Network Adapter/Device Conflict

[JaWiB]

Ok, ever since last night when I accidentally flipped the switch on my surge protector that the computer is plugged into, I've been having problems booting up and then getting internet to work.

I'm using windows 98se and I was getting an error message that said "Windows protection error. You must restart your computer" And then I could only start up in safe mode. Turns out the problem was my network adapter causing a device confict with some other hardware. I disabled the network adapter in device manager and restarted normally. Then, I was able to enable it again and it changed the memory range and input output range under resources for the adapter.

So that was great, my internet worked and everything, but when I restarted, the settings had changed back and I had to restart it in safe mode and repeat the process. So basically the problem is that I can't get the resource settings to stay the way I want them to. If I uncheck "Use automatic settings" and click ok then look again, the box is checked! Argh...Anyone have any help?

[XSquared]

Buy a new NIC? They're pretty cheap.

[JaWiB]

I'm not sure that would solve anything...There doesn't seem to be any problem with the network card...After all, it is working now--its just that the settings won't stay the way I wan't them to...

[XSquared]

Uninstall/re-install the NIC drivers then.

[JaWiB]

Already did. In fact, I even tried two different PCI slots and tried reinstalling the software several times.

Edit: I'm thinking about trying to reserve the resources that are conflicting, but I'm not sure what will happen if I do that. I think the devices (besides the network adapter) that use the resources are all system devices so I figure they are pretty important...Any thoughts?

[Waldo2k2]

is the bios assigning it resources? if so try tweaking those or disabling the bios's plug and play support for that device.

[SMurf]

Also, Win98, like 2K, XP and every future MS OS, likes to use ACPI on systems that support it, which basically means "Bill knows best" when it comes to your hardware.

Disabling ACPI might help. I know how to do it on 2K (The "safe way", reinstalling over the current installation), but I think it's much easier for 98, just a case of replacing the driver with the standard PC one.

Remember to blow the dust off APM support if you do that so your comp still switches itself off.