USB Modem -- AAAARRRRHG!

Hi, All -- I bought and am trying to install a Multi-Tech Systems MultiModem USB (the USB unit Alison recommends) so I can replace my Winmodem and run on VROC. When I run the install routine, everything looks normal, and Windows 95 is able to identify it and find its drivers on the floppy provided. But when I click "finish" to install the drivers, installation just stops. The computer doesn't lock up, but the install doesn't finish. I've also tried installing it through Control Panel, but to no avail. After numerous calls to Multi-tech support, the best I can get out of them is that my computer "may not be USB-ready." My Gateway, however, has two USB ports, and I have run the USB utility that determined that it is, indeed, supported. HOWEVER. The one clue I've got is that the utility told me it "PREFERRED to have Windows 98 installed" for full USB support. Anyone have any clues? I really don't want to buy Win98 (and all that can imply) for another $80, just to discover THAT doesn't help make this $230 modem run. If anyone can help, I promise to let you pass me on VROC anytime! All I wanna do is race, for goodness sake! (Sound of hair being pulled out, etc.) THANKS! Kurt Steinbock

Well, unless you have the appropriate OSR2 I do believe patch to Win95, its just simply better to go get Win98. From the sounds of it, you definetly don't have the right OSR release for Win95 and thats why you are not able to get it working since Win95 doesn't support USB. Win98 on the other hand includes FULL USB support....and yes, it does work. I don't have the modem, but I have about 4 devices so far (Logitech Wingman FF, Microsoft Freestyle, monitor with USB hub in it, and a USB Zip disk) Follow the utility's words of wisdom.

$230!!!!!!!!!! I paid $119.00 !!!! C.

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>Anyone have any clues? I really don't want to buy Win98 (and all that can >imply) for another $80, just to discover THAT doesn't help make this $230 >modem run. >If anyone can help, I promise to let you pass me on VROC anytime! All I >wanna do is race, for goodness sake! >(Sound of hair being pulled out, etc.) >THANKS! >Kurt Steinbock

Hey Kurt, I am (eventually) going to do the same thing, but YES you do have to go to Win98. The USB support in Win95 OSR 2.1 just isn't complete. If you do searches on microsoft's site on USB you will find info on that there. Going to 98 is the ONLY way to get full USB support. I don't like it either, but that's the price of progress... --Dave

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> Hi, All -- > I bought and am trying to install a Multi-Tech Systems MultiModem USB (the > USB unit Alison recommends) so I can replace my Winmodem and run on VROC. > When I run the install routine, everything looks normal, and Windows 95 is > able to identify it and find its drivers on the floppy provided. But when I > click "finish" to install the drivers, installation just stops. The > computer doesn't lock up, but the install doesn't finish. > I've also tried installing it through Control Panel, but to no avail. > After numerous calls to Multi-tech support, the best I can get out of them > is that my computer "may not be USB-ready." My Gateway, however, has two > USB ports, and I have run the USB utility that determined that it is, > indeed, supported. > HOWEVER. The one clue I've got is that the utility told me it "PREFERRED to > have Windows 98 installed" for full USB support. > Anyone have any clues? I really don't want to buy Win98 (and all that can > imply) for another $80, just to discover THAT doesn't help make this $230 > modem run. > If anyone can help, I promise to let you pass me on VROC anytime! All I > wanna do is race, for goodness sake! > (Sound of hair being pulled out, etc.) > THANKS! > Kurt Steinbock

-- Dave Schwabe The Aussie Toad -- Grand Prix Legends & Brabham site http://users.wi.net/~schwabe

>$230!!!!!!!!!! I paid $119.00 !!!! >C. Sheesh! MultiTech directed me to an outfit called Eltrax in Boston (I think it was actually shipped from somewhere in NC). Can I ask where you got yours for that price? I'm feeling like I just got my prostate checked!! Thanks, Chip Kurt

Hmm, I'm not Chip, but I ALWAYS check http://www.shopper.com and search for the hardware or software I'm looking for. There are MANY vendors linked on that site, and the prices are always competitive. Just go there and search for the exact Multi-Tech model you have and see what the prices are like. You can even click to sort the list by price. --Dave

