WAY OT: System Question

I know that this is way OT, but a lot of you guys here really know your stuff about PC's and I hope that you don't mind lending a hand with this..... When right-clicking on My Computer and then Properties and Performance, I get messages that my Drive A: (and B:) is using MS-DOS compatibility mode. The "help" system said that I should check Config.sys for any drivers not recognized by the system. Well, my Config.sys file only has these lines: Device = c:\windows\himem.sys Device = c:\windows\emm386.exe Files=30 Buffers=30 I noticed that the date of the config.sys file is 1/29/02. That's the day (I think) that I installed an old DOS program (which I could live without, if need be). My questions are: 1. Should I even worry about this? Will it have a noticable detrimental effect on my system's performance? (Athlon XP 1700+) If so, how do I correct it? 2. Didn't the need for a config.sys file go out the window, with the demise of DOS? Or are some of the lines contained in it needed for programs other than this DOS-based program? 3. Do most of you guys even have a config.sys file on your system anymore? I'm running Windows 98SE, if that matters... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bert

I know that this is way OT, but a lot of you guys here really know your stuff about PC's and I hope that you don't mind lending a hand with this..... When right-clicking on My Computer and then Properties and Performance, I get messages that my Drive A: (and B:) is using MS-DOS compatibility mode. The "help" system said that I should check Config.sys for any drivers not recognized by the system. Well, my Config.sys file only has these lines: Device = c:\windows\himem.sys Device = c:\windows\emm386.exe Files=30 Buffers=30 I noticed that the date of the config.sys file is 1/29/02. That's the day (I think) that I installed an old DOS program (which I could live without, if need be). My questions are: 1. Should I even worry about this? Will it have a noticable detrimental effect on my system's performance? (Athlon XP 1700+) If so, how do I correct it? 2. Didn't the need for a config.sys file go out the window, with the demise of DOS? Or are some of the lines contained in it needed for programs other than this DOS-based program? 3. Do most of you guys even have a config.sys file on your system anymore? I'm running Windows 98SE, if that matters... Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Bert

Your system is being seriously degraded by running in the dos compatibility mode. Your harddrives are essentially running much slower. I had this problem once long ago...you basically have to find the problem and correct it... My first guess would be to check your device manager and see if any of your hardware had problems(indicated by a yellow ! or a red X) If you do, fix those first, getting new drivers and re-installing. After that it gets trickier...and I won't be much help. Hopefully others can chip in...Good luck... btw...how long has it been since you last installed windows? You may find a big boost by erasing windows and re-installing. But if you not familiar with the process, then keep asking til you are comfortable with what is needed. dave henrie "BRH @attbroadband.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> I know that this is way OT, but a lot of you guys here really know your > stuff about PC's and I hope that you don't mind lending a hand with > this..... > > When right-clicking on My Computer and then Properties and Performance, > I get messages that my Drive A: (and B:) is using MS-DOS compatibility > mode. The "help" system said that I should check Config.sys for any > drivers not recognized by the system. > > Well, my Config.sys file only has these lines: > > Device = c:\windows\himem.sys > Device = c:\windows\emm386.exe > Files=30 > Buffers=30 > > I noticed that the date of the config.sys file is 1/29/02. That's the > day (I think) that I installed an old DOS program (which I could live > without, if need be). > > My questions are: > 1. Should I even worry about this? Will it have a noticable > detrimental effect on my system's performance? (Athlon XP 1700+) If so, > how do I correct it? > 2. Didn't the need for a config.sys file go out the window, with the > demise of DOS? Or are some of the lines contained in it needed for > programs other than this DOS-based program? > 3. Do most of you guys even have a config.sys file on your system > anymore? > > I'm running Windows 98SE, if that matters... > > Any help would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > Bert >

