How to Install NDIS 2 Network Card Drivers That Are Not Listed

Article ID: 121542 - View products that this article applies to.
This article was previously published under Q121542
IMPORTANT: This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, you should first make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat). Both are hidden files in the Windows folder.
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SUMMARY

This article lists the steps necessary to install an NDIS 2 network interface card (NIC) driver that is not listed as a choice in the Select Device dialog box and does not have an Oemsetup.inf file. If you have any questions regarding these steps, consult the manufacturer of your network card.

MORE INFORMATION

To complete these steps, you must first have the NDIS 2 network card driver. If Microsoft does not provide a driver for your card, contact the card manufacturer.
  1. Click the Start button, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.
  2. Double-click the Network icon.
  3. Click Add, click Adapter, then click Add.
  4. Insert the manufacturer-supplied driver disk, and click the Have Disk button.
  5. Select the correct NDIS 2 driver, click OK, click the driver in the list of installed network components, and click Properties.

    NOTE: If the driver cannot be found, browse in the NDIS or LanMan folders and look for files with a .dos extension.
  6. Click the Driver Type tab, click "Real mode (16-bit) NDIS driver," then click OK.
  7. After you click OK a second time, you are prompted with the following message:
    Please shut down and restart the computer for your changes to take effect.
    Click OK a third time, but do not restart your system.
After you complete the above steps, a Protocol.ini file is created in your Windows 95 directory. The configuration settings (IRQ, I/O address, and so on) for your network card must be manually set in this Protocol.ini file. The Protocol.ini file that is created contains the following blank section: 
   []
   DriverName=
To successfully use the network, you must manually insert the proper section heading, driver name, and any other necessary lines to configure your network card (such as the IRQ, I/O address, and so on). An example for an Intel EtherExpress 16 set for real mode is: 
   [EXP16$]
   DriverName=EXP16$
   transceiver=Twisted-Pair (TPE)
   iochrdy=Late
   ioaddress=0x300
   irq=10
After you fill out the Protocol.ini file, you must add the name of the network card driver (<DriverName>.DOS) to the registry. To add the driver name to the registry, add the string value 
   netcard
to the following entry in the registry: 
   HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ 
   Network\Real Mode Net
Set the new value to your network card driver name (with the .DOS extension).

For example, for the Intel EtherExpress card, the value is: 
   exp16.dos
NOTE: For information about how to edit the registry, view the Changing Keys And Values online Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe). Note that you should make a backup copy of the registry files (System.dat and User.dat) before you edit the registry.

WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall Windows 95. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

Finally, make sure the Autoexec.bat file contains the command NET START. This line (C:\WINDOWS\NET START) loads the NDIS 2 network card driver and protocol drivers, then it binds them together.

Properties

Article ID: 121542 - Last Review: November 15, 2006 - Revision: 1.1
APPLIES TO
  • Microsoft Windows 95
Keywords: 
KB121542
Retired KB Content Disclaimer
This article was written about products for which Microsoft no longer offers support. Therefore, this article is offered "as is" and will no longer be updated.
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