This is an update to my post at the following url:
http://discussions.virtualdr.com/For...ML/049151.html

I have found what is causing the problem but I don't know what to do about it. I installed my Creative SoundBlaster Live sound card this morning. Reboot. Message: "emm386 not loading...himem.sys not found...page frame base address not set...upper memory available 46Kb...." that's right Kb. I promptly removed the card's drivers. Of course,"Not all component's could be removed..you should manually remove...." This is of course a piece of software pissed off from being removed saying, "screw you, edit the registry yourself and get rid of me your own damned self. If you don't know how, well it sucks to be you don't it". Fortunately, I do. I removed all of about 2 dozen registry keys, searched for and renamed the config.sys file which creative created, {and was blank in the system configuration utility last night after a clean, error free format and windows re-installation--therefore not needed}and rebooted. Problem disappeared. A customer at work told me of conflicts with Creative sound cards and the Via 686 Southbridge controller chip, which could be causing this. He gave me a url for further info, which I promptly lost. The Creative website is of course no help since they would prefer to sell me another card, rather than support what I have. Ain't technical support wonderful?. UGH. Any ideas?

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640K ought to be enough for anybody. Bill Gates