I am not having any problems with my computer or System Memory I just needed some help understanding XMS Memory in the msconfig file and how it worked.

In the msconfig.sys file there was a line that said
device=c:\dos\himem.sys

When ever I READ about what this is for it says....THIS LINE IS REQUIRED TO ACCESS EXTENDED MEMORY.

So would I be right in thinking that himem.sys is the XMS Driver??

and onother line in the msconfig.sys file says
device=c:\dos\emm386.exe

And when I read about this line it says.....THIS LINE INSTALLS THE DOS MEMORY MANAGER.

So if emm386.exe is a memory manager then what is himem.sys??


HIMEM is an extended-memory manager--a program that coordinates the use of
the computer's extended memory, including the high memory area (HMA), so
that no two applications or device drivers use the same memory at the same
time.

EMM386.EXE provides access to the upper memory area and USES extended memory to simulate expanded memory. This device driver must be loaded by a command in your CONFIG.SYS file and can be used only on computers with an 80386 or higher processor.

EMM386 uses extended memory to simulate expanded memory for very old programs that
can use expanded memory. EMM386 also makes it possible to load programs and
device drivers into upper memory blocks (UMBs).


So himem.sys is the XMS Memory Manager and it controles the Extended MERY and the High Memory Area WITCH is the 64 kB right after the first Meg RIGHT???

And emm386.exe Controles the UMB Area and if another program NEEDS Expanded Memory it can Turn Extended Memory into Expanded Memory RIGHT???

And am I right that himem.sys and emm386 are both XMS Drivers??
And you need both himem.sys and emm386.exe to run XMS???