OT - need help on USB drivers for Win98

Mike,

There ya go!! There ya go!! Getting all flamin' technical again! I don't know what all those letters spell let alone what they mean!! "RS" means ratschitt where I come from. "Hyperterminal?? - What's that? A spaceship?? I'm just a simple bushy!

But seriously, these files are mainly Geological Maps that are BIG picture files - megabyte stuff. I use 'em with Ozi-Explorer. I was thinking of a USB Stick as it's small, easily portable and has a reasonable memory capacity. Using USB would be so convenient.

But I'll ask around Dick Smiths to see if they've got the stuff you mention above.

Bilbo

Oh dear Bilbo... we need to get you onto a computer course :)

As suggested below; if you can get the USB port working that will be the best way to transfer data (via a memory stick). I'm not sure that W98 will, natively, recognise all USB sticks? Usually they come with a driver CD which should have a driver (driver = bit of software which interfaces between W98 and the USB stick) for W98 which you'll need to install before the computer can "see" the USB stick. Also, as mentioned, ensure USB is turned on in both the BIOS (startup screen) and the W98 "control panel"/"system".

If you can't get the USB going do as I suggest above (drop me an e-mail if necessary) with the RS232 but rest assured it's perfectly possibly to transfer the data without any major dramas.

If the map files to which you refer show the locations of gold deposits and places where you have found a few nuggets then just post your hard drive directly to me and I'll (free of charge for a mate :) gladly transfer all the data to a CD for you :)

Mike Harding

Mike,

I lost your email addy when my desktop " bleep the great bleep ". This is precisely why I'm trying to get some mapping stuff off my old laptop. I do the research using the desktop (it's bigger and quicker 'n stuff) and then transit maps and waypoints to the laptop- and then GO BUSH fer a looksee.

Could you please send me a TEST message to:

leslowe@iinet.net.au

Thanks Mike,

As for the "gold maps" - that's EXACTLY what these things are!! They're Ozi Explorer maps of spots that I've found gold over the last 20 years or so and a few tracks on how to get there. I've had GPS since they were first retailed about 15 years ago, so there's a fair number of waypoints.

Not much use really as I've cleaned 'em all out!! Unless you have a big bulldozer!

I should be in bed. I'm dying with a dose of flu here.

Bilbo

Truckster,

See reply to Mike above. These are big files. I don't think the 3 inch floppy would be an option except for some Excel data that I have on the laptop.

I'm still pursuing the driver option for now.

But thanks as always for your reply.

PS- no reply from Andrew yet.

Bilbo

Thanks Blue,

That's exactly what I'm wanting to do. It's BENQ 256 MB USB pendrive (thumbdrive?) whatever they're called.

Bilbo

Here ya go Bilbo

Blue,

Now we're making progress. Thanks Blue.

I diD go looking at the BENQ site but couldn't find a driver for a USB stick,,,,,,,,,EVERYTHING else but not a USB stick

I've downloaded it and in a moment I'll burn a CD with it on and then transit to my laptop.

Then we'll see how clever I am!!

bILBO

The original release of Win 98 did not have USB support. It wasnt until Win 98SE (second edition) was released that there was support for USB.

Banjo,

I'll try that as well. Thanks mate.

Yes - it has only one USB port. It's a Compaq Presario 1245 model.

Bilbo

If you know the model of the flash drive, look at this site. It might have the drivers you need.

USB support (WDM) drivers are on the install CD if needed - \tools\reskit\diagnose folder.

Whatever the device you use should have the drivers on any CD that comes with it.

Cruiser,

Yeah, that's what I was told as well. However I've had a look in the Device Manager and there seems to be driver named "Opti" something or other in there. Added to which, if I stick the USB pendrive in the back of the laptop it does recognise that the USB drive is there and goes off looking for a suitable driver - which it can't find!

Banjodog,

I haven't got the original install CD. This laptop was given to me as a "Thank You" many years ago after being rebuilt to brand new by a mate of mine in Sweden and then sent to me over here.

Plus, I can't seem to get this thing to go into the BIOS mode. No matter which key I press it carries on to the Windows 98 screen.