Beside what Dave said, DOS didn't die with Win98SE, which is why there still is the DOS Prompt listed on the Programs menu. Are you having any problems accessing floppy disks on your floppy drive? My config.sys is empty on my laptop, but does have entries for the DOS use of the sound card on one of the desktops. What it is loading, unless the system automatically bypasses it, is nothing that hurts anything, Bert. I suggest you go to Start/Help and look up System File Checker, specifically the choice of "Using System File Checker." This will allow your system to verify the integrity of your operating system files to make sure nothing is corrupt. I don't remember specifics of why the mode changed on the floppy drive, but am looking into it. -- Chris H. "BRH @attbroadband.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]... > I know that this is way OT, but a lot of you guys here really know your > stuff about PC's and I hope that you don't mind lending a hand with > this..... > > When right-clicking on My Computer and then Properties and Performance, > I get messages that my Drive A: (and B:) is using MS-DOS compatibility > mode. The "help" system said that I should check Config.sys for any > drivers not recognized by the system. > > Well, my Config.sys file only has these lines: > > Device = c:\windows\himem.sys > Device = c:\windows\emm386.exe > Files=30 > Buffers=30 > > I noticed that the date of the config.sys file is 1/29/02. That's the > day (I think) that I installed an old DOS program (which I could live > without, if need be). > > My questions are: > 1. Should I even worry about this? Will it have a noticable > detrimental effect on my system's performance? (Athlon XP 1700+) If so, > how do I correct it? > 2. Didn't the need for a config.sys file go out the window, with the > demise of DOS? Or are some of the lines contained in it needed for > programs other than this DOS-based program? > 3. Do most of you guys even have a config.sys file on your system > anymore? > > I'm running Windows 98SE, if that matters... > > Any help would be appreciated. > > Thanks, > Bert > >

Update or reinstall the drivers for the hard drive controller in the device manager. These should be on your motherboard CD. If it is a VIA chip set get the latest 4 in 1 drivers. You can get them from this site http://www.viaarena.com. And yes keep the Config.sys the way it is, these lines do make a difference in performance. Win 98 still relies on DOS for its base program. Dave

Thanks to all for your help with this so far. To answer some of the questions: 1. the floppy drives are still working normally. 2. In Device Manager, there is an explanation point next to the Standard Floppy Disk Controller. Clicking on Properties for the floppy drive controller, I get the following message: "This device is not working properly because the BIOS in your computer is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly (Code 9)." So, I went to the BIOS to check that the settings were correct (Drive A is a 3-1/2" drive and Drive B is a 5-1/4" drive), and they appear correct. 3. Dave, I don't think that my hard drives are affected, as the messages only refer to the floppy drives. 4. I do have a VIA chipset, Dave (dvgtvg) - an Epox 8kha+ mobo, which I just installed 3 weeks ago. Windows was a totally clean install at that time, as well. Do you recommend that I re-install the 4in1 drivers from my mobo CD, or get the drivers from the website you referred to? (...or something else...) I hesitate to re-install the drivers -- Will I lose any any data or drivers for other devices (ie - vidcard, soundcard, game controllers, etc) if I do that? Thanks again. Bert dvgtvg wrote:

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> Update or reinstall the drivers for the hard drive controller in the device > manager. These should be on your motherboard CD. If it is a VIA chip set get the > latest 4 in 1 drivers. You can get them from this site http://www.viaarena.com. > And yes keep the Config.sys the way it is, these lines do make a difference in > performance. Win 98 still relies on DOS for its base program. > > Dave

Thanks to all for your help with this so far. To answer some of the questions: 1. the floppy drives are still working normally. 2. In Device Manager, there is an explanation point next to the Standard Floppy Disk Controller. Clicking on Properties for the floppy drive controller, I get the following message: "This device is not working properly because the BIOS in your computer is reporting the resources for the device incorrectly (Code 9)." So, I went to the BIOS to check that the settings were correct (Drive A is a 3-1/2" drive and Drive B is a 5-1/4" drive), and they appear correct. 3. Dave, I don't think that my hard drives are affected, as the messages only refer to the floppy drives. 4. I do have a VIA chipset, Dave (dvgtvg) - an Epox 8kha+ mobo, which I just installed 3 weeks ago. Windows was a totally clean install at that time, as well. Do you recommend that I re-install the 4in1 drivers from my mobo CD, or get the drivers from the website you referred to? (...or something else...) I hesitate to re-install the drivers -- Will I lose any any data or drivers for other devices (ie - vidcard, soundcard, game controllers, etc) if I do that? Thanks again. Bert

