Hi. I have Windows 98 second edition on a Toshiba Tecra 8100 notebook. When I turn the computer on, I get the initial Windows 98 screen then a black screen that says "Not enough extended memory to start windows." and something about quitting programs or something to get more memory. I can start it in safe mode, checked the memory, 77% free, after I deleted almost EVERYTHING extra except for Windows, I tried reinstalling windows (couldn't do that for some reason), ran a scan disk, disk defragmenter, repaired Windows, nothing works. I'd be ok to totally remove windows and everything and replacing the whole thing. I don't have the start up disk (bought the computer second hand) but I do have Windows 98 disks I bought to try to reinstall. Also a start up floppy disk but the notebook has no floppy disk slot. I do have an external floppy disk drive but can't install it in safe mode. I did nothing different to cause this problem that I know of, just turned it on and this is what I got. I have a 3 Com LAN PC Card that was installed when I got the notebook and had myself installed a Netgear card to hook wirelessly to my cable internet. Worked fine for months so installing that isn't the problem, just trying to give as much info as possible.

Please help, I am on my desktop now and I hate it, even though it's Windows XP and newer, it's SLOWER!!!

first test the memory, one program
www.memtest86.com
I do not know if it will run from cd or not.

MemTest86 will run from a bootable CD. There's ISO images available at the MemTest website.

You didn't state how much memory is in this machine. If the below MSKB article applies, then....

Is this the error message?

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253912/en-us

If so, and you can't boot into windows, the c:\windows\system.ini file can be edited from the command line using EDIT. (ie; edit c:\windows\system.ini.) Once in, make the changes, then hit ALT, then hit F, then X, then ENTER to save the changes.

Post back with your results or further questions.

I can't access the internet or the disk drive when in safe mode and that's the only way it will load. Maybe because I can't access the wireless router while in safe mode? Could I do it if I hook it directly to the internet wire? I have cable though and no hole big enough to plug the ethernet wire in, only a phone wire so would I just connect it directly to the wireless router using a phone line?

The error message isn't http://support.microsoft.com/kb/253912/en-us. It is just a black screen that says "Not enough extended memory to load windows. There is 128 MB of RAM, 82% free or that's what it says when I look at system under control panel. Could it be that just my memory has a problem and I'd need to have the memory replaced? If that's possible...

I have no personal documents or pictures on it and no extra programs that I don't need, I deleted everything trying to free up memory, I ran scan disk, disk defragmenter, deleted all the cookies, etc. No luck.

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=311367

Follow the instructions...and I hope this helps.
~Ana

Thank you so much Orphelia!!! It worked! You are The Enlightened One!!! LOL :notworthy:

Also a big thanks to everyone else who tried to help! You guys on this site are awesome! Keep up the good work! You all have saved me from a few costly repair bills!!!

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