Loading the Mouse Driver First in Win98SE

On Nov 7, 8:31 pm, "Jeff Richards" <JRicha... RemoveThis @msn.com.au> wrote:
> The problem is that the line you were first given does something different
> than the line that was suggested subsequently, and I can't find any
> reference to indicate which might be correct.
>
> The first suggestion
> set mouse=c:\exshow95.exe
> (although in your case it should probably be set
> mouse=c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe) is setting a variable that will be
> used by some other process to find the exshow program. The second suggestion
> c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe
> will cause the startup procedure to execute the program, and is much more
> typical for a mouse control program. However, given that your system is
> functioning (mostly) OK without either line, I am inclined to guess that the
> first suggestion might be the more effective.
>
> Kensington doesn't seem to have any documentation available for this device.
> --
> Jeff Richards
> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)<pixtur... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> news:2b41fcc4-66e3-4210-9789-285e5c237076@w1g2000prk.googlegroups.com...
>
> > On Nov 7, 1:54 am, "Jeff Richards" <JRicha... RemoveThis @msn.com.au> wrote:
> >> The commands you have been provided with should not be implemented until
> >> you
> >> have determined the cause of the problem. To see whether or not you need
> >> to
> >> make any changes to the installation of the mouse software, go to Start /
> >> Run and enter MSCONFIG and select OK. Look at Config.SYS and
> >> AutoExec.BAT
> >> for references to the mouse or exshow. I suspect you will find that the
> >> required line is already there. If you can't figure what they are doing,
> >> then post the contents here.
>
> >> An occasional failure can be very hard to track down and fix. It is
> >> probably associated with some timing problem that means that the software
> >> doesn't identify the mouse correctly during startup, and therefore
> >> doesn't
> >> load or just inactivates itself. You could try re-installing the mouse
> >> software.
>
> >> When the problem occurs, are there any messages displayed during boot?
> >> Can
> >> you recall any changes that may have been made at about the time this
> >> problem started?
> >> --
> >> Jeff Richards
> >> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)<pixtur... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >>news:178116e2-9d94-45c3-9584-f9004e67a3bc@b31g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>
> >> > On Nov 6, 10:54 pm, "philo" <ph... RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote:
> >> >> <pixtur... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >> >>news:16b3fd08-372c-4a70-b56e-82ea8ca1ee4b@g17g2000prg.googlegroups.com...>
> >> >> On Nov 6, 4:53 pm, "Julie" <jul... RemoveThis @bellsouth.net> wrote:
> >> >> > > In your autoexec.bat file, put this command:
>
> >> >> > > set mouse=c:\exshow95.exe
>
> >> >> > > Be sure exshow95.exe is in the root directory of c: drive.
>
> >> >> > > <pixtur... RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>
> >> >>news:be0d5824-17f5-4c4e-aa7d-ee820d61e3da@u18g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
>
> >> >> > > > I am using a Kensington Web Racer as my mouse in Win98SE.
> >> >> > > > Occasionally
> >> >> > > > when 98se boots up, the driver for the Web Racer will not boot
> >> >> > > > up
> >> >> > > > along with the OS, so this great mouse becomes just another 2
> >> >> > > > button
> >> >> > > > mouse. How can I setup the boot process so that the driver for
> >> >> > > > the
> >> >> > > > Web
> >> >> > > > Racer (exshow95.exe) always boots up with 98se, preferably at
> >> >> > > > the
> >> >> > > > beginning of the process? Please make your reply easy to follow
> >> >> > > > for
> >> >> > > > this non-techie. Thanks.
>
> >> >> > Thanks Julie, exshow95.exe is in C:\windows\system. Is that the root
> >> >> > directory of the c: drive?
>
> >> >> to load exshow95.exe
>
> >> >> In autoexec.bat
>
> >> >> the entry would be simply
>
> >> >> c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe
>
> >> > Julie + Philo, which is the correct entry, I am not a techie, I don't
> >> > want to put in the wrong entry then not be able to bootup my machine.
> >> > Thanks.
>
> > Thanks Jeff. There is no line for the Web Racer in either config.sys
> > or autoexec.bat. There are no error messages when the machine boots
> > up. I think your suggestion about some timing or non-recognition issue
> > is the problem. Before I explain further, I should tell you that I
> > have AutoPatcher for Win98SE installed (my computer has never run
> > better) as well as Revolution Pack 7.11 set in Vista gui (the look of
> > Vista with the reliability of 98se). In fact, as the computer boots up
> > just before the desktop appears, there is a flashing white cursor in
> > the upper left corner of the black screen which then is followed by
> > the green light coming on in the cd burner. If the cursor stops
> > flashing before the light on the cd burner goes out (just befor the
> > desktop appears) then the Web Racer driver boots properly. If the
> > light on the cd burner goes out before the cursor stops flashing then
> > the Web Racer driver won't boot at all. However, the next time I re-
> > boot the computer, the Web Racer driver usually boots again. I
> > hesitate to re-install the Web Racer driver because it means re-
> > configuring all the settings. Bottom line, shall I try inserting the
> > "c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe" into autoexec.bat or just leave well
> > enough alone. If I insert that line will it cause me any bootup
> > problems that are going to freak me out. Thanks, Ken.

