During the windows boot I get an error
"While initialising DEVICE IOS
ERROR: Real mode system allocation failed"

The machine then locks completely and I can only restart wih a hard break.

I have booted up using the BOOT floppy but I have no idea if or how to use any of the facilities which appear to be available from the disk when I read the Help.

Hey Maldod,

GIVE this a read:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;272960Thanks Monty but the Microsoft page refers to the error occurring with Windows ME. I am running Win98 and when I tried the solution proposed by Microsoft i.e. to change the "limit the memory" SETTING to "8 Mb or higher" I already had a setting much higher than that and when I reduced the setting to 16Mb I got an error message that my m/c appeared to be short of memory and a suggestion to run the windows setup )(which i presume means reistalling Windows). I tried various SETTINGS from 16mb upwards but returned to the "Real mode system memory allocation failed" error.

I remain stuck with a machine that won't boot except to Safe Mode.Assuming that Windows ME was running happily for a while an then -ARGHHH..

From what I understand, is that the memmory could be faulty. Try running on one memory module if you have TWO. Test with a simmilair size memmory.

You could attempt to reinstall Windows ME without formatting the HD. But I am sceptical about that. Since your problem refers to : REAL MODE system allocation failed and not Virtual (swap file stuff)Good point Gustaaf!  You can google 'memory diagnostic'.  I have downloaded two, but have only used the one from MS.  It has always found errors when they have existed.  I use the lowest level settings.  If your memory is faulty, that would obviously be easier than having to reinstall.

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

Hope this helps!