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General discussion

Linksys WPC55AG, Dell Inspiron 8000, Windows ME

Apr 4, 2005 2:22PM PDT

I bought a Linksys WPC55AG Wireless Network Adapter card from Dell, for use with an Inspiron 8000 running Win ME. I have had nothing but trouble with it.

The installation software generates an error msg "Access Violation at Address 78003B5D, module MSVCRT.DLL, write address 008C0130".

Linksys Tech Support had me on the phone for over an hour installing, uninstalling, and reinstalling. Finally their second-level tech support person decided that the problem must be Microsoft's fault because MSVCRT.DLL is part of the o/s.

I checked the file. There is nothing wrong with it. It is the same genuine original uncorrupted file that came with the o/s.

All this was before actually inserting the card into the computer.

Despite the error msg, the installation did seem to work--I think. But the card doesn't. It recognizes the existence of the wireless network in my office (the router sits about 5 feet from my desk) but won't connect to it.

The software on the installation disk is called version 1.2 and is dated Nov 1994. The Linksys web site offers 2 older versions of the software called 1.1 and 1.2 (but that "1.2" is NOT the same as the one on the disk.) I tried both. Neither threw the error msg, but neither even recognized the network, let alone connected to it.

I spent most of an hour in an online chat with a Dell tech support person--a raw rookie who has no idea what MSVCRT.DLL is!

Is there a fix? Is there a different dual band card that would work with my computer?

Discussion is locked

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Frankly Spyware can do this too.
Apr 4, 2005 2:38PM PDT
http://www.spywarefri.dk/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=9150 and other discussions note this issue.

Your rookie (and even I) can't solve this one for a few reasons. Windows ME is the most loved of the Windows versions since Microsoft was so sure that SFP and System Restore would shield the OS they left out the old SFC and other repair tools.

Leave your ire in Redmond and start the road to being spyware free.

Bob
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no spyware for me
Apr 4, 2005 3:02PM PDT

I use Spybot S & D, Javacool Spyware Blaster, Avast, and Zone Alarm. I use the Firefox browser.

If those aren't enough to slay all spyware, what should I add to the mix?

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I only noted the most common cause.
Apr 4, 2005 3:10PM PDT

After this, I tackle this one by updating motherboard drivers since they play a key role.

Can I ask why the Forum tip was not used in your post?

It doesn't matter, but I wonder if its showing for most members. It asks for information so responders don't have to ask as many questions.

If not the motherboard drivers or latest device drivers then I wipe the OS and see if it works. I've had to demo that on a second hard disk so I can show it working and then ask if they are willing to cough up the 120 bucks an hours to dissect what the issue is. Most just wipe the OS and move on.

While you can fault me for this, I lay the blame for this one at Microsoft's doorstop since Windows ME is the least friendly of the Window versions due to the lack of even the most basic of OS checking tools. Microsoft also cancelled the RESOURCE KIT for this OS which left a gapping knowledge gap.

Again, I've repaired a lot of Windows ME issues and found a few along the way (read -> http://www.bugnet.com/alerts/bugalert_010110.html ) but to expect anyone but Microsoft to fix this with only what information is in this post is being a little too hopeful.

Let's see what's in the box?

Bob

Bob

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I don't know Danish
Apr 4, 2005 11:13PM PDT

I did look at the link you provided to the forum in Denmark. I can't read Danish but I gather someone inspected his registry and discovered a trojan he didn't know he had before.

I use CCleaner and Easy Cleaner to clean the registry frequently. And I use Mike Lin's Startup Controller to monitor what loads at bootup.

I read the link about the Symantec program that was overloading the disk with unneeded files. I don't use any Symantec software but I do keep an eye out for unneeded files and clean them out periodically (Easy Cleaner by Toni Helenius makes it easy.)

Bottom line of that article was that Symantec promised to try to fix it rather than point fingers at Microsoft.

Linksys claims that the WPC55AG works with ME. Dell sold me the WPC55AG for use in a Dell computer. I don't think I'm asking for too much when I want the product to work in the computer for which it was sold to me.

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It does work. I've used them BUT...
Apr 5, 2005 12:47AM PDT

The OS was a fairly fresh install without a firewall or much else that could trip it up.

I know where you are coming from, but since we are talking Windows ME, I can only share that since Microsoft didn't supply the tools such as SFC or the resource kit, then we have to fall back to the usual Microsoft answer of wipe, reinstall and its fixed (sometimes.)

You can fault everyone about this situation, but I agree this OS is a pain in the card slot.

Given what information you provided, there is no do-this cure.

Bob

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Windows ME
Apr 5, 2005 12:10AM PDT

Windows 98 and Mistake Edition are not exactly wireless-friendly, and may not be totally ready to accept what you're trying to do. If I understand, you didn't install the software that came with it (because of the access violation) and installed the hardware without the software.

The software that comes with is crucial because it provides the functionality to Win98/ME that is built into Windows XP and to a lesser extent, 2000. Namely, the functionality of connecting to a WiFi network.

So you need that software.

MSVCRT.DLL is the MicroSoft Visual C++ RunTime library. It probably needs to be updated . . . so run Windows Update. One of the updates might update it.

Or, try installing the software in safe mode. That *might* remove the protection from MSVCRT . . . worst case scenario you'll have to do the old-school boot disk thing and replace it in DOS. Heavens to betsy!

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Linksys says it can
Apr 5, 2005 12:59AM PDT

Linksys says the product should work with 98 and ME.

The product could not possibly run without its software installed. The error msg actually occurs whenever the app is loaded into memory.

I know what MSVCRT.DLL is and what it does. I've tried a couple of different versions to see if there would be any difference. There isn't.

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At long last!
Apr 5, 2005 1:40PM PDT

As the old saying goes, "All's well that ends well."

After all the problems I had trying to get the Linksys WPC55AG to do something useful on my Inspiron 8000, it finally works as it should.

I figured it out despite the misinformation and poor advice I got from the well meaning but ill informed tech support people at Linksys and Dell. (I mentioned that the nice lady with whom I had an online chat at Dell was a "rookie". To give you an idea of her technical competence, or lack thereof: She suggested using the Add/Remove Programs function to remove MSVCRT.DLL. When I pointed out that it was not a program but a file, she suggested deleting the file! She also recommended that I should run Mighty Max to diagnose the computer's problems.)

The problem, although the nice gentleman in Linksys second-level tech support may disagree, is the Linksys software. Although the card is definitely compatible with Windows ME, the software on the disk is definitely not.

As I've previously reported, Linksys actually has three different versions of software for this card: The one on disk called 1.2, a different one online also called 1.2 (also known as 2.4.2.33), and a third one online called 1.1.

So which of these is the right one for the job? Individually, none of the above. It takes a combination of ingredients to get the job done.

Here's what finally worked after considerable trial and error:

1. Without putting the card into the computer slot, install the CD software, and let it generate the inevitable error msg about MSVCRT.DLL.

2. Go into the directory where the software has been installed, and copy the file WLAN.INI to some other directory.

3. Uninstall the software and reboot.

4. Extract and install the 1.2 (2.4.2.33) software downloaded from the Linksys web site. (It comes in a zip file which you have to unzip to a temporary installation source directory.)

5. Shut down the computer, insert the wireless card, and boot up.

6. The computer will detect the card and look for a driver. When it asks you where it should look, specify the Drivers directory on the CD.

7. Go into the directory where the software has been installed, and copy in the WLAN.INI that you captured in step 3.

8. Reboot.

That's what got me on the air at long last. Your mileage may vary.