Jeff, the other thing I forgot to mention is that there is a listing
in MS Config Startup with a check in the box "exshow95 C:\WINDOWS
\SYSTEM\EXSHOW95.EXE". Also the Web Racer application icon (a square
with a big K in it) from c:\windows\system appears in Start-Programs-
Startup. Does that change your suggestion at all. Thanks, Ken

<pixturesk RemoveThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2f761785-0126-4819-8747-3c164cae7ab9@p35g2000prm.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 7, 5:02 pm, "philo" <ph... RemoveThis @privacy.net> wrote:
> > <snipped for brevity>
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > > > >> c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe
> >
> > > > > Julie + Philo, which is the correct entry, I am not a techie, I
don't
> > > > > want to put in the wrong entry then not be able to bootup my
machine.
> > > > > Thanks.
> >
> > > Thanks Jeff. There is no line for the Web Racer in either config.sys
> > > or autoexec.bat. There are no error messages when the machine boots
> > > up. I think your suggestion about some timing or non-recognition issue
> > > is the problem. Before I explain further, I should tell you that I
> > > have AutoPatcher for Win98SE installed (my computer has never run
> > > better) as well as Revolution Pack 7.11 set in Vista gui (the look of
> > > Vista with the reliability of 98se). In fact, as the computer boots up
> > > just before the desktop appears, there is a flashing white cursor in
> > > the upper left corner of the black screen which then is followed by
> > > the green light coming on in the cd burner. If the cursor stops
> > > flashing before the light on the cd burner goes out (just befor the
> > > desktop appears) then the Web Racer driver boots properly. If the
> > > light on the cd burner goes out before the cursor stops flashing then
> > > the Web Racer driver won't boot at all. However, the next time I re-
> > > boot the computer, the Web Racer driver usually boots again. I
> > > hesitate to re-install the Web Racer driver because it means re-
> > > configuring all the settings. Bottom line, shall I try inserting the
> > > "c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe" into autoexec.bat or just leave well
> > > enough alone. If I insert that line will it cause me any bootup
> > > problems that are going to freak me out. Thanks, Ken.
> >
> > If you add the line that I had mentioned, even if it does not solve your
> > problem...
> > it is not likely to keep Windows from booting. Chances are all you'd see
is
> > an error message.
> >
> > However, in the event that it would cause your system to hang...
> >
> > you can hit F8 while booting and either select safe mode
> > and re-edit from there
> > or opt for step-by-step confirmation and opt to *not* process
autoexec.bat
> > (then edit)
> >
> > But go ahead and load everything else
> >
> > Autoexec.bat can also be edited from dos
> > by using a boot floppy
>
> Thanks philo, you are confirming what I am thinking. I am in no hurry,
> will think about it. If this situation becomes a continual problem I
> will try the autoexec.bat fix. Ken.


Ok

if you modify autoexec.bat

please post back with the results

The problem is that the line you were first given does something different
than the line that was suggested subsequently, and I can't find any
reference to indicate which might be correct.

The first suggestion
set mouse=c:\exshow95.exe
(although in your case it should probably be set
mouse=c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe) is setting a variable that will be
used by some other process to find the exshow program. The second suggestion
c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe
will cause the startup procedure to execute the program, and is much more
typical for a mouse control program. However, given that your system is
functioning (mostly) OK without either line, I am inclined to guess that the
first suggestion might be the more effective.

