🚀 go-pugleaf

In comp.sys.ibm.pc.misc Scott K Stephen has several questions regarding
expanded and extended memory:

> 1. What is the difference between expended memory and expanded memory?
>   What is the benefit of having setup the memory as one over the other?
>   And will software that, let's say, requires expanded memory see that
>   I have only extended memory, and change that memory to extended?
  
Older programs prefer to use expanded memory while newer programs generally can
use both extended and expanded depending on what is available. ("Small" utilities
found in the public domain still prefers expanded memory.) On a 286/386 etc
it is often prefered to configure all memory as extended memory. Some memory
managers are able to convert this memory to expanded as needed, but I don't know
about such drivers for the 286.

> 2. Can a 286 handle expended memory? I ask this because, I once heard
>    (I don't know where, perhaps I was dreaming) that since a 286 is
>    a 16bit machine, one can not have expended memory instead only
>    expanded memory. If this is not the case, what is the difference
>    a 286 and 386 besides speed and some machine-codes?
 
A 286 can use extended memory!! It is the old 8088/8086 class of computers that
can't. 

> 3. I am getting a memory expansion board for the 286 because of Windows.
>    But when I try to install the memory, the installation program
>    gives me a lot of options that I am confused about, besides setting
>    the memory to extended or expanded. It asks me whether I want
>    smartdrive and/or fastdrive installed. If I install smartdrive
>    will Windows take advantage of it?
>    I also noticed that Windows comes with its own smartdrive. Which
>    one should I use; can I use both?
 
You probably should configure your extra memory as extended if you plan to use
it with Windows. Windows should take advantage of Smartdrive, but I think you 
should install the version that comes with Windows. The new versions of
Smartdrive interacts with Windows to maximize performance - this might not be
supported in your other versions. I should think that you should install your
memory as extended without Smartdrive. Then you install Windows with Smartdrive.

Hope this helps....


    ___________________  
   /                   | 
  / Snail-Mail:        | 
 /   Rolf Michelsen    |
/    Studpost 130      |
\    7034 Trondheim-NTH|
 \  E-Mail:            |
  \  rmich@lise.unit.no|
   \___________________|