Win98 hangs in Add New hardware process

Hope this is the correct place for this...

Have a problem on a Win98 machine with a Linksys LNE100tx ver.5 network card. (I have downloaded the newest correct software version from linksys) For one reason or another, the nic card failed to load and Windows indicated it would "never again" try to load it. It further suggested updating the driver.

Well, the short version is, updating the driver, removing the device from control panel, and physically removing the card from the machine, then re-installing, all resulted in the same response.... "Windows has located new hardware, yada, yada, yada." It runs through the install routine, asks for the disk, then freezes in the middle of install.

None of the multi-finger salute combos will allow a restart, and the machine must be shut off by way of the on-off button. After the requisite improper-shutdown message/ scandisk, the machine starts and control panel shows trouble/failure to start device and we're back where we started from. About the only thing I haven't done is re-format: System filechecker shows no problems, and a re-installation of Win98 didn't solve it either.

We use this thing for storm chasing and advance warning in storm-prone So. Illinois, and tornado season is fast approaching....I'm really getting frustrated at this point.

Anyone have any past experience along these lines or ideas????

Thanks in advance.

 

PeteC

Your input is greatly appreciated.

Yes, I have been to the link that you provided....see, you all have been a positive influence , even if you don't always get credit! (I read the board weekly, at least.)

I hadn't gotten around to thinking about downloading the drivers again...that's probably a good idea: the freeze occurs between the 'put disk in drive' part of the operation and 'you must restart your computer...', so the thought of having lost something in the download is worth looking into....thanks.

And even tho the computer SEEMS to be running well, otherwise, I still haven't ruled out the possibility of a bad card , or even a damaged HDD .

Problem with changing out the card is, this is "organization by committee ", all volunteers....I'll have to chase down the coordinator this weekend to see if he has a spare card stashed away somewhere.

I'll be sure to re-post with results, good or bad.

 

I could be wrong but I will take for granted that the card in question is a PCI card.

If this is true have you tried intalling it in a different slot.

AFTER removing from the Device manager and restarting 98 a couple of times with out the card.

I suggest this cause I had to do it with one of my Linksys NICs.

I have found that the PCI slot nearest the AGP can be troublesome for some devices.

BillyBob

 

You could give this a try. Take out the card, boot up in Safe Mode, and remove the network card in the Device Manager. Remove Unknown Devices. Boot up in Dos Mode and do this command.
scanreg /fix
Turm off computer, install card and let windows boot normally.

 

2 more good thoughts...I seem to recall reading something about device manager and safe mode, but it has been a LONG while back. Something about multiple entries, and unkowns that won't show up in 'normal' mode.

Should get a chance to get back to that office on Sunday...
thanks to all

 

As an update....the powers that be bought a new computer, so internet access is on. But it's looking like the problem may have gone something like this:

The internet connection is through a wireless provider and the transmitter malfunctioned, and eventually led to the failure to load/never try again scenario-Which led to discovering that there was a problem with the add new hardware app: It wouldn't complete any attempt to add hardware, regardless of the type, upon a little experimentation.

Nice thing is, I can play with the old machine in my (very limited) spare time and try to either solve it, or at least verify the root cause, for my own peace of mind.

thanks to everyone for their input.

 

I had the problem with the v5 as well. Had it installed in the last/bottom PCI slot and would not work propertly. Kept giving a different IP address. Spent 30 mins on ph w/tech at Linksys and we discovered that it can NOT be on the bottom/last PCI slot! Moved it up 1 slot and all worked perfectly!