Here is the System Information Bill.
After seeing that there are 3 devices competing for IRQ 11 one being my integrated NIC is that
a problem? During troubleshooting I noticed that and disconnected the network cable, rebooted
as to not load the driver and attempted installation with no results. I also see 2 interrupts for PCI steering,
is that normal?

Thanks for your help!

Steve

0 System timer
1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
2 Programmable interrupt controller
3 Communications Port (COM4)
3 Communications Port (COM2)
4 Communications Port (COM1)
5 Crystal PnP Audio System CODEC
6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller
7 ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
8 System CMOS/real time clock
9 (free)
10 Hauppauge Win/TV 878/9 VFW Audio Driver
10 Hauppauge Win/TV 878/9 VFW Video Driver
10 RAGE PRO TURBO AGP 2X (English)
10 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
11 3Com Fast EtherLink XL 10/100Mb TX Ethernet NIC (3C905B-TX)
11 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
11 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
12 PS/2 Compatible Mouse Port
13 Numeric data processor
14 Primary IDE controller (dual fifo)
14 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
15 Secondary IDE controller (dual fifo)
15 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller

: Upgrading from Win98 to SE is not the optimal path. Reverting once you've upgraded compounds problems. A clean installation with all USB devices unplugged is the best way.

: Have you tried updating the BIOS?

: Open System Information (MSINFO32.EXE) and navigate to Hardware Resources > IRQs. Click anywhere in the right pane and then press CTRL-A and then CTRL-C. You have copied that data to the clipboard. Paste that data in a reply here.

: Bill

: : Thanks for the reply Bill. The first thing I did to try to resolve this was to upgrade to 98SE. Going to 98SE did not resolve it , since 98SE seemed to create more problems all on its own,
: : I went back to 98. What I have done since then is to research your site looking for tips. I booted in Safe Mode, removed duplicates (there were many from over the years...I'll remember to check that
: : often in the future). I then rebooted in safe mode to ensure the duplicates were gone and they were. Then I physically unplugged all USB devices then removed all USB devices from the device manager.
: : As soon as I rebooted in normal mode it loaded the driver for the Host controller, checking the device manager that was the only USB appearance. I then reinstalled the SM Reader driver and plugged the
: : SM USB cable directly into the computers USB port. Same result...Fatal Exception Error. If this forced the USB stack to be re-built theoritically the card reader should have been the only USB device known
: : to the system. What is very puzzling about this one is the same version of 98 on a dell lap top works just fine. Do you think I should actually remove the SW for the USB devices that I removed in the device manager
: : and also unplugged?

: : When I went to 98SE, everything on the computer seemed slower. If it may help to troubleshoot this, I can put 98SE back on then repeat the steps with removing all USB devices in Safe Mode. After reading your website
: : I now see there are a few patches for 98SE which may help the degradation in performance I noticed. I am also wondering if since my move to 98SE was an upgrade instead of a clean install, if some of the 98SE benefits
: : do not work unless you do a clean install?

: : Thanks

: : Steve M.

:
: :
: : : Try uninstalling all USB devices, removing the drivers from Device Manager, rebooting into Safe Mode (F8) and cleaning up the leftovers *and then reinstalling the reader first*.

: : : I must warn you that Win98 is not very good with USB storage devices. Win98SE addressed this shortcoming.

: : : Bill

: : : : I've got a driver conflict with this smart media USB card reader. When this thing goes to build the driver for it, screen
: : : : turns blue and has an operational error:

: : : : "Fatal Execption 0E has occurred at 0028:C14F0A67 in VXD APIX (01) + 00003227"

: : : : Computer is a Dell OptiPlex GX1 P3 500 Mhz 256M Ram, 20G available HD space.
: : : : OS is Win98....not win98SE
: : : : USB Controller is Intel 82371AB/EB

: : : : I've been using USB devices on this computer for 2+ years now and this SM card reader is the first problem I have encounterd.

: : : : I've scanned for .vxd files using wild card *api* and *apix*, renamed those drivers and rebooted, no luck.
: : : : A neighbor has a Dell Cpx that had 95 on it, he installed 98 to be able to use USB on it, and this puppy installed the
: : : : first time and works great so I know the device works and the driver for 98 works. Also deleted every USB device
: : : : I have in the device manager (Safe Mode), this thing is the only USB device plugged directly into the computer and I
: : : : still get the same results every time...

: : : : "Fatal Execption 0E has occurred at 0028:C14F0A67 in VXD APIX (01) + 00003227"

: : : : If you have any clues I sure could use them now. This is one of these things you just want to figure it out...who knows
: : : : how much time I have invested in this thing.

: : : : Thanks in Advance anyone can provide.

: : : : Steve