Fed up with XP; way to enhance USB-compatibility in 98SE?

As philo mentioned, your frequent crashes in both 98 and XP indicate a hardware
problem, rather than anything to do with XP. Some info on when they occur and in
what programs, with what else running, would be helpful.

Also, you should eliminate the possibility that the crashes are caused by malware:
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm

What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage devices....flash
drives/memory sticks, or other storage devices....you can uninstall their specific
vendor drivers and install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for
Win98SE:
http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
Direct Download:
http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe

Discussion:
http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605

I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to plug in every
memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised without the need to search out
install a vendor driver.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"StargateFan" <IDon'tAcceptSpam@IDon'tAcceptSpam.com> wrote in message
news:3k88v21v46d7h840o2mkn48dd15v3sbku6@4ax.com...
> I'm really fed up with XP. I've been using it for last 4 months
> because it came on this new computer but I'm sick and tired of its
> problems and quirks. There were only 2 issues I had with 98SE, anyway
> (which wouldn't have stopped me continuing to use it):
>
> - it would crash frequently enough
> - the USB issues
>
> Re the crashing, XP freezes up in the same amount of time as 98SE
> would freeze up on me and I have to re-boot anyway so this doesn't
> concern me. Yes, no all-out system crashes in XP but when the cursor
> starts acting weird and you can't type, same difference.
>
> The only _real_ remaining issues are the USB problems and the fact
> that programs are now starting to be available for Win2K and up only.
>
> Re the programs, well, I have pretty much everything I need in 98SE
> anyway. Anything in future that I absolutely must I'll run off the XP
> partition anyway.
>
> So what's left is the USB issues. I do like that in this new box that
> when I plug a new device in, that there isn't that scramble to find
> drivers, etc.
>
> Is there anything that can be installed to 98SE to make that problem
> if not obsolete, at least easier? I know that many Win3x users could
> get all sorts of Win9x abilities with certain things they installed so
> hoping there's something similar here.
>
> Sorry for the semi-rant but this weekend I'd had one problem too many
> with XP, mainly with its inability to understand that I'm the boss and
> what _I_ say, goes! <g>
>
> Cheers. D
>

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:01:05 -0400, "glee" <glee29.RemoveThis@spamindspring.com>
wrote:

>As philo mentioned, your frequent crashes in both 98 and XP indicate a hardware
>problem, rather than anything to do with XP. Some info on when they occur and in
>what programs, with what else running, would be helpful.
>
>Also, you should eliminate the possibility that the crashes are caused by malware:
>http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
>http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
>
>What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage devices....flash
>drives/memory sticks, or other storage devices....you can uninstall their specific
>vendor drivers and install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for
>Win98SE:
>http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>Direct Download:
>http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>
>Discussion:
>http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>
>I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to plug in every
>memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised without the need to search out
>install a vendor driver.

Super, thanks for the info re the driver for Win98SE. I've had so
many other with XP that I will be installing 98SE on one of my
partitions.

Thanks. D

On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 10:28:26 -0500, "dadiOH" <dadiOH RemoveThis @guesswhere.com>
wrote:

>StargateFan wrote:
>
>> So what's left is the USB issues. I do like that in this new box
>> that when I plug a new device in, that there isn't that scramble to
>> find drivers, etc.
>>
>> Is there anything that can be installed to 98SE to make that problem
>> if not obsolete, at least easier? I know that many Win3x users
>> could get all sorts of Win9x abilities with certain things they
>> installed so hoping there's something similar here.
>
>I wouldn't think you'd have any USB problems, anything you get should
>be backwards combatible and work fine (but slower) with Win98's native
>USB support. If you just *gotta* have USB 2.0, buy a PCI USB card.

