QEMM's memory manager is definitely known to have issues. Also its more of a set of tools rather than just a manager, some people like using it for its "optimize" replacement for memmaker: Which memory manager is better? Memmaker, QEMM or 386max.
Also, I've finally found out what dos loads by default. My windows installs kept having blank autoexec.bat, config.sys, and msdos.sys, so I couldn't get any real target for what I would be potentially improving out of the box after an install.
I installed MS-DOS 6.22 in PCEM, and the default loaded files were:
- HIMEM
EMM386 if you say yes to EMS in memmaker
SMARTDRV
And that's it. Then combine that with phil's MS-DOS starter pack:
- HIMEM
EMM386
MSCDEX
VIDECDD
CTMOUSE
and we have our targets for slipstreaming:
- HIMEM --> XMGR, HIMEMX, PC-DOS HIMEM, DR-DOS HIMEM (all need testing)
EMM386 --> QEMM(?), PCDOS EMM386, DR-DOS EMM386 (all need testing)
MSCDEX --> Don't change
SMARTDRV --> XHDD(needs testing)
[EDIT] Saw the latest post on QEMM. Huh, good to know that there's a possible viable EMM386 replacement.
[EDIT2] Finally, this video by phil cleared everything up for me: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGmCVeAKR4w
Summary:
- wing commander privateer - crashes with jemm386
tomb raider - no cd digital audio
screamer 2 - issues reading the cd
SoftMPU - only compatible with original emm386 or QEMM 7.03
descent 2 - no cd digital audio
the need for speed - issues reading the cd
XDVD has issues with a few games, videcdd is where it's at.
Turns out "What issues does HimemX have?" is right. There seems to be no issues with replacing himem in general.
[EDIT3]
XHDD/UIDE does have issues Smartdrv.exe Alternatives
Looks like a himem replacement is the only pre-loaded file worth doing. Everything else outside of the above list seems safe.