Installing a memory stick related software

Dave,

Could you please be more specific?

What kind of memory sticks?

What software?

Zee

hi Zee, thanks for replying.

The memory stick, a USB Storage Media 2.0, is made by Sony. The software is the user interface related to the installation of the removable drive to the hard disk, usually drive E:.

When you go to Sony's site and download the applications files you get 6 files - 2 .pdr, 2 .sys and 2 .inf (I can supply you with their names if you need them).

Dave

I would say copy those files to your system and point the Hardware installation wizard to the folder containing those files to install the correct drivers.

Zee

that's the problem Zee, there is no installation wizard or any .exe files. It just a .zip file containing the 6 files I mentioned above.

Dave

Normally, when you right click on an .inf file, one of the options is "Install."  Try that.

For these models USM16/ USM32/ USM64/ USM128, use this installer:

http://www.sony.net/Products/Media/Microvault/files/installer98.exe

thank you Zee, I will try your solution tonight when I go home. And thanks also to LeeTutor for his word or advice.

Dave

Last night I run installer98.exe which created the C:\Sony folder and installed 5 files. However, when I inserted the memory stick nothing happened. I expected to see at least directory E: in Windows Explorer but that didn't eventuate. What am I missing?

Dave

Check to confirm they were also installed as BillDL explains above.

Zee

OK, will do so, I will be away from the office for a couple of days but I will be back on friday and will let you know.

thanks for the assistance so far

Dave

OK, Dave.

Good luck.

Zee

Is USB enabled in the bios? If not, enable it

good point Steven, how do I do that?

enter the bios (by pressing del, F1, F2, or F10) during boot, as it's counting the RAM
and check around in there (each bios is different)

OK, thanks I will check that out too

dcobau:

Just a comment: You are one of the rare ones that provide instant feed back, thus facilating the generation of the proper comments.

gonzal13(Joe)

good to be feeling appreciated

OK, back in the office, thanks for all suggestions so far but I still don't get the removable drive to be visible which I expect to see it either in MyComputer or in Windows Explorer. Here's what I have done so far:

1) Used Installer98.exe to download the files to my hard disk as suggested by blue zee and BillDL
2) Checked to ensure that all files were copied to the 2 directories as indicated by BillDL. This was correct.
3) Enabled the USB as advised by stevenlewis. This time when I started the pc again Windows advised that it found new hardware and was installing it. Still no satisfactory results.
4) Thinking perhaps the USB should have been enabled before installing the files I reinstalled them using Windows install/uninstall application. Still no dice.
5) Getting frustrated

Any more ideas?

thanks

Dave

>>3) Enabled the USB as advised by stevenlewis. This time when I started the pc again Windows advised that it found new hardware and was installing it. Still no satisfactory results
well at least it now recognizes something is plugged in to the usb, so that's a start
now any error messages, or does it insatll the software OK
any red or yellow marks in device manager when it is plugged in?
If you have an xp box around, plug it in and see if it shows up in windows explorer
also if tweakui is installed check the my computer tab, and make sure the drive letter is checked, and check the config.sys for a line
lastdrive=
and if found make it
lastdrive=Z

Woa, Steven, pls not so fast, I have lost the experience in pc I had some years ago and I am virtually inexperienced above windos 95.

1) Does not give any error messages, software seem to be installed OK
2) Device menager? Is that in the Control Panel? If so it does not show anything at all apart from the normal drives (ie. C:, A:, and D:)
3) xp box??
4) tweakui??
5) Will check config.sys for lastdrive=. If I dont find that line?


 

Device manager, right click on my computer, choose properties, device manager
xp box (a machine with xp on it)
tweakui (check in the contol panel, if installed the applet icon will be3 in there)
config.sys, if the line isn't there, don't worry about it

thanks for your patience, will get back to you on mon.

Hi,

1) in device manager, under Universal Serial Bus Controller there is a red X labelled with Unknown Device (if I plug it in the next slot, nothing shows up).
2) I don't have XP.
3) In TwickUI/MyComputer tab, the E drive is ticked but has a red x on it.
4) file Config.sys is empty

>> in device manager, under Universal Serial Bus Controller there is a red X labelled with Unknown Device
remove all the usb serial devices (in safe mode) and reboot and let windows reinstall them

can I do that from the device manager window?

don't have the Win98 CD.....

check your hard drive for
c:\windows\options\cabs
If found these are the w98 cd files you will need to point the hardware wizard to

thanks, will try that

What I have found out an that works for me is to install the software first, shut down the PC and then plug in the USB device.

gonzal13(joe)

Same here.  I often find that the reboot seems to set everything up completely ready for the introduction of the new hardware.

