[Ndis2 Driver & display problems]

Windows 98, Second Edition, 41.0.2222A; Intel Pentium III, 128.0MB RAM; Dell Dimension XPS T450. I may have one problem or multiple problems. Similar to "Rhody post" - I have yellow icon with Exclamation mark on Existing Ndis2 Driver. Also when I boot my computer it goes to black screen with multiple "how do you want to boot options "...I choose "Normal/#1" and computer boots as if it is in Safe Mode (i.e. icons are huge; colors are fuzzy) although screen does not say its in safe mode. When I try to fix the icon/color thru Display under Settings it says I must re-boot...I do that and it still does same process with same result of big icons and fuzzy color. Also, I cannot connect to the internet.

I have tried to use my 98 System CD to no avail. When I click on Device Status/Properties it says: NDIS.VXD device loader(s) for this device could not load the device driver. (Code 2) To fix this, click Update Driver to update the driver device." I then get the Update Device Driver Wizard which says it will search for "Existing Ndis2 Driver ". After clicking Next it gives me a cholice of "Search for a better device...now. (Recommended) vs. "Display a list of all the drivers....." I choose "Recommended ". Next screen says "Now ready to search for best driver" (shows - "LOCATION of Driver: C:\WINDOWS\INF\NETGEN\INF "). It then says "ndis.vxd was not found" and asks me to insert my Windows 98 System CD... then says found older file which I select then it says "need to re-boot ". I do that and I'm back to the black screen...I choose "Normal" boot" and I'm right back to the large icon/fuzzy color and yellow exclamation on "Existing Ndis2 Driver ". HELP I GIVE UP!!!!!!

 

When you start up and see the Dell splash screen, go into the Startup Configuration settings (BIOS) [it will be pressing one of the keys F1, F2 or Del]. Look for a Defaults setting, it may be a selection at the bottom of the screen. Set the Defaults, then Save and Exit.

I found these
Windows 98 Second Edition Problems with NDIS Intermediate Drivers
Hang at Startup or Shutdown with Ndis.vxd Enabled Try the test in the More Information section first.

Look for your drivers at the Dell website
www.dell.com/support
Use the information to find your Service Tag.

The Dell website has their own forums (the Dell Community Forums), try searching there. It may give you links to better (updated) drivers.

Matt
PS: A PIII is getting quite old now, I might wonder if some hardware is starting to fail. What might need changing though is the CMOS battery (a coin sized battery on the motherboard that "holds" the hardware settings when the computer is powered off).

Me, I might not bank on the computer working for a long time into the future. I would save towards a replacement in case it is a sign of impending gloom.