I should be okay with this new computer. Yes, the old one only had
USB 1.0 but this new one is fine. After all, the old box was 7 years
old bought in the pre-millennium era!! <lol>

"StargateFan" <IDon'tAcceptSpam@IDon'tAcceptSpam.com> wrote in message
news:efo8v2t7v9ell85o2edtnbhk3k2ile578r@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 11 Mar 2007 14:01:05 -0400, "glee" <glee29 DeleteThis @spamindspring.com>
> wrote:
>
>>As philo mentioned, your frequent crashes in both 98 and XP indicate a hardware
>>problem, rather than anything to do with XP. Some info on when they occur and in
>>what programs, with what else running, would be helpful.
>>
>>Also, you should eliminate the possibility that the crashes are caused by malware:
>>http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
>>http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
>>
>>What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>devices....flash
>>drives/memory sticks, or other storage devices....you can uninstall their specific
>>vendor drivers and install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for
>>Win98SE:
>>http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>Direct Download:
>>http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>
>>Discussion:
>>http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>
>>I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to plug in every
>>memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised without the need to search
>>out
>>install a vendor driver.
>
> Super, thanks for the info re the driver for Win98SE. I've had so
> many other with XP that I will be installing 98SE on one of my
> partitions.
>
> Thanks. D

I see they are now up to version 31 now, rather than the version 24 I linked.

Good luck.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm

I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important shortcoming
of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the drivers? For
instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that connect to this
computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and a printer. I can't find
anything for the flash drives in System Information, Add-Remove, or Device
Manager. And I take it the Canon printer and scanner drivers are not a
factor since the drivers offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have
an after-market USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front
bezel - does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?

glee wrote:

-snip-

> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
> Direct Download:
> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>
> Discussion:
> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>
> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>
-snip-

Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex driver is
not, although the device works fine.

Roger Fink wrote:
> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>
> glee wrote:
>
> -snip-
>
>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>> Direct Download:
>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>
>> Discussion:
>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>
>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>
> -snip-

You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to use the
"unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the vendor's driver. If the
PNY and Memorex drivers are already installed and work for those devices, leave them
if you prefer.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all of the flash
drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's driver installed.

If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or should detect
the flash drive the next time it is inserted.

The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work with a USB
printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.

NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is not a storage
device and these drivers do not apply to them.

Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the direct download
link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to get to the web page, then
download from the links there.

Hope this clears up the details for you.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Roger Fink" <fink DeleteThis @manana.org> wrote in message
news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex driver is
> not, although the device works fine.
>
> Roger Fink wrote:
>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>
>> glee wrote:
>>
>> -snip-
>>
>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>> Direct Download:
>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>
>>> Discussion:
>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>
>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>
>> -snip-
>
>

A couple of comments here - and hopefully Glen will catch this:

1) It appears that the newer versions (3.x) require a more elaborate
uninstall of existing drivers routine, if you look at that web page, so
maybe the 2.x versions are preferable (in that respect), if they work for
you.

2) Why would anyone WANT to use the unofficial driver over the vendor
driver? That logic seems a bit flawed to me, unless I'm reading this
wrong. I would expect that the vendor's driver would be MORE complete
(for their product) than any generic unofficial one, right? ??

3) What happens if you don't uninstall the existing USB drivers (at least
with version 2.x)? From what you're implying here, Glen, you say that is
no problem, but if you go to their web site, they say you NEED to uninstall
all the existing ones (and even more of the same, with version 3.x). ???
Have you actually tried all this out, and seen that nothing happens if you
DONT uninstall the existing ones and still install the generic one?


glee wrote:
> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to use
the
> "unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the vendor's
driver.
> If the PNY and Memorex drivers are already installed and work for those
> devices, leave them if you prefer.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>
> If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all of the
> flash drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's driver
installed.
>
> If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or should
> detect the flash drive the next time it is inserted.
>
> The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work with
a
> USB printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.
>
> NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is not
a
> storage device and these drivers do not apply to them.
>
> Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the direct
> download link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to get to the
web
> page, then download from the links there.
>
> Hope this clears up the details for you.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.org/
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Roger Fink" <fink.TakeThisOut@manana.org> wrote in message
> news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex driver is
>> not, although the device works fine.
>>
>> Roger Fink wrote:
>>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>>
>>> glee wrote:
>>>
>>> -snip-
>>>
>>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>>> Direct Download:
>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>>
>>>> Discussion:
>>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>>
>>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>>
>>> -snip-