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> Update or reinstall the drivers for the hard drive controller in the device > manager. These should be on your motherboard CD. If it is a VIA chip set get the > latest 4 in 1 drivers. You can get them from this site http://www.viaarena.com. > And yes keep the Config.sys the way it is, these lines do make a difference in > performance. Win 98 still relies on DOS for its base program. > Dave

ok the 3 1/2 inch floppy could be set in the bios as a 720 floppy when it should be a 1.4. check that...good luck dave henrie "BRH @attbroadband.com>" <"bertrh<no-spam> wrote in message news:[email hidden]...

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> Thanks to all for your help with this so far. > > To answer some of the questions: > > 1. the floppy drives are still working normally. > > 2. In Device Manager, there is an explanation point next to the Standard

Floppy > Disk Controller. Clicking on Properties for the floppy drive controller,I get the > following message: > "This device is not working properly because the BIOS in your computer isreporting > the resources for the device incorrectly (Code 9)." > So, I went to the BIOS to check that the settings were correct (Drive A isa 3-1/2" > drive and Drive B is a 5-1/4" drive), and they appear correct. > > 3. Dave, I don't think that my hard drives are affected, as the messagesonly refer > to the floppy drives. > > 4. I do have a VIA chipset, Dave (dvgtvg) - an Epox 8kha+ mobo, which Ijust > installed 3 weeks ago. Windows was a totally clean install at that time,as well. > > Do you recommend that I re-install the 4in1 drivers from my mobo CD, orget the > drivers from the website you referred to? (...or something else...) Ihesitate to > re-install the drivers -- Will I lose any any data or drivers for otherdevices (ie

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> - vidcard, soundcard, game controllers, etc) if I do that? > > Thanks again. > Bert > > dvgtvg wrote: > > > Update or reinstall the drivers for the hard drive controller in the

device > > manager. These should be on your motherboard CD. If it is a VIA chip setget the > > latest 4 in 1 drivers. You can get them from this sitehttp://www.viaarena.com. > > And yes keep the Config.sys the way it is, these lines do make adifference in > > performance. Win 98 still relies on DOS for its base program. > > > > Dave >

Check in the BIOS that the floppy drive is acutally enabled. Also, try putting a NON-booting disk in the floppy drive, if the floppy is working (and is also set as the first booting device,) you should get an error saying that their isn't a bootable device. If you put a non-booting disk in and you just go into Windows, then there is a more severe problem with your floppy. Here is the knowledge base info http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q125174 -Stuart Becktell

Stuart, Thanks for that Link! The solution was simple......Just remove the device from the Device Manager listing, Reboot, and let Windows re-install the device. Voila! Thank to all for your help! Bert Stuart Becktell wrote:

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> Check in the BIOS that the floppy drive is acutally enabled. Also, try > putting a NON-booting disk in the floppy drive, if the floppy is working > (and is also set as the first booting device,) you should get an error > saying that their isn't a bootable device. If you put a non-booting disk in > and you just go into Windows, then there is a more severe problem with your > floppy. Here is the knowledge base info > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q125174 > -Stuart Becktell

Stuart, Thanks for that Link! The solution was simple......Just remove the device from the Device Manager listing, Reboot, and let Windows re-install the device. Voila! Thank to all for your help! Bert

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> Check in the BIOS that the floppy drive is acutally enabled. Also, try > putting a NON-booting disk in the floppy drive, if the floppy is working > (and is also set as the first booting device,) you should get an error > saying that their isn't a bootable device. If you put a non-booting disk in > and you just go into Windows, then there is a more severe problem with your > floppy. Here is the knowledge base info > http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;Q125174 > -Stuart Becktell