Empire Interactive
Freeing Memory

This guide aims to solve the problems many end-users have with RAM.  As the 
technological level of the graphics, sound, and dynamics increases, the more 
RAM is required.  This guide aims to provide efficient instructions without 
launching into jargon.

This guide consists of three different sections of instructions on how to free 
memory, in increasing order of difficulty.  These sections are:
	- How to use Memmaker;
	- How to make a Boot Disk;
	- How to use Memory Addressing.
Each section also (briefly) discusses the advantages and disadvantages of 
the method described.

Through-out the guide we assume that you are using MS-DOS 6.0 and above.

Before you attempt any of these methods, we recommend you follow the 
instructions below to make a back-up 
disk of your system files.
1.  Insert a blank disk in drive A.
2.  At the DOS prompt, type FORMAT A: /S <Enter>.
3.  When the disk has been formatted, type COPY CONFIG.SYS A: <Enter>.
4.  When this file has been copied, type COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT A: <Enter>.
5.  Finally, label your disk as a system back-up disk.

Note that you can type MEM at any time in DOS to find out how much free memory 
you have.

How to use Memmaker
Memmaker is a useful utility provided with MS-DOS.  It is quick and easy to 
use, and usually frees up enough memory.  Its main disadvantages are:
	- it permanently affects your computer;
	- sometimes it doesn't free as much memory as possible.
Follow the instructions below to use Memmaker.

1.  Type MEMMAKER <Enter> at the DOS prompt.
2.  On the first screen, select Express Setup.
3.  If your game requires EMS or Expanded Memory, select Expanded Memory.
4.  Memmaker will then reset your computer twice, and finally ask you if your 
system appears to be working 
properly.  If it does select Yes.
5.  Memmaker will then exit to DOS, after saving the original files to the 
C:\BACKUPS directory ( as 
config.umb and autoexec.umb).
6.  If you want to return the system to its original state, do the following:

a.  Type COPY C:\BACKUPS\CONFIG.UMB CONFIG.SYS and press Enter.
b.  Type COPY C:\BACKUPS\AUTOEXEC.UMB AUTOEXEC.BAT and press Enter.

How to make a boot disk
A boot disk is a useful tool that allows the original configuration to be 
kept while a temporary configuration is used.  Before playing the game, the 
user inserts the disk into the floppy drive, and resets the machine.  The 
machine will then boot from the disk, and RAM will be freed.  Follow the 
instructions below to make a boot disk.
An example of a finished boot disk can be found at the end of this section.  
A list of drivers you can delete without fear are also at the end of this 
section.

1.  First, insert a blank disk into the floppy drive.  For the sake of 
brevity, we will assume your floppy drive is labelled Drive A.
2.  Type FORMAT A: /S <Enter>.
3.  When the disk has been formatted, type COPY CONFIG.SYS A: <Enter>.
4.  When this has finished, type COPY AUTOEXEC.BAT A: <Enter>.
5.  Label the disk as a game boot disk.
6.  Next type EDIT A:\CONFIG.SYS <Enter>.  You will be presented with the 
MS-DOS Editor, and a list of 
devices that load up when the computer boots.
7.  Ensure that the first line reads DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS.
8.  If your game requires Expanded Memory, ensure that the second line reads 
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE  
RAM
9.  If your game does not require Expanded Memory, ensure that the second line 
reads 
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE NOEMS.
10. Ensure that the third line reads DOS=HIGH,UMB.
11. Ensure that the fourth line reads FILES=20.
12. Ensure that the fifth line reads BUFFERS=20.
13. Delete everything else in the file except sound card lines, hard drive 
lines (if any), CD lines and mouse lines.  These lines are usually easily 
identifiable as the sound card or CD drive because they generally have the 
name of the device on the line.  For example, a Panasonic CD drive will usually read
DEVICE=C:\PANA\CDMKE.SYS
A Sound Blaster 16 card will usually read
DEVICE=C:\SB16\DRV\CTSB16.SYS
14. Ensure that all the lines beginning DEVICE now begin with DEVICEHIGH, 
except for the first two lines in your file (HIMEM.SYS and EMM386.EXE).
15. Save and exit this file using the File menu.
16. Next, type EDIT A:\AUTOEXEC.BAT <Enter>.
17. Again, you will be presented with a list of drivers that load when when 
your computer boots.  Remove everything you will not need to play the game.
18. At the very beginning of the lines that begin C:\, for example 
C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE, type LH (or LOADHIGH), so that the line now reads
LH C:\[rest of line]
19. Save and exit using the File menu.
20. You have now made a boot disk.  To use it, insert it into the floppy drive 
and reset the machine.  The machine will load from the boot disk instead of 
it's own system files, freeing memory.

The following is a list of commands you can safely delete.
ansi            append          break           chcp            command
country         ctty            display         doskey          driver
drivparm        ega             fastopen        include         install
interlnk        intersvr        mode            nlsfunc         numlock
power           ramdrive        setver          share           shell
shift           smartdrv        subst           switches        verify
vsafe

The following are examples of edited config.sys and autoexec.bat files

autoexec.bat                            config.sys
ECHO OFF                                DEVICE=C:\DOS\HIMEM.SYS
PROMPT $P$G                             EVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM
LH C:\MOUSE\MOUSE                       BUFFERS=20
SET SOUND=[list of numbers]             FILES=20        
SET BLASTER=[list of numbers]           DOS=HIGH,UMB
SET MIDI=SYNTH :1                       DEVICEHIGH=C:\[sound card]
LH C:\DOS\MSCDEX.EXE            DEVICEHIGH=C:\[cd drive]                        

How to use Memory Addressing
If your boot disk fails to free enough memory you may be able to free more 
using memory addressing.  This will free upper memory which will enable more 
devices to be loaded high.  It will also increase the amount of memory under 
1Mb.  Follow the instructions below to do this.
1.  Type MSD <Enter> at the DOS prompt.  The Microsoft Diagnose program will 
appear.
2.  Press M for memory.  A new screen will appear, detailing the current 
memory configuration of your machine
3.  Note down the lines that have 'free' or 'possibly free' UMBs, for example 
E000-E3FF.
4.  Exit from MSD using the File Menu.  At the hard disk prompt, type 
EDIT A:\CONFIG.SYS <Enter>.
5.  Locate the EMM386.EXE line (it should be the second line down).  At the 
very end of the line, type I= 
followed by the address you have written down, for example
DEVICE=C:\DOS\EMM386.EXE RAM I=EC00-E3FF.
Note that you can have any number of addresses on this line.
6.  Save and exit using the file menu.
7.  If you find that the game crashes with no error message, or an error 
message stating that there is a problem 
with EMM386.EXE, remove the addresses from your EMM386.EXE line that were 
'possibly available' UMBs.

If you would like any further information, or help, please call our Technical 
Suppport line on-


(301) 916 9303  (US)
(0181) 343 9143 (UK)