OK I get it now, but if you read the first post in the forum you referenced
the developer seems pretty insistent that existing flash drivers should be
removed.

glee wrote:
> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to
> use the "unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the
> vendor's driver. If the PNY and Memorex drivers are already
> installed and work for those devices, leave them if you prefer.....if
> it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>
> If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all
> of the flash drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's
> driver installed.
>
> If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or
> should detect the flash drive the next time it is inserted.
>
> The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work
> with a USB printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.
>
> NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is
> not a storage device and these drivers do not apply to them.
>
> Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the
> direct download link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to
> get to the web page, then download from the links there.
>
> Hope this clears up the details for you.
>
> "Roger Fink" <fink RemoveThis @manana.org> wrote in message
> news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex
>> driver is
>> not, although the device works fine.
>>
>> Roger Fink wrote:
>>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>>
>>> glee wrote:
>>>
>>> -snip-
>>>
>>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for
>>>> Win98SE: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>>> Direct Download:
>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>>
>>>> Discussion:
>>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>>
>>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>>
>>> -snip-

1) You're right on the directions for the 3x driver. I didn't see that as I glanced
only quickly at the page last night and didn't read all the updated info. With that
in mind, I would qualify my statements to apply only to the 2x driver, which I have
used on many machines. With the 2x driver, it is not necessary to remove the vendor
driver for devices it is working with, at least in my experience. I have a vendor
driver here and on other systems, along with the 24e driver, and all work fine
together......the vendor driver is used by that device, and the unofficial driver by
other devices.

That said, and not wanting to second-guess the author, if that causes a problem or
failure, then I would follow his direction and remove all drivers for USB flash
drives in Device Manager (although I have not found that to be an accurate method,
as they don't always appear there unless they are plugged in, and some also have
uninstall routines in Add/Remove Programs).

2) The OP wants a driver that works with all or most drives so he does not have to
search out and download drivers from each web site. Also, some devices (more and
more lately) do not have an available vendor driver. Additionally, some that do,
don't work. Besides that, the unofficial driver includes the Safely Remove Hardware
icon in the system tray, whereas many vendor drivers do not. So, yes, in theory,
the vendor driver would appear to be the logical choice but that is not always
(often) the case; and the vendor driver does not necessarily offer any more
features.

3) As I stated above, I have a vendor driver installed on a few systems that also
have the unofficial driver, with no problems. I am guessing that the instructions
to remove all drivers is a precaution more than a necessity, but I am not the
developer and don't have a lot of vendor drivers to test. I don't recommend
something if I have not tried it, unless I qualify the recommendation as such.

So, for now, I would have to recommend the 24e driver along with my directions, as
that is the highest I have used:
http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe

