Networking, Safe Mode and BSOD's (oh my....)

Hi,

I tried to set up a home network recently, and since then all hell has
broken loose in one of my computers. I've not been using the computer
since it started giving me problems because I simply haven't had time
to deal with it, and it's been over a month now so forgive me if the
details are a little sketchy, but I will try to recount everything
that led up to the present situation as best as I can.

The computer is running Windows 98, and it was connecting to the
Internet via a 56K modem. When I bought my new computer the plan was
to network the two together and have them use the same DSL connection
via a Linksys router. I had to install a network card in the older
computer to connect it to the router, and that seemed to go okay in
that the card was detected when I rebooted, but something went wrong
somewhere along the way because not only would it not see the router,
but my dial-up connection stopped working as well. I tried removing
the network card but that didn't help. Now when I turn on the
computer, it will not boot normally. It starts to boot into Safe Mode
and then I get a BSOD which says "An exception OE has occurred at
0028:C00B82D5 in VxD."

I don't know what to do. I've searched these groups and other sites
for some ideas, for instance I've tried going through the suggestions
in the following Knowledge Base articles, short of editing the
registry, to no avail:

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode,
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306615

Windows 98 or Windows 95 Defaults to Safe Mode Even After Successful
Start, http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=143283

Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default...;EN-US;q188867

I should mention something that happened when I removed the network
card, in case it has something to do with what's going on. Right next
to the slot for the network card is another "card" (I don't know if
they're all referred to as cards) which has the connection for the
monitor, and this became partially unseated from the motherboard
without my knowledge. I powered on the computer with it like this. Of
course nothing was coming up on the monitor, and I didn't realize at
first what had happened so I tried restarting it at least once before
I took a look inside and realized what was going on. All of my present
problems may be related to this one event for all I know.

If anyone has any advice at all I would be most appreciative. After I
set up my new computer, this other one was to serve as a backup, but
it was also supposed to be the one my daughter would use for her games
and favorite Internet sites, and she's been patiently waiting for me
to "fix" it ;-)

Thanks,
John

Are both computers running Windows 98 or is the new one
running Windows XP?

Those 0028 error messages usually involve a problem with
an IRQ conflict or faulty RAM.

See this Q&A:

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/USBProblems.htm#irq

Eric,
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/
http://www.sharedbirthday.co.uk/

-----Original Message-----
Hi,

I tried to set up a home network recently, and since then
all hell has
broken loose in one of my computers. I've not been using
the computer
since it started giving me problems because I simply
haven't had time
to deal with it, and it's been over a month now so
forgive me if the
details are a little sketchy, but I will try to recount
everything
that led up to the present situation as best as I can.

The computer is running Windows 98, and it was connecting
to the
Internet via a 56K modem. When I bought my new computer
the plan was
to network the two together and have them use the same
DSL connection
via a Linksys router. I had to install a network card in
the older
computer to connect it to the router, and that seemed to
go okay in
that the card was detected when I rebooted, but something
went wrong
somewhere along the way because not only would it not see
the router,
but my dial-up connection stopped working as well. I
tried removing
the network card but that didn't help. Now when I turn on
the
computer, it will not boot normally. It starts to boot
into Safe Mode
and then I get a BSOD which says "An exception OE has
occurred at
0028:C00B82D5 in VxD."

I don't know what to do. I've searched these groups and
other sites
for some ideas, for instance I've tried going through the
suggestions
in the following Knowledge Base articles, short of
editing the
registry, to no avail:

The Computer Always Starts in Safe Mode,
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=306615

Windows 98 or Windows 95 Defaults to Safe Mode Even After
Successful
Start, http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=143283

Troubleshooting Windows 98 Startup Problems
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;EN-
US;q188867

I should mention something that happened when I removed
the network
card, in case it has something to do with what's going
on. Right next
to the slot for the network card is another "card" (I
don't know if
they're all referred to as cards) which has the
connection for the
monitor, and this became partially unseated from the
motherboard
without my knowledge. I powered on the computer with it
like this. Of
course nothing was coming up on the monitor, and I didn't
realize at
first what had happened so I tried restarting it at least
once before
I took a look inside and realized what was going on. All
of my present
problems may be related to this one event for all I know.

If anyone has any advice at all I would be most
appreciative. After I
set up my new computer, this other one was to serve as a
backup, but
it was also supposed to be the one my daughter would use
for her games
and favorite Internet sites, and she's been patiently
waiting for me
to "fix" it ;-)

Thanks,
John
.

"John Dolceamore" wrote in message =
m...
snipped=20
The computer is running Windows 98, and it was connecting to the
Internet via a 56K modem. When I bought my new computer the plan was
to network the two together and have them use the same DSL connection
via a Linksys router.

This should be no problem as long as your using CAT5, CAT6 or whatever =
CAT straight-thru cable. A crossover cable will not work.

