Sorry, guys.  I wrote this back on 12/15, and don't think I ever sent it
out.  (been purdy busy).

Hello, Matt, (and Roy).  I heard you both talking about  - - -

 RJT> Why would this (Award) BIOS setup screen have an option in there
 RJT> that says:
 RJT> OS Select for DRAM > 64MB (the choices are OS2 or Non-OS2)
 MM>  Probably so you can use it with either OS/2 or DOS/Windows, or
 Linux.

FWIW, I did a bit of internet research, and checked a few user manuals
for AWARD BIOS machines here - Manuals say take this BIOS option if
running OS/2 on a system with >64MB. BUT - At least two Internet
discussion pages say NO, to NOT take this option - it only applies for
OS/2 versions lower than 2.22 or something like that.

 RJT> when the board won't cache more than 64M in the first place?
 MM> Won't "_cache_ more", or won't hold more?

As I understand it, some mainboards with Intel 430VX (and TX) chipset
can hold and work with more than 64Mb, but only the first 64MB of RAM
will be cached.

 RJT> As it happens,  64M is what I have in the machine,  but more
 RJT> would be nice,  if it would support it.  Unfortunately that VX
 RJT> chipset won't...

 MM> The setup option for OS/2 or Non-OS/2 has to do with the continuity of
 MM> RAM above the 64M mark.  Normal Intel based systems leave a hole in
 MM> memory at that point.  Windows writers have worked around it,
 MM> programming from the bottom of memory upwards.  OS/2 uses memory from
 MM> the top down, and requires all memory to be continuous.  Selecting that
 MM> CMOS Setup option swaps a bank of low memory into the hole Intel left.

 That's news to me about a "memory hole" just above 64MB.  I've heard
 about some sort of "memory hole" between 15 and 16 MB, but not one
 just above 64MB.

- - -  JimH.



... Jim, at my age, just what I don't need is another Memory Hole - Bubba
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