If anyone tries the 31 driver following the new instructions, I would appreciate a
report, as I have no time or need to try it ATM. For v.31, they say to remove all
USB 2.0 controller drivers also.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Bill in Co." <not_really_here.DeleteThis@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:eq5Qr1FZHHA.1400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>A couple of comments here - and hopefully Glen will catch this:
>
> 1) It appears that the newer versions (3.x) require a more elaborate
> uninstall of existing drivers routine, if you look at that web page, so
> maybe the 2.x versions are preferable (in that respect), if they work for
> you.
>
> 2) Why would anyone WANT to use the unofficial driver over the vendor
> driver? That logic seems a bit flawed to me, unless I'm reading this
> wrong. I would expect that the vendor's driver would be MORE complete
> (for their product) than any generic unofficial one, right? ??
>
> 3) What happens if you don't uninstall the existing USB drivers (at least
> with version 2.x)? From what you're implying here, Glen, you say that is
> no problem, but if you go to their web site, they say you NEED to uninstall
> all the existing ones (and even more of the same, with version 3.x). ???
> Have you actually tried all this out, and seen that nothing happens if you
> DONT uninstall the existing ones and still install the generic one?
>
>
> glee wrote:
>> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to use
> the
>> "unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the vendor's
> driver.
>> If the PNY and Memorex drivers are already installed and work for those
>> devices, leave them if you prefer.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>>
>> If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all of the
>> flash drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's driver
> installed.
>>
>> If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or should
>> detect the flash drive the next time it is inserted.
>>
>> The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work with
> a
>> USB printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.
>>
>> NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is not
> a
>> storage device and these drivers do not apply to them.
>>
>> Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the direct
>> download link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to get to the
> web
>> page, then download from the links there.
>>
>> Hope this clears up the details for you.
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> http://dts-l.org/
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Roger Fink" <fink.DeleteThis@manana.org> wrote in message
>> news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex driver is
>>> not, although the device works fine.
>>>
>>> Roger Fink wrote:
>>>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>>>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>>>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>>>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>>>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>>>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>>>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>>>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>>>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>>>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>>>
>>>> glee wrote:
>>>>
>>>> -snip-
>>>>
>>>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
>>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>>>> Direct Download:
>>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>>>
>>>>> Discussion:
>>>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>>>
>>>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>>>
>>>> -snip-
>
>

See my reply to Bill.....my comments refer to the 2x driver....I have not tried the
3x driver, which has more requirements for uninstalling both flash drivers and USB
2.0 controller drivers. I have not tried the 31e driver....the highest I have used
is 24e.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


"Roger Fink" <fink.RemoveThis@manana.org> wrote in message
news:%234$k$5FZHHA.3272@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> OK I get it now, but if you read the first post in the forum you referenced
> the developer seems pretty insistent that existing flash drivers should be
> removed.
>
> glee wrote:
>> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to
>> use the "unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the
>> vendor's driver. If the PNY and Memorex drivers are already
>> installed and work for those devices, leave them if you prefer.....if
>> it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>>
>> If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all
>> of the flash drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's
>> driver installed.
>>
>> If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or
>> should detect the flash drive the next time it is inserted.
>>
>> The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work
>> with a USB printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.
>>
>> NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is
>> not a storage device and these drivers do not apply to them.
>>
>> Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the
>> direct download link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to
>> get to the web page, then download from the links there.
>>
>> Hope this clears up the details for you.
>>
>> "Roger Fink" <fink.RemoveThis@manana.org> wrote in message
>> news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex
>>> driver is
>>> not, although the device works fine.
>>>
>>> Roger Fink wrote:
>>>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>>>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>>>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>>>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>>>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>>>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>>>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>>>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>>>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>>>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>>>
>>>> glee wrote:
>>>>
>>>> -snip-
>>>>
>>>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for
>>>>> Win98SE: http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>>>> Direct Download:
>>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>>>
>>>>> Discussion:
>>>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>>>
>>>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>>>
>>>> -snip-
>
>

Thanks for all this additional info, Glen.

So let me ask you this. As I understand it, you installed the universal
driver after you already had several other vendor drivers already on your
system, and have detected no problems or conflicts so far (and the
previously installed devices still are using the vendor specific drivers as
before).

However, if you NOW add another USB device, will you still be given a choice
to be able to either select the vendor specific driver, or the generic one,
as you see fit?
I'm not sure how this works, but I would guess that as soon as you plug in
the new device, the universal driver would pick it up, and you would have to
later change it to the vendor specific driver by then inserting the vendor
driver CD at that time.

Or maybe you could have just put the vendor CD into the computer in the
first place, and installed the driver, before you connect up the USB device
(and then let the new hardware found dialog start). (I guess that's
correct - my memory is a bit hazy on this).