Kensington doesn't seem to have any documentation available for this device.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
<pixturesk DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
news:2b41fcc4-66e3-4210-9789-285e5c237076@w1g2000prk.googlegroups.com...
> On Nov 7, 1:54 am, "Jeff Richards" <JRicha... DeleteThis @msn.com.au> wrote:
>> The commands you have been provided with should not be implemented until
>> you
>> have determined the cause of the problem. To see whether or not you need
>> to
>> make any changes to the installation of the mouse software, go to Start /
>> Run and enter MSCONFIG and select OK. Look at Config.SYS and
>> AutoExec.BAT
>> for references to the mouse or exshow. I suspect you will find that the
>> required line is already there. If you can't figure what they are doing,
>> then post the contents here.
>>
>> An occasional failure can be very hard to track down and fix. It is
>> probably associated with some timing problem that means that the software
>> doesn't identify the mouse correctly during startup, and therefore
>> doesn't
>> load or just inactivates itself. You could try re-installing the mouse
>> software.
>>
>> When the problem occurs, are there any messages displayed during boot?
>> Can
>> you recall any changes that may have been made at about the time this
>> problem started?
>> --
>> Jeff Richards
>> MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)<pixtur... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> news:178116e2-9d94-45c3-9584-f9004e67a3bc@b31g2000prb.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> > On Nov 6, 10:54 pm, "philo" <ph... DeleteThis @privacy.net> wrote:
>> >> <pixtur... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >>news:16b3fd08-372c-4a70-b56e-82ea8ca1ee4b@g17g2000prg.googlegroups.com...>
>> >> On Nov 6, 4:53 pm, "Julie" <jul... DeleteThis @bellsouth.net> wrote:
>> >> > > In your autoexec.bat file, put this command:
>>
>> >> > > set mouse=c:\exshow95.exe
>>
>> >> > > Be sure exshow95.exe is in the root directory of c: drive.
>>
>> >> > > <pixtur... DeleteThis @gmail.com> wrote in message
>>
>> >>news:be0d5824-17f5-4c4e-aa7d-ee820d61e3da@u18g2000pro.googlegroups.com...
>>
>> >> > > > I am using a Kensington Web Racer as my mouse in Win98SE.
>> >> > > > Occasionally
>> >> > > > when 98se boots up, the driver for the Web Racer will not boot
>> >> > > > up
>> >> > > > along with the OS, so this great mouse becomes just another 2
>> >> > > > button
>> >> > > > mouse. How can I setup the boot process so that the driver for
>> >> > > > the
>> >> > > > Web
>> >> > > > Racer (exshow95.exe) always boots up with 98se, preferably at
>> >> > > > the
>> >> > > > beginning of the process? Please make your reply easy to follow
>> >> > > > for
>> >> > > > this non-techie. Thanks.
>>
>> >> > Thanks Julie, exshow95.exe is in C:\windows\system. Is that the root
>> >> > directory of the c: drive?
>>
>> >> to load exshow95.exe
>>
>> >> In autoexec.bat
>>
>> >> the entry would be simply
>>
>> >> c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe
>>
>> > Julie + Philo, which is the correct entry, I am not a techie, I don't
>> > want to put in the wrong entry then not be able to bootup my machine.
>> > Thanks.
>
> Thanks Jeff. There is no line for the Web Racer in either config.sys
> or autoexec.bat. There are no error messages when the machine boots
> up. I think your suggestion about some timing or non-recognition issue
> is the problem. Before I explain further, I should tell you that I
> have AutoPatcher for Win98SE installed (my computer has never run
> better) as well as Revolution Pack 7.11 set in Vista gui (the look of
> Vista with the reliability of 98se). In fact, as the computer boots up
> just before the desktop appears, there is a flashing white cursor in
> the upper left corner of the black screen which then is followed by
> the green light coming on in the cd burner. If the cursor stops
> flashing before the light on the cd burner goes out (just befor the
> desktop appears) then the Web Racer driver boots properly. If the
> light on the cd burner goes out before the cursor stops flashing then
> the Web Racer driver won't boot at all. However, the next time I re-
> boot the computer, the Web Racer driver usually boots again. I
> hesitate to re-install the Web Racer driver because it means re-
> configuring all the settings. Bottom line, shall I try inserting the
> "c:\windows\system\exshow95.exe" into autoexec.bat or just leave well
> enough alone. If I insert that line will it cause me any bootup
> problems that are going to freak me out. Thanks, Ken.

