GETTING ACQUAINTED WITH UPPER MEMORY

             For one to be able to make effective decisions about the use
        of  upper memory, one has to understand the dynamics of  how  the
        operating system, the LIM page frame, and other programs function
        in that memory area. To learn about the workings of upper memory,
        complete the following steps:

             1.  Either  make  a  print  out  of  CONFIG.SYS  using  TYPE
        CONFIG.SYS  >  PRN or make a backup copy  using  COPY  CONFIG.SYS
        CONFIG.SAV.  Edit  the  CONFIG.SYS file so that  all  the  EMM386
        options  are  set to "NONE". Also set HIDOS=OFF.  These  settings
        will simplify the activity in upper memory. Reboot the system and
        load  the  MEMMAX software. Open the upper memory area  with  the
        command   MEMMAX +U. Use MEM /A (/P) to look at the  sections  of
        upper memory that are available. They will be displayed as "UPPER
        RAM."  It  may be useful to print out this display by  using  the
        command MEM /A > PRN.
             2. Return to CONFIG.SYS and change the option for EMM386  to
        /F=AUTO.  This  will  create a LIM page frame  in  upper  memory.
        Reboot the system, open the upper memory with MEMMAX +U, and  use
        MEM /A (/P) to see where the LIM page frame was created.
             3.  Try  loading a device driver like  CACHE.SYS  or  memory
        resident program (sometimes called a TSR or pop-up program)  into
        upper memory using either HIDEVICE= in CONFIG.SYS or HILOAD  from
        the command line. Open the upper memory and find where the driver
        or program loaded.
             4.  Return to CONFIG.SYS and set the option for EMM386  back
        to  /F=NONE, reboot, and load the same device driver  or  program
        used  in step 3. Look at its current location. Depending  on  the
        size  of the driver or program, it may be located in a  different
        area than step 3 because the LIM page frame is no longer  occupy-
        ing upper memory.
             5. Experiment with loading several things (LIM page  frames,
        device  drivers, programs, etc) in upper memory and  observe  how
        they are dynamically rearranged.
             6.  Return to CONFIG.SYS and set HIDOS=ON. This will  change
        how memory is allocated at bootup. This will allow DR DOS 5.0  to
        move as much of the operating system data structures and as  many
        of the disk buffers as possible to upper memory after  CONFIG.SYS
        has  been completed. Reboot, open the upper memory, and  look  at
        upper  memory usage. See if there any memory areas left that  are
        large  enough to hold a program that you wish to load into  upper
        memory. If there is not a large enough area, one should try using
        HIINSTALL=  in  CONFIG.SYS to load the  desired  program(s)  into
        upper  memory  BEFORE the data structures and  disk  buffers  are
        moved to that area.
             7.  When you have experimented enough to feel  confident  in
        understanding  the  dynamics  of  upper  memory  usage,   restore
        CONFIG.SYS  to  its original settings and tailor  the  system  to
        match your specific needs.

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