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    Latitude D410 and Expanded Memory (EMS)

    Discussion in 'Dell' started by RobertJSawyer, Dec 12, 2005.

  1. RobertJSawyer

    RobertJSawyer Newbie

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    Some modern computers don't support Expanded Memory (EMS), but I need it to run some old DOS programs I use. I'm thinking of getting a Latitude D410 (after giving up on an Acer that did not support EMS), and I was wondering if some kind soul who has a D410 could check for me if that model supports Expanded Memory.

    Here's how:

    Go Start > Programs > Accessories > Windows Explorer

    Navigate to the C:\WINDOWS folder.

    Find the file _DEFAULT (it will show as an MS-DOS icon, and should be the first file in the folder AFTER all the subfolders).

    Right click, select Properties, go to the Memory tab, and select "Expanded (EMS) memory", and 1024 from the drop down list, then select OK.

    Next, bring up a Command prompt by doing Start > Programs > Accessories > Command Prompt

    At the prompt, type: MEM /C

    If EMS is actually working, you should see a display like this (at the very end of a long display of memory info):

    1048576 bytes total EMS memory
    1048576 bytes free EMS memory

    16777216 bytes total contiguous extended memory
    0 bytes available contiguous extended memory
    15580160 bytes available XMS memory
    MS-DOS resident in High Memory Area

    (Don't forget to go back and set "Expanded memory" back to "Auto" (the default value) in _DEFAULT after doing the test.)

    As I say, I'd be very grateful if someone would run this test for me. Many thanks!

    All best wishes.

    Rob


    ----------------
    ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer

    Best Novel HUGO AWARD winner for HOMINIDS
    Best Novel NEBULA AWARD winner for THE TERMINAL EXPERIMENT

    http://www.sfwriter.com * [email protected]
     
    RobertJSawyer, Dec 12, 2005
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  2. xbandaidx

    xbandaidx Notebook Deity

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    You best bet is to contact Dell through Product Advisory chat for this information. Not many people here have Latitudes as far as I'm concerned.
     
    xbandaidx, Dec 12, 2005
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  3. Saggy

    Saggy Notebook Enthusiast

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    Right, I followed the steps you provided and it would seem that EMS works. At least it shows:

    1048576 bytes total EMS memory
    1048576 bytes free EMS memory

    The machine I have is a D410, 1.86 GHz with 512MB installed (2x256MB).

    Whether this guarantees that the system will do what you need or not I dont know, its been too many years since I was familiar playing around with the autoexec and config files to change memory settings.

    S.
     
    Saggy, Dec 13, 2005
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  4. RobertJSawyer

    RobertJSawyer Newbie

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    Thank you, Saggy! That's exactly what I needed!

    Cheers,

    Rob


    ----------------
    ROBERT J. SAWYER, Science Fiction Writer

    Best Novel HUGO AWARD winner for HOMINIDS
    Best Novel NEBULA AWARD winner for THE TERMINAL EXPERIMENT

    http://www.sfwriter.com * [email protected]
    ----------------
     
    RobertJSawyer, Jan 2, 2006
    #4