It's not looking real bright is it?

Bilbo

Never had a 98 system here that had a working USB port, then never had SE......... Tried many times, better to move past 1997. Systems are past old hat.

Now theres an idea. I do have a new legal, original CD of Windows XP Home that this desktop is running on. Is it possible to install Windows XP Home over the top of Windows 98 WITHOUT losing anything?

I can't afford to lose anymore stuff after the fracas with this desktop!! That's why I'm trying to get maps and data from the laptop to replace the lost stuff on the desktop! It all went " bleep itshaped" when I had to install Windows XP Home over the top of Windows XP Professional. THAT can't be done BTW - but it leaves you in the unenviable position of having 2 operating systems on the same PC - one at 100% functionailty and the other at 25%. Poor old PC had a "perpuletic fit" and went "gorgonzola gongoozled". Had to reformat the hard drive and here we are today!!

Bilbo

Bilbo,

This bit got me interested - "when I had to install Windows XP Home over the top of Windows XP Professional"

Why would you want to do that?

Bilbo

This link may be of assistance tinyurl.com/tcrlr

It came from drilling down from here tinyurl.com/y2jpcp

PeterD

Gramps,

It's a LONNNG story mate. But simply put, I had a copy of Win XP Professional running my desktop fer years. I didn't know where the copy came from 'n I didn't ask. I never did have a an Install Dsk fer this. Some 2 years ago the desktop was about to go "tits up" & I bought a new copy of Win XP Home - just in case my son couldn't rescue my desktop.

Needless to say, he did rescue it as he's a bit like his Dad - a genius ;) - so I never had to install the new copy of Win XP Home that I'd bought.

Flash to present day and the desktop PC again goes "tits up" and I phone my son to come and rescue me again. He was too busy with work 'n girlfriends, so I had a go myself.

Now then, when you get 25% of the way through installing Win XP Home OVER Win XP Professional, it tells you that you can't do this, not allowed, verboten and I think it also said, like you "Why would you wanna do this".

Well, I didn't have an answer did I!! I asked it what right it thought it had to ask me, the buyer, the customer, such a question. So it went all "littllgirly" on me and refused to do anything helpful. So I had to reformat the hard drive and we are where we are today - trying to get back up maps off my bush laptop so that I can go prospecting without having to remember where I was 20 years ago!!

,,,,,,,,and that's the simple version John.

Take care,

Bilbo

LOL sorry mate. I did'nt mean to distract you from the task at hand. How are you going with that USB driver supplied by Blue ?

Gramps 'n Blue,

I downloaded it, burnt it to a CD, uploaded it to the laptop. I then tried placing it in all sorts of folders that my laptop was searching through to get a driver for the USB stick (aka "Unknown Device") on my laptop.

So thus far, I have the driver file but I don't really know which hole to jam it in,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

I'll try again tommorrow but I may go with the PMCIA card. The laptop does have one of these "things".

Bilbo

I reckon we'd get on well Bilbo :)

A PCMCIA USB card may be an alternative way to getting USB going on your computer. Take your lap top to your local computer shop and ask them if they have something that will work. If they get it going for you they may also assist you with your memory stick. If you get really desperate to save your data this may prove an economic way to do it.

PeterD

GMD 'n Peter,

Hey - it has a PMCIA card in it!! I've never used it for years. I'll try that.

Thanks,

Bilbo

Just because Micro$oft will not support him does not mean that the forum members will turn their backs on Bilbo. Win 98 SE is still a good system. If he does not connect to the net (and how can he when he is out on the gold fields) there is no danger of nasties.

The big problem is Bilbo needs to back up his data onto his desktop before he stuffs up the laptop. Once he has his data backed up he can install XP or whatever.

I am not sure if the hardware on the old computer will handle USB 2 but USB 1 will certainly be fast enough to save his data.

PeterD

Doug,

Yep - read that meself on the MS site Doug. Typical bleedin' Microsoft eh! Thye're about as useful as used doggie disposal bag.

Bill Gates sells all sorts of rubbish and then walks away from it!

