How to Configure Windows 98 or Windows Me to Install New Drivers (200842)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows Millennium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition
  • Microsoft Windows 98
This article was previously published under Q200842

SUMMARY

This article describes how to configure Windows 98 or Windows Millennium Edition (Me) to prompt you to install new drivers for a device even if a different driver has previously been used or associated with this device. You may want to do so to verify that you have completely installed all of the components of a device driver and the supporting files needed for your device.

NOTE: This procedure should only be used if you have already tried to update or change the appropriate device driver in Device Manager.

MORE INFORMATION

To configure Windows 98 or Windows Me to prompt you to install new drivers for a device even if a different driver has previously been used or associated with this device:

  1. Configure Windows 98 or Windows Me to redetect your hardware:

    1. Click Start, point to Settings, click Control Panel, and then double-click System.
    2. Click the Device Manager tab, and then double-click the appropriate branch that lists your hardware to expand it. For example, if you want to change your modem driver, double-click the Modems branch to expand it.
    3. Click the entry for the hardware component needing the driver update, click Remove, click OK, do not restart your computer when you are prompted, and then quit Device Manager. For example, if you want to change your modem driver, click your modem, click Remove, click OK, and then quit Device Manager.
  2. Configure your computer to prevent Windows 98 or Windows Me from automatically reinstalling the previous driver files:

    1. Right-click the desktop, point to New, click Folder, type oldinf, and then press ENTER.
    2. Click Start, click Run, type inf in the Open box, and then click OK. Note that this opens the Windows\Inf folder.
    3. On the Windows\Inf folder Edit menu, click Select All, and then click Cut on the Edit menu.
    4. Minimize the Windows\Inf folder, and then double-click the oldinf folder on the desktop you created in step 2a.
    5. On the Windows\Desktop\oldinf folder Edit menu, click Paste, and then close the oldinf folder.
    6. Restart your computer.
    7. When your computer restarts and prompts you for driver files for your device, install the correct or updated drivers.
  3. After the correct drivers have been installed, return the files you moved to the oldinf folder on the desktop to the Windows\Inf folder:

    1. Double-click the oldinf folder on the desktop, and then click Select All on the Edit menu.
    2. On the Edit menu, click Copy, and then close the oldinf folder.
    3. Click Start, click Run, type inf in the Open box, and then click OK.
    4. On the Windows\Inf folder Edit menu, click Paste, and click No or No to all if you are prompted to overwrite any files.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:12/16/2004
Keywords:kbhowto KB200842
©2004 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.