One other question - isn't it very likely that the vendor specific driver
WILL have some extra capabilities above and beyond the universal one for
their specific hardware? Or is the code designed into the USB driver
indeed very generic by its own nature? (I would have thought otherwise,
however)


glee wrote:
> 1) You're right on the directions for the 3x driver. I didn't see that as
I
> glanced only quickly at the page last night and didn't read all the
updated
> info. With that in mind, I would qualify my statements to apply only to
the
> 2x driver, which I have used on many machines. With the 2x driver, it is
not
> necessary to remove the vendor driver for devices it is working with, at
> least in my experience. I have a vendor driver here and on other systems,
> along with the 24e driver, and all work fine together......the vendor
driver
> is used by that device, and the unofficial driver by other devices.
>
> That said, and not wanting to second-guess the author, if that causes a
> problem or failure, then I would follow his direction and remove all
drivers
> for USB flash drives in Device Manager (although I have not found that to
be
> an accurate method, as they don't always appear there unless they are
plugged
> in, and some also have uninstall routines in Add/Remove Programs).
>
> 2) The OP wants a driver that works with all or most drives so he does not
> have to search out and download drivers from each web site. Also, some
> devices (more and more lately) do not have an available vendor driver.
> Additionally, some that do, don't work. Besides that, the unofficial
driver
> includes the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the system tray, whereas many
> vendor drivers do not. So, yes, in theory, the vendor driver would appear
to
> be the logical choice but that is not always (often) the case; and the
> vendor driver does not necessarily offer any more features.
>
> 3) As I stated above, I have a vendor driver installed on a few systems
that
> also have the unofficial driver, with no problems. I am guessing that the
> instructions to remove all drivers is a precaution more than a necessity,
but
> I am not the developer and don't have a lot of vendor drivers to test. I
> don't recommend something if I have not tried it, unless I qualify the
> recommendation as such.
>
> So, for now, I would have to recommend the 24e driver along with my
> directions, as that is the highest I have used:
> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>
> If anyone tries the 31 driver following the new instructions, I would
> appreciate a report, as I have no time or need to try it ATM. For v.31,
they
> say to remove all USB 2.0 controller drivers also.
> --
> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
> http://dts-l.org/
> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>
>
> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here DeleteThis @earthlink.net> wrote in message
> news:eq5Qr1FZHHA.1400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> A couple of comments here - and hopefully Glen will catch this:
>>
>> 1) It appears that the newer versions (3.x) require a more elaborate
>> uninstall of existing drivers routine, if you look at that web page, so
>> maybe the 2.x versions are preferable (in that respect), if they work for
>> you.
>>
>> 2) Why would anyone WANT to use the unofficial driver over the vendor
>> driver? That logic seems a bit flawed to me, unless I'm reading this
>> wrong. I would expect that the vendor's driver would be MORE complete
>> (for their product) than any generic unofficial one, right? ??
>>
>> 3) What happens if you don't uninstall the existing USB drivers (at least
>> with version 2.x)? From what you're implying here, Glen, you say that
is
>> no problem, but if you go to their web site, they say you NEED to
uninstall
>> all the existing ones (and even more of the same, with version 3.x).
???
>> Have you actually tried all this out, and seen that nothing happens if
you
>> DONT uninstall the existing ones and still install the generic one?
>>
>>
>> glee wrote:
>>> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to use
>> the
>>> "unofficial native driver" for_that_ device instead of the vendor's
>> driver.
>>> If the PNY and Memorex drivers are already installed and work for those
>>> devices, leave them if you prefer.....if it ain't broke, don't fix it.
>>>
>>> If you install the driver I mentioned, it will work for most or all of
the
>>> flash drives you insert that do not already have a vendor's driver
>> installed.
>>>
>>> If you uninstall a vendor's driver, the "unofficial" driver will or
should
>>> detect the flash drive the next time it is inserted.
>>>
>>> The driver I linked is a USB mass storage driver....it will not work
with
>> a
>>> USB printer or scanner, as they are not storage devices.
>>>
>>> NO, do not uninstall the driver for the USB PCI card. Again, that is
not
>> a
>>> storage device and these drivers do not apply to them.
>>>
>>> Note: I see the driver I mentioned is now up to version 31, so the
direct
>>> download link I gave is obsolete. Just use the first link to get to the
>> web
>>> page, then download from the links there.
>>>
>>> Hope this clears up the details for you.
>>> --
>>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>>> http://dts-l.org/
>>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>>
>>>
>>> "Roger Fink" <fink DeleteThis @manana.org> wrote in message
>>> news:O7qvukEZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>>> Correction - the PNY flash driver is in add-remove; the Memorex driver
is
>>>> not, although the device works fine.
>>>>
>>>> Roger Fink wrote:
>>>>> I'd like to try this since if it works it would fix an important
>>>>> shortcoming of 98SE, but how do you locate, identify and remove the
>>>>> drivers? For instance, I recall having 4 USB-powered devices that
>>>>> connect to this computer: two brands of flash drives, a scanner, and
>>>>> a printer. I can't find anything for the flash drives in System
>>>>> Information, Add-Remove, or Device Manager. And I take it the Canon
>>>>> printer and scanner drivers are not a factor since the drivers
>>>>> offered only vary by operating system. Also, I have an after-market
>>>>> USB PCI card installed to run add-on USB ports in the front bezel -
>>>>> does the driver for the USB card have to be uninstalled as well?
>>>>>
>>>>> glee wrote:
>>>>>
>>>>> -snip-
>>>>>
>>>>>> What devices do you need to use with USB? If they are mass storage
>>>>>> devices....flash drives/memory sticks, or other storage
>>>>>> devices....you can uninstall their specific vendor drivers and
>>>>>> install the "unofficial" Native USB Mass Storage Driver for Win98SE:
>>>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/kb/usbmsd98.php
>>>>>> Direct Download:
>>>>>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Discussion:
>>>>>> http://www.msfn.org/board/index.php?showtopic=43605
>>>>>>
>>>>>> I have had very good luck with this driver, and have been able to
>>>>>> plug in every memory stick I have encountered, and it is recognised
>>>>>> without the need to search out install a vendor driver.
>>>>>>
>>>>> -snip-