Thanks anyway Doug mate,

Bilbo

Richard,

That's another great idea. I'll keep that up my sleeve fer now. I'm determined to make this driver thing work - for now.

If you ever need any help sexing your budgies - you can count on me ;)

Bilbo

Avro's right' USB is working, it's just the driver for the thumb drive that's missing. If the one on the link further up doesn't work, try this.

USB 1 and 2 support is based on the hardware; being 10yo it's got a USB1 port, so no usb2 devices will work fast; they'll run at usb1 speed.

It's not worth upgrading to XP as SODIMM chips are hard to find, and you'd probably have to upgrade the hard disk to something bigger as well. Better bet to buy a new cheapie for < $800.

regards

Andrew

Avro,

See above - I downloaded that driver, burnt it, installed it and it isn't working,,,,,,,,,,,

But I'm not sure if it's installed in the right place,,,,,,,,,

I've got a splitting headache.

Andrew,

I checked around about getting new chips, ram, bigger hard drive etc, it was a daunting task 'n I never bothered. I don't really wnat to spend a heap of cash buying a new laptop when all I use it for is mapping, which it does quite well.

Bilbo

Avro,

I tried your link, downloaded it burnt it and tried to intsall it. It came up with," This driver is for Win 98SE. It is incompatible with your version of Windows".

I think it went," Ner,ner, ne, ner, ner" as I closed the error message window!!

But thanks for trying for me, friend.

If ever I can rebuild a 13 speed Allison transmission for you, just let me know,,,,,,

;)

Bilbo

The trouble is that drivers are fairly specific to their own sticks if you are running Win 98. It is not like running them on XP where one size fits all. I had to install 2 separate drivers for 2 separate sticks on my machine.

PeterD

When I bought the 2 sticks that I have, there was no software that came with 'em. I just stuck into my works provided, latest IBM Thinkpad and they worked no probs. I kept the memory sticks when I retired 2 years ago but the company wanted the IBM back :(

joc45 - can you confirm yer email as:

gerron@tpg.com.com.au

It's got 2 "coms" in it. Is that correct?

Mine is: leslowe@iinet.net.au

Bilbo

Bilbo

Sorry, Bilbo, it's one 'com'.
The file is on its way.

Peter,
Yeh, I know they are specific, but sometimes there's a generic mfr from China or wherever, churning these out, putting several brand names on the same item. No harm in installing the driver and seeing if the PC then recognises the drive.
Gerry

Joc 45 (Gerry),

I tried that driver file. It didn't work I'm afraid.

Thanks for trying mate,

Bilbo

Thanks Geoff,

I read it but to no avail. It seems that Win 98 does support USB, but for some reason my Win 98 doesn't want to find the USB driver that I have in there.

Bilbo

Davoe,

That's a possibility but,,,,,,,,,,,

These files are massive - map jpegs - and my lappy is configured for a dial up connection that no longer exists as I'm now on broadband. It hasn't been used on the 'net fer about 6 years.

But thanks mate - now go to sleep.

Bilbo

Just one more thing,

If using the Parallel Laplink Cable option, you will need to select Windows Start - Communications - and double click the "Direct Cable Connection" to run the Wizard.

P.S. Bilbo, I know about Janome Sewing Machines too.
I do all the machine sewing in our house.

Diversification!

Sandman,

Thanks for you help. It seems to be recognising that "there is something plugged into the USB port" as it comes up with "Device Unknown" in the Device Manager screen. I've had look in the "Device Manager" and there is something there on the USB tag with a big yellow question mark alongside it. Thanks to the people on here I've been able to try several drivers, none of which seem to work. The Wizard goes off looking for a particular driver and even when I direct the Wizard to precisely where it is located in the filing system, it comes up with "Driver Not Found". I'm then back where I started.

I'll have one last try at making a driver work and getting the USB port operational. After that I'll go with the direct connection. It's messy and not as flexible but beggars can't be choosers eh?

I've been told that I can use the PMCIA slot. There is a PMCIA card in the laptop.

I'm learning more every day. Sewing machines are next,,,,,,,,,,,,

Thanks,

Bilbo