem=CD, Start computer with CD-ROM support.
menuitem=NOCD, Start computer without CD-ROM support.
menuitem=HELP, View the Help file.
menudefault=CD,30
menucolor=7,0

[CD]
device=himem.sys /testmemff
device=oakcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=btdosm.sys
device=flashpt.sys
device=btcdrom.sys /D:mscd001
device=aspi2dos.sys
device=aspi8dos.sys
device=aspi4dos.sys
device=aspi8u2.sys
device=aspicd.sys /D:mscd001

[NOCD]
device=himem.sys /testmemff

[HELP]
device=himem.sys /testmemff

[COMMON]
files=10
buffers=10
dos=high,umb
stacks=9,256
devicehigh=ramdrive.sys /E 2048
lastdrive=z

 

Edit config.sys so that each line that starts off with "device=himem.sys" has "REM " in front of it. ie "REM device=himem.sys..."
Save the file and reboot your system and see if that solves your problem.

I've been trying to figure out what is going on in your autoexec.bat but without knowing the programs on your system it's best to leave it as is.

If you use any DOS programs it's possible that the change to config.sys will cause a problem in that area. If so, you'll have to undo the edits.

 

I did what you said and it didn't do anything.

 

Usually with XP you don't need anything in autoexec.bat and config.sys. If you rename these files to autoexec.bat.bak and config.sys.bak (and reboot) that should take care of your problem. As I mentioned before, this could cause problems with any DOS programs you might be running.

 

I'm having major problems with my DOS programs now. I loaded up a game and the command prompt went to a pure black screen. I closed the program and my whole screen went blank. I ended up having to restart. What can I do to fix the problem?

 

Howdy Tully...

If your DOS programs need to access the hardware directly, then XP will not let it, due to the NT kernel it is based off of...

You may get by ( I doubt it, if it needs to access the hardware directly ) with editing the Autoexec.nt and the Config.nt files for the Dos programs...

In XP DOS programs use Autoexec.nt and Config.nt to run, located in C:\Windows\System32

 

I'm not sure I really understand your post. What do I need to do to fix the problem? It seems as though you've just told me what the problem is. That won't exactly help me.

 

Hmmm...

Do these DOS programs use an install.exe or install.bat, or maybe a setup.exe ?

If so right on the install.exe or install.bat,or setup.exe - Properties - Compatibilty mode tab - and cilck on the square next to "Run this program in Compatibilty mode for" - and select either Windows 95 or Windows 98, click Apply, then install the game/program. This if it works is the easy way out...

If it doesn't, will need to know what DOS programs you are trying to run under XP, and also if they have ever ran under XP before...

Edit: added more...

 

Try this:
http://www.dosgames.com/xphints.php