"Bill in Co." <not_really_here.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
news:eCMAvgOZHHA.1296@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Thanks for all this additional info, Glen.
>
> So let me ask you this. As I understand it, you installed the universal
> driver after you already had several other vendor drivers already on your
> system, and have detected no problems or conflicts so far (and the
> previously installed devices still are using the vendor specific drivers as
> before).

Not several, a couple....but yes, the rest is correct.

> However, if you NOW add another USB device, will you still be given a choice
> to be able to either select the vendor specific driver, or the generic one,
> as you see fit?

No, as you state below, if I just insert the device, the unofficial driver
enumerates it.

> I'm not sure how this works, but I would guess that as soon as you plug in
> the new device, the universal driver would pick it up, and you would have to
> later change it to the vendor specific driver by then inserting the vendor
> driver CD at that time.

No, AFAIK it is as described below....

> Or maybe you could have just put the vendor CD into the computer in the
> first place, and installed the driver, before you connect up the USB device
> (and then let the new hardware found dialog start). (I guess that's
> correct - my memory is a bit hazy on this).

Right, if I want to use the vendor driver, the usual procedure is to install the
driver first, then insert the device. I can see where the "unofficial" driver
developer would prefer to have the vendor drivers removed because there is the
*potential* for conflicts, buit I don't imagine the potential is much greater than
having all those different vendor drivers installed for each device, which is the
alternative.


