VGA troubles ? Win 98SE

[elgringo]

My PC has taken to rebooting itself every time the kids try to play games, the problem appeared after installing a Sagem F@st800 USB modem. Device Manager tells me all is well (no yellow!!) I have carried out a driver scan and it shows some bad drivers
Hard disk controllers
Intel 82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller
Universal Serial Bus controllers
Intel(r) 82371AB/EB/MB PCI to USB Universal Host Controller
Sound, video and game controllers
Creative Sound Blaster AudioPCI 128
I also find if I unplug the power supply (USB cable) from the modem everything works ok ?

does it sound like a driver fault and if so can anyone point me in the right direction for free!! upgrades.

Thx in advance

[glc]

Get rid of the USB modem and get an Ethernet modem and a NIC card if you need one. Trying to run a networking device on USB on an old 82371 controller and Win98 is nothing but headaches.

[pam123]

glc has it right.
The only thing I'd add is that you get new drivers from the manufacturer and they're free.
If you ever come across a site that sells them leave fast and check for malware.

[elgringo]

Thx for the prompt reply,
The USB Adsl Modem was supplied FOC as part of a broadband package
would it help if I upgraded my OS ?

[rjfvillarosa]

Originally Posted by elgringo would it help if I upgraded my OS ?

To be honest if the machine came with 98SE and you haven't increased the memory or CPU, then upgrading the OS would probably make matters worse.
Post the system specifications and some info on that new modem, if it can handle ethernet, then a NIC card and CAT5 cable will certainly help towards your current problem.

[pam123]

No not really.
USB can be convenient but its not the optimum solution.
Don't let that stop you from upgrading if your comp will run XP well and you won't have any hardware/program conflicts but the NIC card/on board lan and ethernet modem is the better solution.

[glc]

Even with an OS upgrade, you are going to have the 82371 controller issue - that's a very old USB controller and I've seen a lot of issues with it even with a newer OS. I have that controller here - and my scanner disappears about every 3 months and has to be reinstalled. I have a customer with that controller, and a HP PSC all-in-one printer refuses to install on it with Win2000. I personally would not run a USB modem on your computer unless you upgrade to 2000 or XP, and install an addon USB card - and disable the onboard USB.