New Win98 instal & cable modem problem

[Thira]

A few annoying problems have been popping up lately in in my system & I have not been able to correct these problems. So I purchased a new HDD and decided to "bite the bullet" and work from a clean OS install, having to agony of the IRQ's, updates of the programs, cable modem
setup, & network setup. The computer serves as a server in my home for cable Internet access.
My system:
PIII 600MHz->800MHz
Asus P3B-F
Mushkin 128 MB PC133
IBM 10.2 GB HDD (old)
IBM 15 GB HDD ata 100 7200 RPM ( new)
PlexWriter 12\4\32 CD-RW SCSI
Pioneer 10x DVD-ROM
Seagate STT 8000 Tape Backup
Cable Modem IDE one way
3COM 56K Sportser Modem
Matrox G400 video
Creative Labs Soundblaster Live!
HP 970 Deskjet on USB LPT1 disabled
PDA to USB converter for Palm V to use USB
Serial port 1 for digital camera
Serial port 2 disabled
Nomad II is on the serial port of the network Kid's computer, but uses the cable for MP3 files.
I wanted to work at a "leisurely pace" while reinstalling the system on the new HDD and continue to use the old HDD until done. So I made bothe HDD masters, but only have one plugged in at a time. When i get the new HDD ready, I will reformat the old and place it as a slave.

Unfortunately I have really proceeded the hard way.

I did not load device by deviceafter installing the OS.
After formatting, I loaded a custom install of windows, leaving out windows services and internet.
I did have quite a few yellow question marks in the device manager.
Prior to laoding Win, I downloaded the latest drivers and programs and copied them to a CD. I used this CD to rid the yellow question marks & update drivers on the monitor, video card, Printer, SCSI card, sound card, 56K modem. I left question marks on the PDA to USB converter for my Palm Pilot, tape backup, and Ethernet card.
I called Adelphia cable tech support for assistance in installing the drivers for the cable modem
( it is one way, that's why I need a 56k modem as well; the cable modem is ISA).
The install for the cable modem asked for the Win 98 CD for files but could never find the files. The install never completer. We deleted the surfboard device for the cable modem in the device manager.
When I would re boot, during loading, I got the following:
Cannot finda device file that may be needed to run winddows or a windows application.
The Windows registry or system.ini file refers to this device file, but the device file no longer exists.
If you deleted this file on purpose, try uninstalling the associated application using its uninstall or setup program ( neither available).
If you still want to use the application associated with this device, ty reinstalling that application to replace the missing file.
This message repeated three times, each time followed by the file names: vnetsup.vxd, vredir.vxd, dfs,vxd.
Then as the desktop comes up, the following message:
Windows Networking Unable to load the dynamic link library: msnp.dll. The system cannot find teh file specified. Some or all of the following feature is not available: MIcrosort Network.
I then reformatted the HDD, reloaded windows and drivers. I then downloaded new files for the Surfboard cable modem, called the cable supervisor, and repeated an attempted cable modem install. The same result happened.
How do I get rid of the above message on the boot of windows? Do I have to reformat again? Should I use a "typical' windows install?
I am about to pull my hair out.
The cable modem and Bios I think are fine ( both work fine on the old HDD). If i simply unplug the new HDD & plug in the old HDD, cable access is fine.
Any ideas?
Brallon



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[POBrien]

You need the necessary "network" files from the windows CD. vnetsup.vxd, vredir.vxd, dfs,vxd etc...

The message:

Cannot finda device file that may be needed to run windows or a windows application.
The Windows registry or system.ini file refers to this device file, but the device file no longer exists.

indicates that there are partial entries in the registry that are a result of the incomplete install.

Are you sure the Path to your cd rom is set correctly when installing the cable modem device?

Try this: Copy the win98 folder from the CD rom to your hard drive. Now install the cable modem device when windows asks for it's files point the path to c:\win98.

Im positive that this is the problem. You need the files and then all should be well. The install needs to complete.

also, watch out! Sometimes the install will want a file and it's not on the win98 cd. It's actually on the device driver disk itself.

also, Check to see if there is an "uninstall" program that comes with the cable modem software. If there is use it first then shut down. remove the cable modem reboot. shut down again re-insert the cable modem boot and run your setup with those "windows" files.


registry tip:

Backup your registry first. You can easily get rid of the error messages by doing search and delete in the registry and system.ini for the files: vnetsup.vxd, vredir.vxd, dfs,vxd and any other files that are referenced. Reboot.

Personally, I'd boot to safe mode and backup my registry then remove all of the "error files". Then Id make sure that any devices for the cable modem are uninstalled. Then remove the cable modem. Boot normal backup your registry. Shutdown install the modem. Boot and install the drivers.

[reghakr]

POBrien,is right, you need the netwok files. Remove everything from ControlPanel>Network and add them again.
There are no files for the cable modem, only for the network card. I have a SurfBoard modem myself.

Call Adelphia and tell them to get the *** out there and get it working.

reghakr

[Thira]

Thanks. It sounds like I omitted the necessary files for the cable modem when I did not do the "typical Win 98 install. I am going to reformat the HDD, then do the "typical WIn98 install. I will also copy the Win 98 folded to the HDD before installing the drivers for the cable modem.
I have only loaded Win 98 and drivers for the devices. I am doing this so that I have a clean install. I have been switching the connection from the old HDD to the new HDD to make sure I get a clean install, planning to eventually reformat the old HDD and use it as a slave. The system on the old HDD is also backed up x2.
I will let you know if sucessful.
Thanks.

[Thira]

Thanks a lot. You were right on the money. Everything is set up and running perfectly. And I did get a new Adelphia supervisor who was a lot sharper. Had a few snags with the cable modem, but not with the software install. I did remove multiple devices after reformatting the harddrive and reinstalling Win98. As I added each piece of hardware I restarted Windows and each time saved the registry settings.
One last question: I originally did a custom install of Windows so that I would not get the compuserve, AOL, prodigy on the desktop. Now that I did a typical install, how do I get rid of this crap? I already deleted the folder off of the desktop.
Thanks

[POBrien]

Congrats! :) Im glad it worked out.
Head off to the add/remove applet in the Control Panel. Select the Windows setup tab. Uncheck the Online Services component.