> One other question - isn't it very likely that the vendor specific driver
> WILL have some extra capabilities above and beyond the universal one for
> their specific hardware? Or is the code designed into the USB driver
> indeed very generic by its own nature? (I would have thought otherwise,
> however)

I can't say, as I haven't tried a huge number of devices and those have all been
flash drives. With them, I haven't seen any extra capabilities with the vendor
driver in Win98, at least the ones I've tried. There may be, with other types of
mass storage such as USB hard drives, but I haven't tried them. I suggest you look
at the .inf file used by the universal driver, and compare it to that packaged with
a vendor driver, and see how much difference there is, if any, in terms of
capabilities. Also, try the driver with some of your devices and see what
performance you get.
--
Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
http://dts-l.org/
http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm


> glee wrote:
>> 1) You're right on the directions for the 3x driver. I didn't see that as
> I
>> glanced only quickly at the page last night and didn't read all the
> updated
>> info. With that in mind, I would qualify my statements to apply only to
> the
>> 2x driver, which I have used on many machines. With the 2x driver, it is
> not
>> necessary to remove the vendor driver for devices it is working with, at
>> least in my experience. I have a vendor driver here and on other systems,
>> along with the 24e driver, and all work fine together......the vendor
> driver
>> is used by that device, and the unofficial driver by other devices.
>>
>> That said, and not wanting to second-guess the author, if that causes a
>> problem or failure, then I would follow his direction and remove all
> drivers
>> for USB flash drives in Device Manager (although I have not found that to
> be
>> an accurate method, as they don't always appear there unless they are
> plugged
>> in, and some also have uninstall routines in Add/Remove Programs).
>>
>> 2) The OP wants a driver that works with all or most drives so he does not
>> have to search out and download drivers from each web site. Also, some
>> devices (more and more lately) do not have an available vendor driver.
>> Additionally, some that do, don't work. Besides that, the unofficial
> driver
>> includes the Safely Remove Hardware icon in the system tray, whereas many
>> vendor drivers do not. So, yes, in theory, the vendor driver would appear
> to
>> be the logical choice but that is not always (often) the case; and the
>> vendor driver does not necessarily offer any more features.
>>
>> 3) As I stated above, I have a vendor driver installed on a few systems
> that
>> also have the unofficial driver, with no problems. I am guessing that the
>> instructions to remove all drivers is a precaution more than a necessity,
> but
>> I am not the developer and don't have a lot of vendor drivers to test. I
>> don't recommend something if I have not tried it, unless I qualify the
>> recommendation as such.
>>
>> So, for now, I would have to recommend the 24e driver along with my
>> directions, as that is the highest I have used:
>> http://www.technical-assistance.co.uk/drivers/nusb24e.exe
>>
>> If anyone tries the 31 driver following the new instructions, I would
>> appreciate a report, as I have no time or need to try it ATM. For v.31,
> they
>> say to remove all USB 2.0 controller drivers also.
>> --
>> Glen Ventura, MS MVP Shell/User, A+
>> http://dts-l.org/
>> http://dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
>>
>>
>> "Bill in Co." <not_really_here.TakeThisOut@earthlink.net> wrote in message
>> news:eq5Qr1FZHHA.1400@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> A couple of comments here - and hopefully Glen will catch this:
>>>
>>> 1) It appears that the newer versions (3.x) require a more elaborate
>>> uninstall of existing drivers routine, if you look at that web page, so
>>> maybe the 2.x versions are preferable (in that respect), if they work for
>>> you.
>>>
>>> 2) Why would anyone WANT to use the unofficial driver over the vendor
>>> driver? That logic seems a bit flawed to me, unless I'm reading this
>>> wrong. I would expect that the vendor's driver would be MORE complete
>>> (for their product) than any generic unofficial one, right? ??
>>>
>>> 3) What happens if you don't uninstall the existing USB drivers (at least
>>> with version 2.x)? From what you're implying here, Glen, you say that
> is
>>> no problem, but if you go to their web site, they say you NEED to
> uninstall
>>> all the existing ones (and even more of the same, with version 3.x).
> ???
>>> Have you actually tried all this out, and seen that nothing happens if
> you
>>> DONT uninstall the existing ones and still install the generic one?
>>>
>>>
>>> glee wrote:
>>>> You do not *have to* remove any old drivers....only is you prefer to use
>>> the
<