Computer Hangs When You Add a PCCard Network Adapter by Using Add New Hardware Wizard (271367)

If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/w98?sid=460

SYMPTOMS

When you insert a new PCCard network adapter for the first time, if the Add New Hardware Wizard runs and you receive the following message, when you click Yes, your computer may stop responding (hang):

System Settings Change

To finish setting up your new hardware, you must restart your computer.
Do you want to restart your computer now?

CAUSE

This issue can occur because adding network hardware by using the wizard requires a system restart to complete the networking installation. Additionally, a resource rebalance on the PCCard device(s), is also needed. The resource rebalance cannot occur until after the current process is complete, which does not occur if you choose to restart your computer. This causes the installation process to be unable to answer a system-wide shutdown message, and this causes the computer to stop responding.

Note that the wizard does not normally run if you install a device for which Windows already has configuration information and drivers. In this case, the configuration manager may display various messages requesting installation input.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue:

Note that the only uncompleted action is a rebalance of the device resources, so restarting your computer may result in a successful installation. After you restart your computer, test to determine if the your new hardware is functional, and if it is not, continue to the next step.
Remove the device by using Device Manager in the System tool in Control Panel.
Shut down the computer.
Physically remove the PCCard device.
Restart the computer.
Insert the new adapter, and follow the instructions on the screen to complete the Add New Hardware Wizard.
When you receive the System Settings Change dialog box, click No, and then wait until the rest of the installation process completes before restarting your computer. Note that your pointer switches between the normal pointer and an hourglass pointer while the PCCard resource rebalance completes.

MORE INFORMATION

This symptom is only likely to occur if you install a newer PCCard network adapter that requires new configuration information and drivers from the equipment manufacturer.

If you install an adapter that uses configuration information and drivers that are already provided with Windows, the wizard does not run, and the problem does not occur.