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> >$230!!!!!!!!!! I paid $119.00 !!!! > >C. > Sheesh! MultiTech directed me to an outfit called Eltrax in Boston (I think > it was actually shipped from somewhere in NC). Can I ask where you got > yours for that price? I'm feeling like I just got my prostate checked!! > Thanks, Chip > Kurt

-- Dave Schwabe The Aussie Toad -- Grand Prix Legends & Brabham site http://users.wi.net/~schwabe

I got mine for $145.00. I must say, this modem installed without a single problem. I was almost bummed because if all USB devices install as easy as this modem did, even my mother-in-law will be ale to upgrade her own PC. I will loose my edge. Oh well. BTW - invest in Windows 98. It sucks to pony up the jack for it - but just think of it as fixed version of the OS you are using now. Windows 98 is nothing special - but I definately find it more complete than Win 95. Huk_Phin

This is todays price. Went up a little. http://www.buycomp.com MULTIMODEM ZBA 56K V90 EXT UNIVERSAL SERIAL BUS (MT5634ZBA-USB) PC EXT Yes $4.91* $139.00 C >Hi, All -- >THANKS! >Kurt Steinbock

NECX has it for $125 + shipping. I've had pretty good luck buying from them. Dana Bailes

Ditto from me. I tried OSR2 and it didn't work. I hated buying 98, but it did work (you may have to enable your Gateway USB ports under system setup at the boot up). Now I have to admit that I'm starting to actually like WIN98. Good luck. Chuck

NECX is excellent, and thats a good price. Everbody raised their prices after the Alison recommend, I noticed. C >NECX has it for $125 + shipping. I've had pretty good luck buying from them. >Dana Bailes

>HOWEVER. The one clue I've got is that the utility told me it "PREFERRED to >have Windows 98 installed" for full USB support. >Anyone have any clues? I really don't want to buy Win98 (and all that can >imply) for another $80, just to discover THAT doesn't help make this $230 >modem run. Hi Kurt, Yes, you've to upgrade to Windows 98, I'm afraid. Even Win95c (OSR2.5), which should support the USB, doesn't support it the full 100%. I did have the same problem, and after one day swearing I finally give in, and went to Win98. Remco

Hi Remco, did you just reformat your C:\ partition or how did you do it? Let me know via e-mail. Thanks. --Dave > Yes, you've to upgrade to Windows 98, I'm afraid. Even Win95c > (OSR2.5), which should support the USB, doesn't support it the full > 100%. I did have the same problem, and after one day swearing I > finally give in, and went to Win98. > Remco -- Dave Schwabe The Aussie Toad -- Grand Prix Legends & Brabham site http://users.wi.net/~schwabe

Hey, I really want to thank Chris, Jack, Remco and all the others who waded into my problem. I installed Win98 yesterday afternoon, after which the Multi-Tech installed without a hitch. I found myself in "com-port-leftover-parts-of-winmodem" hell this morning, but I've been able to clear that up. I may actually see some of you on VROC tonight! Again, thanks a million -- even though it cost me another $80! Kurt Steinbock

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>Anyone have any clues? I really don't want to buy Win98 (and all that can >imply) for another $80, just to discover THAT doesn't help make this $230 >modem run. >If anyone can help, I promise to let you pass me on VROC anytime! All I >wanna do is race, for goodness sake! >(Sound of hair being pulled out, etc.) >THANKS! >Kurt Steinbock

You can get it to look just about the same as Win95. Without all the web shit. On the Win98 CD they've also put TweakUI. You can install it by selecting 'Run...' at the start menu and browsing to \TOOLS\RESKIT\POWERTOY and selecting TWEAKUI.INF . It will be in Control Panel when installed. You can also make the menu's popup faster and lots of other things. -- Ren van Lobberegt, The Netherlands. Cheetah Racing : http://renevanl.www.cistron.nl/cheetah/index_nl.html Personal site : http://www.toptown.com/INNERCIRCLE/1846/ AMCA web master : http://www.amcaracing.nl/