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Protected mode operations limit an application to its own memory space, but that space can include memory above the 1 Megabyte barrier of the real mode.Protected mode gets its name from the fact that programs in this mode are protected from other programs desiring its memory. Real mode restricts applications to addressing only the first 1 Megabyte of RAM. All Windows versions after 3.x run in the protected mode, which can lead to some problems. For example, when a Windows system is booted into DOS mode, DOS can't load any protected- mode device drivers. In order to use these devices in real mode, real-mode drivers must be loaded. The devices affected may include the CD-ROM, the sound card, and other devices not widely implemented before Windows 95. An additional problem is that loading these devices to real mode could fill up the memory very quickly. |