>>c:\windows\options\cabs

Unfortunately no such animal resides on my computer. I think my organisation might still have a pc with Windows98 on it. If so I will be able to copy that directory and install it on my home pc. Will let you know.

>>>install the software first, shut down the PC and then plug in the USB device

Thanks Joe (and Bill), I thought I done just that.

Dave

You often find that corporate computers won't have the c:\windows\options\cabs folder because of the options used by systems administrators to install windows 98 on multiple computers.  setup.exe accepts quite a few command line switches that speed up the process of installation, and can almost completely automate things to run in "unattended" mode.  One of the switches used (setup /ie) prevents the prompt to create a boot floppy, and unfortunately this also neglects to create the CABS folder.

All you need is the contents of the "win98" folder from a windows 98 CD.  That is the folder on the CD containing the .CAB files.

I will look and see what specific .cab files contain the necessary files for your purposes and who knows, maybe you will find them on the internet somewhere ;-)

thanks Bill, I have also arranged for a colleague of mine to bring in his 98 cd tomorrow. Maybe I can do something then. I don't know if the memory stick is worth all these problems....grrrrrr

It's not the memory stick that's worth it, it is beating the problem that makes all the difference.  Don't let the computer win!!

thanks Joe, will try it tonight (I have the windows 98 cd now...)

Dave

Reviewing your instructions from this morning I found that I don't understand where the .dll file sample fits in. Can you pls explain?

thanks Dave

extract /a /L C:\temp base4.cab  xyz.dll    {xyz.dll is an example}

In place of xyz.dll example type the item for which you need.

An explanation and a dilemma.

After getting a number of stress attacks (figure of speach only folks!) over the memory stick drivers and considering that I have been meaning to upgrade my pc for a long time now, I took the plunge and asked a friend of my to go ahead and upgrade the pc including the installment of Windows XP. That should fix the memory stick drivers problem. On the morning of taking the pc away I had the bright idea of trying the memory stick in the slot I use for my printer. Voila, the pc wanted to rebuild its drivers database. All I had to do was point to the new drivers to enable the memory stick drive. It seems the other 2 slots at the front of the pc did not work as they should!!

And here's lays my dilemma. How can I say which of you nice people suggested the solution first. Which was the solution that worked. All? I cannot accept all of your suggestions. Perhaps I could increase the points for the question and you guys share them?

maybe you can suggest something better?

Dave

Thank you Lee, will do as you suggested. And thanks to everybody else that helped as well.

Dave

dcobau Glad you got it figured out!
I also don't need any points, so it makes it easier to do a three way split. Just glad you got it!

thanks Steven,

will split the point between bluezec, BillDL and Gonza13

Dave

Well done, Dave.

So it appears that a couple of your usb ports aren't working properly, or at all.  Could be a loose wire inside the front of the case and you might be able to see if this is so by gently prising off the front face of the computer case.  Most PC cases have a removeable front cover because some CD's etc have to be fitted through the front.

If you can see the wires coming through into the guts of the case, then trace them and ensure that the tiny plugs are pushed home onto the pins.  If anybody has ever messed with the wiring, then perhaps the wires are on the wrong pins.  Just a thought.

While you have that Win98 CD you will obviously be making a copy of it to assist you with any such future problems  ;-)  Use the "Copy CD" function of the CD-Burning software so that it copies everything bit-for-bit and you would still have a bootable CD if the original CD is bootable.

If I were you, I would create a new folder named "Options" in the Windows folder if it doesn't already exist.  Create a new sub-folder in it named "CABS", and copy the entire contents of the "Win98" folder on the CD into the "CABS" folder.

If you then reset your registry so that it thinks that Windows was installed from the "CABS" folder, then it will look at that folder rather than prompting for the Windows CD if you ever decide to add or remove optional Windows components or ever have to reinstall Windows on top of itself should you get problems where this is advised.