I had to install a network card in the older
computer to connect it to the router, and that seemed to go okay in
that the card was detected when I rebooted, but something went wrong
somewhere along the way because not only would it not see the router,
but my dial-up connection stopped working as well. I tried removing
the network card but that didn't help. Now when I turn on the
computer, it will not boot normally. It starts to boot into Safe Mode
and then I get a BSOD which says "An exception OE has occurred at
0028:C00B82D5 in VxD."

The most probable cause was a battle between the Modem adapter and NIC =
wanting an IRQ that both could not share with each other or another =
device. If most of your slots are filled, then most likely all of your =
IRQ's are used as well. Go to Control Panel System Device Manager =
and look for the conflicting devices. Double click on one to get to it's =
properties, click on the resources tab and see if you can manually =
select an I/O or IRQ that doesn't conflict, if you can't find one that =
doesn't conflict, then it may be a losing battle without removing =
another device.
Also, as for the Modem for now, in it's properties Disable it. If you =
still can't get away from conflicts, then see below.

I don't know what to do.

I'd start back at square one less the Modem, pull it from the machine. =
Reboot in Safe Mode, go to Device Manager, remove any/all duplicate =
devices, do not even leave a single one of the duplicates. Stay away =
from the Sytem devices for now, especially if they have special drivers =
that are not standard. Once all devices have been removed, close Device =
Manager.
Right click Network Neighborhood on the Desktop, remove the NIC/s, =
Modem/s, File and Print Sharing and close out.
Reboot and Windows will redetect/reinstall the drivers for your devices. =
I suggest not letting Windows select/reinstall the drivers if you have =
the disks for the devices, choose to install from disk and point to it =
when prompted for files.

I should mention something that happened when I removed the network
card, in case it has something to do with what's going on.

Shouldn't factor in although it may, especially if you reseated it =
without grounding yourself or pulling the power.

snipped

You may also want to have a look see at any/all of these:
www.wown.com
http://www.practicallynetworked.com/
http://www.homepcnetwork.com/


--=20
Brian A.

Jack of all trades, Master of none.
One can never truly be a master as there is always more to learn.

"Eric" wrote in message ...
Are both computers running Windows 98 or is the new one
running Windows XP?

Those 0028 error messages usually involve a problem with
an IRQ conflict or faulty RAM.

See this Q&A:

http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/USBProblems.htm#irq

Eric,
http://www.pcbuyerbeware.co.uk/
http://www.sharedbirthday.co.uk/



Hi Eric,

The newer one is running 2000 Professional, but I was unable to get
far enough along in the process to actually get the two linked
together. Thank you for the information about IRQ conflicts, I will be
checking that.

John

I'd start back at square one less the Modem, pull it from the machine.
Reboot in Safe Mode, go to Device Manager, remove any/all duplicate
devices, do not even leave a single one of the duplicates. Stay away
from the Sytem devices for now, especially if they have special drivers
that are not standard. Once all devices have been removed, close Device
Manager.
Right click Network Neighborhood on the Desktop, remove the NIC/s,
Modem/s, File and Print Sharing and close out.
Reboot and Windows will redetect/reinstall the drivers for your devices.
I suggest not letting Windows select/reinstall the drivers if you have
the disks for the devices, choose to install from disk and point to it
when prompted for files.



Thanks for the thorough response, Brian. A couple of things though -
I'm not sure what you mean by "remove any/all duplicate devices" in
Device Manager - duplicates of what? - and I can't find Network
Neighborhood on my desktop. I know there's a "Network" icon in the
Control Panel folder, but I don't think that's the same thing. When I
open it, none of what you mention is in there. Is this right? Is there
another way to access those settings?

John

"John Dolceamore" wrote in message =
om...
snip
Thanks for the thorough response, Brian. A couple of things though -
I'm not sure what you mean by "remove any/all duplicate devices" in
Device Manager - duplicates of what?

Mainly the Modem/NIC, but you may find other duplicates in the video, =
display, IDE controllers, mouse, etc. Safe Mode will show duplicate =
devices that normal mode will not and any one of the duplicte devices =
can/will although not always cause problems. In reality all devices can =
be removed and reinstalled as long as Windows or you have the drivers. =
Some are a little tougher like IDE which have parent/child links which =
usually need to be taken care of in the reg. Just make sure Windows or =
you have drivers for any devices you remove.
=20
- and I can't find Network
Neighborhood on my desktop. I know there's a "Network" icon in the
Control Panel folder, but I don't think that's the same thing. When I
open it, none of what you mention is in there. Is this right? Is there
another way to access those settings?

The Network icon in the CP is the same deal. When you open it, it =
should have a Config,Identification and Access Control tab along with an =
Installed Network Components window. If you have nothing installed then =
this could be the crux of the problem and you need to install them.
Installed components should be at the least:
Client for MS Networks
Your modem and NIC
TCP/IP

The configuration properties for TCP/IP will depend on what type of =
router it is and if it handles DHCP. And at best if you can, you do not =
want TCP/IP bound to your LAN (Local area network) which is your =
internal network, it's best to use Net BEUI if at all possible.


--=20
Brian A.

Jack of all trades, Master of none.
One can never truly be a master as there is always more to learn.