[bettei]

I have an older Sony laptop PCG-F340 with Win98SE, and something is not compatable with the Linksys adapter model WPC54G. In the last two weeks I have talked at length with the Techs from Linksys and my IP, and they just blame each other for this problem, but nobody has the answer for me. I have a Speadstream modem 6520 with DSL service.
OK, here goes...When I get the adapter installed, I get odhost caused invalid page fault in module odservice. DLL at 0167:0190b12a. I have downloaded and installed the driver from Linksys as they told me, but message appears and computer runs like molasses and sometimes stalls out. After MANY talks with them, they said it is my Sony windows program that is at fault, it is lacking something to support the driver.
I completely wiped out the hard drive and ran the system recovery disks to get the computer back to when it was new, since the Window program is contained in those disks. Same problem when I go to install the adapter. Contacted Sony, and they said my Win98SE that comes with the computer should support it if Linksys says the adapter works with 98SE...mine is no different.
So... I started over AGAIN with recovery disks, and hooked up my laptop to my modem with a USB cord to download any updates Sony might have to fix this driver problem. So far I have only gone to Microsoft to download any security updates for windows, and downloaded, but not installed yet updates from Sony, a hard disk firmware ver. upgrade utility. Not sure what to do next, since there is no support from either Sony or Microsoft on this issue without paying, and with an older laptop I don't know if it is worth putting anymore money in it than the $60. I have spent for this worthless adapter.
So...I only have the Macafee virus that came with the computer running at this time. I know that sometimes those programs can interfere with downloads, so I haven't downloaded any other security programs until the issue is fixed.
My question is this, should I proceed with the firmware installation from Sony and all their updates available for my Sony model, then try to install adapter again? Or is there a way to update my 98SE to XP version, and maybe this problem wouldn't appear? I have googled the question on how to do this, but get no real answer on how to do this, or even if it is possible. Will it be safe to download without current virus protection? I am not very experienced with computers.
Or should I just accept the fact that it won't work, and see if I can get a refund for the adapter, and junk the laptop?

[Advertisements]

Is this close to anything you have already done to install?

http://www.linksys.c...3&ssbinary=true

[Retired Tech]

Is this close to anything you have already done to install?

http://www.linksys.c...3&ssbinary=true

[bettei]

Yes, I have had the techs from both Linksys and my IP walk me through the process of installing, and I can get it installed. The problem is after it is installed I get the "odhost error, illegal action, must be shut down" etc. It has been installed/uninstalled several times.
If I knew what it is specifically my laptop is lacking that is making this thing uncompatable, it would help. Do you think updating from Sony is a good idea, or is a hard disk drive firmware upgrade a useless thing to do?

[Retired Tech]

See how this goes

This will rebuild the registry and also replace missing or corrupt system files

Boot the PC and keep tapping F8 right after the beep until you get options, select command prompt only, give it a minute to arrive at the prompt with a flashing cursor then type scanreg.exe /fix then press enter, it will run through a few screens then say registry repaired. Press enter then press ctrl + alt + delete keys together to reboot.

When Windows has loaded, click start, all programmes, accessories, system tools, system information, tools then run system file checker and replace any files it asks for from the 98SE CD then reboot.

When it has loaded to the desktop, click start, programmes accessories, system tools to run disc clean up, then run disc defragmenter from system tools

This part is optional

Download, install and run Tune Up 2006 Trial

Run Tune Up disc clean up

Run Tune Up registry clean up

Click Optimize and Improve to run Reg Defrag, the screen will lose colour during the process which can take a few minutes and then needs a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to optimize the computer, select computer with an internet connection from the drop down menu, this also requires a reboot

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to accelerate downloads, select the speed just above your actual connection speed, this requires a reboot.

After the reboot, click optimize then system optimizer to run system advisor

[bettei]

Thank you very much, at least you have given me some hope with things to try. I followed all your suggestions, and will try to reinstall the adapter tommorrow.
This is probably a dumb question, but how do I upgrade my windows... besides doing what I already do, and that is download any security updates and service packs?
I don't know of anything else to do to upgrade, could you explain exactly how if could do this?

[Retired Tech]

You can only update windows with what is available from windows updates

I would think the error you are getting is a file error not a hardware error

Obviously throwing money at it and changing the operating system would be one way, but not necessarily the best way here

What do Sony say for the cost of the upgrades they have offered

[bettei]

That's just the problem...no free support from Sony. I could send it in to a Sony repair and hope they could find the problem but it might be throwing more money after bad with a 5 or 6 year old laptop.
The downloads for this model are free on their website when you type in the model and serial #. I just don't see by reading the list if any of the downloads would help.
There is one update called "notebook control device driver update utility, but it says it is to be used for ME, which I don't have.
Believe me, if I was told that this adapter is so tricky to get working on 98SE, I would never have bought it. What a headache it has been when I only wanted to use the laptop to go online sitting in my lazyboy once in a while!

[Retired Tech]

Have you asked the shop if they will take this one back and possibly install one for 98SE

[bettei]

Have you asked the shop if they will take this one back and possibly install one for 98SE

I don't understand your question....98SE comes with the laptop, it is in the recovery disks. Any only an authorized repair place can work on Sonys, so it would involve shipping it away.

And another question, if I got a copy of a newer version of Windows cd from someone, could a person update your computer that way?

[Retired Tech]

Will the shop you got the adapter from swap it for one which will work with 98SE easier than this one

You would not be able to install from a borrowed copy of windows

[bettei]

Well, I am giving it one more try before I return it. I installed the card again....got a signal, but when I opened IE, got page unable to be displayed. Turned off my modem and recycled it. got a wireless light to appear, but couldn't connect to internet. Good news is that I haven't gotten the "odhost" error SO far.
Linksys has horrible hold times for support, maybe you can answer this. I downloaded the driver from them they say it needs and it is on my desktop in a winzip file. I thought I opened it and sent it to my c drive, but I don't think it is actually installed. Does not appear in my device manager. The winzip wizard does not work to install this, and instructions are really confusing. Could you tell me how to unzip and install this driver?

[Retired Tech]

When you use winzip wizard and it shows you where it will unzip to, change the location to my documents, open the folder it gives you and you can install it from there

[bettei]

Of course I have a file where it isn't that easy. The wizard won't work for that particular file, it tells me to go to actions and that's where it is confusing.

[Retired Tech]

Have you got a download link for the file

[bettei]

I can't get the file attached...sorry. I bring it up by browsing below, get it highlighted, and then nothing but the computer dinging at me.


anyway you can find it at Linksys.com/downloads/browse products to WPC54G Ver. 3. Then that page beings you to the driver.

Sorry I am not more help to you.

Edited by bettei, 21 May 2006 - 08:22 AM.