DOS Compatibility Card: System Memory Allocation

In the About This Macintosh box, something is causing the System Software line to report a large allocation of memory. The DOS Compatibility Card software is not even installed and I have started the computer with extensions off. What is wrong?
The About This Macintosh box reports memory being shared with the DOS Compatibility Card on the System Software line along with the space taken up by normal system software. If the PC Setup control panel is not loaded, without first being turned off, the memory allocated to the DOS card will not be de-allocated and will still be reported as being used. Here are two workarounds that may clear this issue:

* Reload the PC Setup control panel and use the on/off option at the top of the control panel to turn off the DOS Compatibility Card. The System Software line will report the proper memory value after the computer is restarted.

* The Parameter RAM can be reset by holding down the Command-Option-P-R keys simultaneously at startup. This will also release the memory so the System Software line will report the proper memory value on startup.
Published Date: Feb 19, 2012