Over the years, I have upgraded several times. I buy new hardware/software, install it in my computer, pass my mother board, CPU, and memory down to my wife's computer, and then pass what was in hers down to my daughter's computer.Some weeks ago, after I did this, all three went flawlessly with the following exception. I retained the existing harddrives as is in each computer. The only hardware added to both my wife's and daughter's computers were CDRW drives and new graphics cards. . I removed the sound card from my wife's computer and went with the onboard sound. (The removed devices do not show up under hardware devices anymore either)On my wife's computer, under device manager, I have an unknown device which comes up with the old yellow question mark. I have deleted this item, but on bootup, it always is reinstalled. I have no idea what it is. I removed all hardware from the computer with the exception of the video card and it still appears. Everything works, and I see no harm. Is there any way to identify what this device is supposed to be?In the past few days, I upgraded from dialup internet service to high speed cable (Unbelievable). My computer is operating off of Windows XP Pro. My wife's and daughter's computers have Windows 98 Second Edition.Again, my quirk is with my wife's computer, the same one with the unknown device listing in the hardware devices. Somewhere along the line in installing my Ethernet drivers, I apparently deleted something, but have no idea how. On startup, I started getting error messages relative to vredir.vxd, dfs.vxd, and msnp32.dll.I ran Norton WinDoctor and it fixed the vredir.vxd and dfs.vxd problem, and I do not see this error message any more. I still get the following message on bootup though: "Windows NetworkingUnable to load the dynamic link library.MSNP32.dllThe system cannot find the file specified.Some or all of the following feature is not availableMicrosoft Network".I can press enter, go on with the bootup, and everything seems to work without any problems. Nothing is missing that I have found (So Far).I have tried adding "EVERYTHING" that was not originally installed off of the Windows 98 Second Edition CD to no avail. I may try removing some of the WIN98 installation options and reinstalling to see if a partial deletion of some of these features is the problem.Any ideas?Thanks and Merry ChristmasRTH

Some progress of a sort (after a fashion).I managed to get rid of the "Windows Networking" error window during startup. 1. I inserted my win98se cd, checked add and delete programs.2. Removed all communications and internet tools options.3. Restarted my computer and still had the error message on bootup.4. Again went into the checked add and delete programs from win98se.5. Added Internet Connection sharing6. No sign of the error message when I restarted my computer. BUT:During bootup I now get an Enter Network Password window which asks for a user name and password. After bootup, I also have an Network Neighborhood Icon on my desktop. I was never asked for, or entered a password in any procedure. 7. Went back into adding and deleting programs on the win98se8. Removed the checkmark for added internet connection sharing9. Restarted the computer and saw no change. Password window remains.I can just hit enter and continue the bootup (just like the removed error window), and she boots up fine, Everything seems to work including internet and email service. The Network Neighborhood Icon has no delete selection when right clicked.Note: I really am not interested in networking the three computers in the sense of being able to share printers, look at each others harddrives and files etc. My only purpose is to be able to have parallel internet access at the same time through my router. I left those options unchecked during my setup of the Ethernet routing.The easiest thing to do is just ignore it I guess, and continue normal operation, but I am curious as to why this is present, and why I cannot get rid of it. Thanks:RTH

Right click the Network Neighborhood, select properties. On the Configuration tab, Primary Network Logon:, change the logon to Microsoft Family Logon or Windows Logon.Since you are on the Network setup, check to see if you want to add any clients, protocols, adapters, services. For my LAN system, I have the following:Client for Microsoft NetworksMicrosoft Family LogonDial-Up Adapter - only if you have a modem attachedNetwork Adapter - only if you have a network interface card (NIC)IPX/SPX-compatible Protocol - I use this protocol for internal LAN traffic. You will have multiple entries for modems and NICs.NetBEUI - Multiple entries for modems/NICsNETBIOS - support for IPX/SPX-compatible ProtocolTCP/IP - Needed for internet. Multiple entries for modems/NICsFile and printer sharing for Microsoft NetworksIf you have file and printer sharing, open each TCP/IP, bindings tab and deselect file and printer sharing, unless you only use TCP/IP vice IPX/SPX.Once you add/change anything on these pages and click OK, you will need Win98SE CD so it can add software, unless you have entire Win98SE on your hardrive.You can also change your computer LAN name under the Identification tab. Access Control can be changed but I recommend leaving it to the default settings for a home LAN.After you reboot, a Windows Logon Password window may appear. If you don't type anything into this window, the next time you boot, you shouldn't see the password window.W. Sieffert

Thank you W.S. for the kind reply.I switched to Windows Logon (Was Client for Microsoft Networks) and the password window was not there on my next bootup.Unfortunately, each solution seems to always bring on another glitch.I then found that when I click on my outlook express icon to initiate email, I get an "Unknown Error" error message, and email stays on "checking mail" with no result.I added Microsoft Family Logon, and got the same results when this option was selected.Went back to Client for Microsoft Networks and of course my password window reappeared, but outlook express/email worked fine. What do I need to change in my outlook express selections now?Thanks for your help.RTH

Right-click the Internet Explorer Icon, select Properties or Internet Properties, select the Programs tab, and check to see what email and newsgroups program is selected. If it isn't Outlook Express, change them to Outlook Express.Next change the logon to Windows Family Logon, reboot the computer, recheck the Internet Explorer properties as above and make sure Outlook Express is selected. Close properties, try opening Outlook Express. If it still doesn't want to open, return to Microsoft Client..., reboot.Open Outlook Express, press tools, accounts, Mail tab, click properties and review what is set. Also check under File, Identities, Manage Identities, and review if you have a password set.W. Sieffert

Tried all suggestions here and elsewhere.Family logon at times would work once or twice, but then I got my error messages again. The only thing that seemed to work consistently was ms logon, and a few days ago, my wife started to get the unknown error message even on that. (Not a happy wife).Broke down and reinstalled Win98SE. Family logon now seems to work flawlessly (for the last two or three days at least).Hopefully the problem is solved.Thanks for your help.RTH