Start Menu > RUN option > and type REGEDIT > click OK
Navigate the LEFT pane to the key:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Setup

Right-Click on the following values in the RIGHT pane, and select "Modify".

CommandLine
change the "/SrcDir=" part up to where it probably says /IE etc, to C:\Windows\Options\CABS.  eg.
/T:C:\WININST0.400 /SrcDir=C:\Windows\Options\CABS /IE /IS /IV /I /IZ /II /NR /II /C  /U:xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Do the same for the "SourcePath" value which probably quotes something like D:\ which would have been your CD-Rom drive.

Close Regedit and the changes are immediately effected.

There is no saying that the Windows 98 CD you have will be compatible with the registration key that was valid for the current installation on your computer, and the only real way to know would be to run setup again and try and enter the key.  I obviously don't advise this, and ethically and legally this is quite wrong, as I'm sure you know.  A valid certificate would entitle you to use any other copy of windows 98 in the event that your original CD became damaged.  You should retrieve your product key from the registry and keep note of it anyway.

Regedit
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion
The value against "ProductKey" is the key you would be asked for if reinstalling.

If the value of "ProductType" is 102 and not 115, then Win98 was installed as an "Upgrade" from a previous operating system on your computer. (http://www.easydesksoftware.com/setuppp.htm).

Oh yeah, I started off with the intention of making the following suggestion :-)

Windows 98 CD:\tools\reskit\diagnose\usbview.exe

Copy this file out to your hard drive and run it, or just run it from the CD.  It is a simple tool that reports the status of all recognised usb ports and devices.

I am glad we could help you. It is teamwork that generates the solution.

It is also wonderful that you gave us feedback, thus enabling us to give you precise comments.

Interestingly, we realy do not look at the points when a client requests help. It is the challange and the need to learn from others that generates the endorphins. When I work on a problem, the endorphins kick in and actually the time spent generating a comment is just not important. The satisfaction that we helped is what drives us.

Joe

...is what drives us.

NUTS!
:))

Zee

Actually, Joe, I really need the points rather than the endorphines, which are quite short-lived and are turning me into an insomniac.  As soon as I catch up to blue_zee (in about 2 years if he stops posting comments), then I will start looking for a source to generate the endorphine rush again  ;-)

:))

BillDl, Blue_Zee, Lee, Steven

It has been fun this past year woking with all of you. I have learned allot.

The Holidays are a wonderful time to spend with your family and friends. My children have moved into apartments this year and I miss them dearly. I look forward to see them during the Holidays.

It is a time to have your best friends over to the house. Special friends are a precious commodity, one to be valued dearly. Aristotle said that a person in his lifetime can count his 'excellent friends' on one hand.

Have a Happy Holiday!

Joe

Nice one, Joe.

Thank you!

You have a Happy Holiday too.

Zee

Thanks, Joe.  I wish the same to you.  I'll be traveling back to California this Christmas to visit my mother and sister.  Really looking forward to it...  

Except, I will have to put up with a regular modem on my laptop, instead of a fast DSL connection.  ;0(

Once again, thanks Bill for the additional comments. I will be having XP installed on my pc (if I ever get it back!) and that should take care of that particular problem. But I am sure I will have many more, so I will see you in XPland.

marry xmas and a happy new year folks.

Dave

and to you Dave!

dcobau:

Be very careful when you install XP Pro. The service pack 2 can be obtained directly from Microsoft for free. It is about 650 megabytes long. The SP2 has some bugs in it and makes otherwise wonderful programs to stop functioning. So just do the updates to Windows without SP2, until you are comfortable with it and software makers can make patches for their software.

Joe

Best of luck Dave, and thanks for the well-wishes Joe.

I tend to agree with Joe about SP2 while someone new to XP is feeling their way around.  The security updates are quite significant, and there for good reason, but knowing what is preventing something from doing what you expect is a little confusing unless you read the reams and reams of "prepare for SP2" documents freely available.

Some of the features can be disabled, although not recommended, but how to doing it  isn't immediately obvious, again for good reason.  Install SP1 anyway, until you get used to XP, and then upgrade to SP2.

Hi,

I did that last wed or thur but the question is still open. Don't know what I did wrong, will try again today.

Dave