That indicates that neither of the suggested changes is required, so that
line of possibilities seems to be a dead end.

ExShow95 appears to be the device manager, while the WebRacer application is
giving you the enhanced functionality. With that arrangement, they should
both be up and running when Windows starts.
--
Jeff Richards
MS MVP (Windows - Shell/User)
<pixturesk.RemoveThis@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:256600ec-89e2-4ff5-a8e3-c319a0b96848@l33g2000pri.googlegroups.com...
> snip <
>
> Jeff, the other thing I forgot to mention is that there is a listing
> in MS Config Startup with a check in the box "exshow95 C:\WINDOWS
> \SYSTEM\EXSHOW95.EXE". Also the Web Racer application icon (a square
> with a big K in it) from c:\windows\system appears in Start-Programs-
> Startup. Does that change your suggestion at all. Thanks, Ken

On Nov 8, 3:31 am, Franc Zabkar <fzab....RemoveThis@iinternode.on.net> wrote:
> On Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:54:59 -0800 (PST), "pixtur...@gmail.com"
> <pixtur....RemoveThis@gmail.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:
>
> >Jeff, the other thing I forgot to mention is that there is a listing
> >in MS Config Startup with a check in the box "exshow95 C:\WINDOWS
> >\SYSTEM\EXSHOW95.EXE". Also the Web Racer application icon (a square
> >with a big K in it) from c:\windows\system appears in Start-Programs-
> >Startup. Does that change your suggestion at all. Thanks, Ken
>
> On those occasions when the mouse application/driver fails to load,
> can you get it to start by going to Start-Programs-Startup and
> clicking on the Web Racer application?
>
> If so, then you may be able to work around your timing (?) problem by
> creating a WebRacer.BAT file consisting of the following lines:
>
> @echo off
> rem | choice /T:Y,5 > nul
> start "web_racer_app's_filespec" <-- actual file name goes here
>
> Put a shortcut to this BAT file in your Programs\Startup group and
> move the old shortcut to a backup directory.
>
> The above .BAT routine should insert a delay of 5 seconds before
> launching Web Racer.
>
> You will need to identify the actual file name for the Web Racer app.
> I'm assuming that there are indeed two different apps, as Jeff
> suggested.
>
> - Franc Zabkar
> --
> Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.

Thanks Franc. When the problem occurs again I will try clicking on
that "K" icon in the Programs-Startup group see what happens. The
problem has not even come up in the previous few bootups, figures!! I
have never made a .BAT file, I am not that much of a techie but where
you say "actual file name here" I will put the name that is in Startup
in MS Config which is "exshow95.exe", I assume that is the one, I
think it is the only one. Web Racer is the actual commercial name of
the mouse, so the other must be the actual device name. I will report
back on what success I have.

On Fri, 7 Nov 2008 19:54:59 -0800 (PST), "pixturesk@gmail.com"
<pixturesk.RemoveThis@gmail.com> put finger to keyboard and composed:

>Jeff, the other thing I forgot to mention is that there is a listing
>in MS Config Startup with a check in the box "exshow95 C:\WINDOWS
>\SYSTEM\EXSHOW95.EXE". Also the Web Racer application icon (a square
>with a big K in it) from c:\windows\system appears in Start-Programs-
>Startup. Does that change your suggestion at all. Thanks, Ken

On those occasions when the mouse application/driver fails to load,
can you get it to start by going to Start-Programs-Startup and
clicking on the Web Racer application?

If so, then you may be able to work around your timing (?) problem by
creating a WebRacer.BAT file consisting of the following lines:

@echo off
rem | choice /T:Y,5 > nul
start "web_racer_app's_filespec" <-- actual file name goes here

Put a shortcut to this BAT file in your Programs\Startup group and
move the old shortcut to a backup directory.

The above .BAT routine should insert a delay of 5 seconds before
launching Web Racer.

You will need to identify the actual file name for the Web Racer app.
I'm assuming that there are indeed two different apps, as Jeff
suggested.

- Franc Zabkar
--
Please remove one 'i' from my address when replying by email.