I am trying to install Windows 3.1 on an old 386 computer. I used a boot disk downloaded from Web to install dos. I then installed Windows 3.1 successfully.
However when I now try to boot Windows 3.1. does not open. I get a message
'missing Himem.sys. Make sure that the file is in your windows directory and that its location is correctly specified in your config.sys. file.'
The file IS in the Windoes Directory. But I cannot find any Config.sys file either in the Windows directory, or the C Directory. Nor is there any autoexec.bat file.

What must I do?

You said you installed DOS...

Which version?

Did you COMPLETELY install DOS? Most versions should create autoexec.bat & config.sys on the root of "C:\"

" I used a boot disk downloaded from Web to install dos"

In other words, sys c: which installs the bare minimum (system files only)

Should still work, but you'll have to use the older versions of emm386, himem (and optionally, smartdrv) that came with windows if you want to run in 'enhanced' (386) mode

Ensure that those files are in the locations specified - also note that config.sys & autoexec.bat MUST be in the root of C: (C:\) in order to work.

With a plain text editor - DOS Edit works - I guess you don't have that, but the one from Win9x is actually better - and create a c:\config.sys as follows

device=c:\windows\himem.sys
device=c:\windows\emm386.exe noems
DOS=high,umb

You may also want c:\autoexec.bat

@echo off
c:\windows\smartdrv
path=c:\dos;c:\windows

that's pretty minimal, but it should get the job done

I'm just looking for clues at the scene of the crime

Report Offensive Follow Up For Removal

Try using "My own Dos 6.22 based" Win 3.x Boot Disk. It will get you into windows. If you have no config.sys in C:, the config.sys from the bootdisk can be copied to C: if your boot was successful and you got in Windows.

Your autoexec.bat should look something like this:

ECHO OFF
@ECHO OFF
LH /L:0;1,45488 /S C:\DOS\SMARTDRV.EXE /X
PROMPT $p$g
PATH C:\DOS
SET PATH=c:\dos;c:\windows;c:\iexplore;
SET TEMP=C:\TEMP
WIN

You can use the examples above as crude system files to start with.

If you need Himem.sys, it's on the bootdisk, copy it to either C:\DOS or C:\WINDOWS or both.

Find more info about system files in my Support section.

HTH.

Lightspeed.

http://lightspeed.alturl.com
http://lightspeedwin95.alturl.com