1. DOS 6.22 have GREAT program - Memmaker.exe (it need several other modules, I cannot remember exact names, but all of that in DOS-directory anyway). This program allows you to get maximum lower memory, configuring everything in optimum settings and moving to high memory.
2. As I vague remember, there is a bug in himem.sys of Win98 (i.e. DOS7). It takes about 200Kb instead proper 10-20. It is usually "fixed" by replacing it with "proper" DOS 6.22 version. But you can check yourself with MEM /C command (if I remember keys of MEM right) - if himem.sys significantly more than 20Kb, something is wrong.
Also you can see with MEM all this TSR-modules that can say to you what is not needed here.
3. There is usually not enough to have SB card in system. Usually there is DOS-drivers with it, that must be activated for card's work. Usually such drivers have some sort of tuning utility to make everything right.