Real mode system memory allocation failed?

[Entity23]

Hey, I just had to mess with my friends old computer. What does the error mean? The full message was:
While initializing device IOS
Error! Real mode system memory allocation failed

Would it have anything to do with RAM or what? He is running win98 and has only 32 or 16 meg of ram. Any help is appreciated. I will try reinstalling windows but I don't know if it will help.

 

[obenton]

See if memory managers (himem.sys and emm386.exe are being loaded in config.sys, and if so, delete them.

 

[Entity23]

whoops, forgot to elaborate. It will boot past the bios, the win98 splash screen loads, then the error message comes up. Wont proceed so I can only reboot.

 

[Entity23]

hmm, no suggestions for me?