Weird message on OS install.

[PartsMan2]

I just built this system:

P4 2.4 - AeroFlo EMT CPU Fan - ECS L4VXA2 Mobo - 2 512MB DDR PC2700 333MHz - ATI Radeon 9200 - WD 60G HDD - Memorex 52x CD ROM - LG DVD ROM - Nexus Fan Controller - 2 rounded 18" IDE Cables - 1 rounded 18" FDD Cable - (slightly modified) Case (side is still open too) with a 350 W PSU - UltraScan 20TX Monitor.

I loaded WinME it worked the first time, but hung on reboot after I installed the ATI Drivers. Blank screen after a momentary flash of the startbar - and nothing listed when I do a Ctrl+Alt+Del.

I loaded Win`98 I get this message on every boot:
Cannot load NDIS.VXD You must restart computer. When I do a step-by-step conf boot and bypass that file it will come up. When I try to install Video Drivers the Autorun does not bring up the install button, and when I try to do it manually I get "not enough memory" prompts and then dumped back to the desktop.

Now when I try to load WinME is says:
Standard Mode cannot run because of a problem with your extended memory manager. Try reconfiguring your memory manager, orreplacing it with HIMEM.SYS.
If you are using HIMEM.SYS, you need to configure it or obtain a newer version.

I haven't built a system for some time, never had any problems before. This situation, these messages, and what to do about it is all very confusing and frustrating for me.

Any help would be greatly appreciated !!!!!

[stroyal]

I,ve seen this recomended here for vid problems to clean out corrupt drivers.
I'd format and do a clean install of just WIN 98 if that doesn't work.

http://www.driverheaven.net/cleaner/

I'd say it's you have too much RAM for 98/Me. It's recommended to reduce to 512MB or edit the system.ini file w/ . . .

[VCache]
MinFileCache=524,288
MaxFileCache=524,288

You might already have the [VCache], if so, just add the MinFileCache and MaxFileCache.

[PartsMan2]

I've already reformatted ......

Now I can install Win`98 and ....
.... have no vid driver and have an NDIS.VXD no load problem on each reboot (which won't allow me to restart Windows without a failed boot) for proper software installation including my video drivers (beleive me I've tried) ..... OR
.... get this HIMEM.SYS error message when trying to load WinME.

Both of these options seem unacceptable to me.

{Edit} After I posted this reply I saw ER's post ... I'll try your suggestion ER and post again later. Thanks !!!!

>> Any other input people?

Try booting into Safe Mode and editing the System.ini file located in C:\WINDOWS.

[PartsMan2]

I have removed a stick of the 512 DDR and tried again to load ME.

Same message.

Is there a way to get a newer version of HIMEM.SYS than 6/8/00 5:00PM ???

[stroyal]

I don,t think it is the date.
My win98se comp has 4/23/99
2000pro has 12/7/99
My XPpro is 8/29/02 and you are welcome to them if you think they will help.

[PartsMan2]

Thanks but I think I'll replace the HIMEM.SYS file from another Startup disk and see if that helps. I don't know how I'd go about reconfiguring it when it's on a startup disk

Still quite confused

[PartsMan2]

what is the extended memory manager ????

[haxxorpoop]

Good question :\