1. Note the devices that are sharing the IRQ with the USB host controller. Look in System Information > Hardware resources > IRQs.
2. Boot to BIOS setup (press Del, F1, or F10 at initial boot).
3. Go to the "Integrated Peripherals" section and disable one or both serial (Com) ports if you are not using them. Disable the LPT port if you use a USB printer.
4. Go to the "PnP/PCI" section and enable "PnP OS", "Auto" and "Reset Configuration Data". The last is a momentary switch and will be disabled each time you return here. It releases the BIOS lock on IRQs and lets Windows take over and is VERY important.
5. Boot DIRECTLY to Windows Safe Mode (continue booting and press F8 repeatedly to get the boot menu) and unplug any USB devices. Remove all USB software in Add/Remove Programs. Open Device Manager. Remove the USB root hub and host controller *in that order*. Remove all USB drivers. Look for duplicate or erroneous drivers and *remove them all*. Windows will reinstall genuine devices.
6. If you have any SB16 emulation drivers, disable them in the hardware profile (do not remove). These are DOS sound drivers and most don't need them.
7. Lastly, remove the drivers for the devices sharing the IRQ with the host controller. Windows should reinstall the drivers automatically.

At this point you have freed up 2 or 3 IRQs and reset Windows IRQ assignments. You can reboot and reinstall your devices *as per manufacturer's instructions*.

Bill

: First let me say that this is a marvelous site and I have read and re-read the troubleshooter and NTKERN errors. I am running a Dell 550 Desktop with Windows 98 Se. At least a year ago my HP Scanjet 6200C, that I bought with my computer started having all kinds of problems. After trying numerous things with HP, I simply gave up, uninstalled it and have not used it since. A few months after that, started receiving Fatal Exception 0E errors (mostly in NTKERN and VXD. In device manager, my USB HUB has a yellow exclamation (device loaders...NTKERN.VXD (02). I have an Intel 82371 AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller. I'm a moderately experienced computer user but certainly not an expert. Dell advises that I do a clean re-install of Windows 98 Se but I would certainly like to avoid that, if possible. My computer jams and freezes constantly and it drives me crazy. I'm attaching my IRQ settings for you info. Any advise greatly appreciated. 0 System timer
: 1 Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural Keyboard
: 2 Programmable interrupt controller
: 3 (free)
: 4 Communications Port (COM1)
: 5 TBS Montego II Sound Blaster Pro Emulation
: 6 Standard Floppy Disk Controller
: 7 ECP Printer Port (LPT1)
: 8 System CMOS/real time clock
: 9 U.S. Robotics 56K Voice Win
: 9 Intel 82371AB/EB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
: 9 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
: 10 TBS Montego II PCI Audio
: 10 TBS Montego II Multifunction PCI Platform
: 10 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
: 11 NVidia RIVA TNT
: 11 IRQ Holder for PCI Steering
: 12 WheelMouseIM (PS/2)
: 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

: Denise