Resolved Plug And Pray

When I run W98SE I sometimes push in a memory stick. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it recognizes it enough to give it the letter G:. And sometimes it doesn't work at all. (Funny thing---when it does work, it always goes through the "detected new hardware" sequence.)

I use only one brand of memory stick, Intenso. And I've downloaded and installed the drivers for it.

I realize that with W98SE Plug And Play is not very reliable. But does anyone know any tricks for getting it to work more often? Any help would be appreciated.

Don't get excited, Arie, my other computer uses W7.

 

Try to connect the memory stick before powering up the system (yes I know that defeats the purpose) and/or use the same USB port every time.

 

Hi henipatra, Have a look here:http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/win98fe-usb-mass-storage-drivers.php

Make sure you have "Enhanced" in your list of USB in Device Manager. Cheers Neil.

 

I've tried it both ways---putting in the stick before powering up, and powering up first. Powering up first seems to work more often. And I've tried both ports.

 

I looked at Device Manager, but I didn't see any "enhanced" option. Could you be more specific?

 

Hi Henipata, When you go to Device Manager, expand USB Controllers. You must have Enhanced shown in one of the lines:eg.Via USB Enhanced controller/Standard Enhanced PCI to USB host controller.

If you do not show 'Enhanced' - you will not have USB2.0 capability.

Did you look at the link I gave you? Neil.

 

I expanded Universal Serial Bus controllers and it gave me two Standard Universal PCI to USB Host Controllers and two USB Root Hubs. I guess I have 1.0 not 2.0, but should that make a difference? It would just be slower. And it does work sometimes, usually if I plug it in after the computer's been on for a few hours first.

I did check the link, and it refers exclusively to w98FE. If you had read my OP, you would have seen that I have w98SE.

 

look through this link, you might find something helpful.
98 and USB not the best combination.

http://www.usbman.com/win98seusbguide.htm

 

Thanks, I'll try some of these things.

Apparently, it's not just a software compatibility issue; there are all sorts of hardware and firmware considerations also.

 

for usb flash drives - some of the flash drives had drivers written for them some not
with major brands such as Kingston to look for drivers - go to older and smaller versions of the flash drives
( say 512 mb and less)
Often the drivers for Windows 98 SE are listed there
In many cases they will work with the newer and more current larger sized USB flash drive dongles
The cutoff is Windows 98 SE
the original Windows 98 is version that you hardly come across
It does not have USB support
I remember some girl on eBay lecturing me on her names for OSs which she must of learned by rote from some instructor
There was "Original" and there was "Second Edition "
I had tried to explain with links to the Microsoft site but her definitions were not disputable and carved in stone she insisted

 

Hi Henipatra, Have a look here:http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
This will help you recognize your system age and what to Download for USB2.0
Cheers Neil.

 

Thanks; I'll try it.

 

I installed the driver that I was able to download and it worked, first time!

(Still no Safely Remove icon, but that's OK. I'll just shut down the OS before removing it.)

I'm going to mark this resolved.

 

Have a look at this link:http://www.raymond.cc/blog/archives...g-or-disappeared-safely-remove-hardware-icon/

I see that there is a software program which can be installed to give you an Icon in Task Bar. Cheers Neil.