how does one completely redetect hardware under win98se

[deep_sky]

I have a friend who wants to know how to completely redetect all hardware like a reinstall of windows does, but without having to reinstall windows.
The problem is this:
win98 will not allow IRQ's to be changed manually when installing new hardware without getting an IRQ conflict, but wants to autodetect the hardware and building the IRQ table.

[Axel]

Two ways come to mind - flash the BIOS with an update on the mobo - that did it for me last time,
Or boot into safe mode and uninstall everything but the floppy drive and the mobo bus drivers. Then reboot.

I'm thinking that there's got to be a much better way to reassign an IRQ in win98, however - Guys ??

[Johnny]

Right hand click on My Computer, select properties, select the Device Manager tab, click on the refresh button. Your system will then redetect all hardware.

[jman01pa]

I have a sure-fire way. You must not be afraid of the registry though. This will almost always fix MS-Dos compatibility errors too. I have done this many times with no problems. I reccommend you backup your registry files by typing msconfig at the run line and clicking OK. Locate the "create backup" button and click it.


First all:

1) Make sure you have a copy of your win98 cd on your hard drive. If you dont then copy the win98 folder from the cd to the root directory of your hard drive (win98se has approx 120mb). You will temporarily lose your cd rom and this still gives you full access to setup files when needed.

2) Go to your start menu and select "run" and type "regedit". Click ok

3)In the left pane look for "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE". Should be 3rd from the top.

4)Click the "+" sign to the left to open sub directories.

5)Find "enum". 3rd one down again. Click the folder so it highlites and the click delete.

6)Close the window and shut windows down normally. When you reboot this will force windows to reload all hardware and network settings. You will have to reboot several times to complete setup.


If this fails you can restore your registry by entering safe mode retyping msconfig in "run" and clicking "restore backup" button and rebooting. To enter safemode; keep pressing your f-8 key once memory is done counting but before windows loads. A menu will pop up and you can chose safe mode form there.

This also work well with win95 too!

J http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[jman01pa]

Did you try this? I am curious whether it was easy to too scary to try? Should have been easy.

J http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif

[deep_sky]

hi....this is not for me but for a friend of mine. apparently his computer went down over the weekend and he is working on critical hw so he just got it running and has not tried anything yet....as soon as he does he will let me know and then i will let all of you know the results..hang in there, i will have some results soon....