INFO: Programmatic Installation of Device Drivers on Windows 98 and Windows Millennium Edition Is Not Supported (324409)

SUMMARY

The development of setup applications to install hardware device drivers on the Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition, and Windows Millennium (Windows Me) operating systems is not supported by Microsoft.

Hardware device drivers are typically installed in Windows by using .inf Setup information files. When Plug and Play hardware is connected, or when the system is rebooted and new hardware is detected, Windows searches for a matching .inf file to install the correct drivers.

Frequently, the OEM provides value-added applications that work with their hardware and require a setup application to install both the value-added applications and the drivers for the hardware. Under Microsoft Windows 2000, Microsoft Windows XP, and later versions, the .inf file can be installed by the Setup application by using the SetupDi function.

However, these calls have limited functionality on Windows 98 and Windows Me. Although you can develop driver setup applications for Windows 98, there are many issues that may occur. The process is difficult and is poorly documented. This makes the creation of a robust setup application difficult.

MORE INFORMATION

The BldDrv.exe sample demonstrates the principles of programmatic installation of hardware device drivers on Windows 98 or Windows Me. Review the Readme.txt file for instructions on how to precopy your driver files and how to automate the installation of your Plug and Play hardware.

Windows 98 or Windows Me are not designed with programmatic installations in mind. Because of this, some of the calls that are needed to implement this sample are not adequately documented in the Windows 98 Driver Development Kit (DDK), or the Windows Me DDK. Therefore, Microsoft does not support this method for the installation of drivers, and Windows Hardware Quality Lab (WHQL) certification logos may become not valid. Microsoft recommends that you install the device through Hardware wizard.

The following file is available for download from the Microsoft Download Center:

Download BldDrv.exe now

Release Date: Jul-15-2002

For additional information about how to download Microsoft Support files, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

119591 How to Obtain Microsoft Support Files from Online Services

Microsoft scanned this file for viruses. Microsoft used the most current virus-detection software that was available on the date that the file was posted. The file is stored on security-enhanced servers that help to prevent any unauthorized changes to the file. The BldDrv.exe sample contains the following files.

File name	Size	Description
Readme.txt	3 KB	Information about how to build and use this sample.
BLDDRV.cpp	2 KB	Calls the 16-bit API which causes the INF driver index to be built.
BLDDRV.DEF	1 KB	def file for the project.
BLDDRV.MAK	2 KB	VC 1.52C 16-bit project file.
BLDDRV32\BLDDRV32.cpp	3 KB	Mechanics of calling the 16-bit executable from the 32-bit application.
BLDDRV32\BLDDRV32.dsp	5 KB	VC++ 6.0 project file for 32-bit application.