MN730 and Win98

I'm running Win 98, MSBBN with an MN730 and MN700.

MN730 to MN700 is wireless, not ethernet. Cable modem
into MN700, earthlink ISP.

MNBBN and MN700 firmware were both updated after
installing them.

I had attempted to upgrade to Win XP but at the last step
when it started up XP MSBBN would not load since the
software had been updated. The MSBBN Update process
includes a nasty batch file that deletes all of the files
the first time you reboot after installing them
to "cleanup". Likewise, MSBBN would not install off of
the CD since it was an older version. I had not expected
the trouble, had ignored the watnings, andf had not
written down all of the network settings so manual
reconfiguration was not going to involve numerous tech
support calls. I opted to reverse the WinXP installation
and restore Win 98. That appeared to go fine although it
also appeared that the original Win 98, SE and no MS
Updates were included. The version information no longer
said SE or SP-1 or SP-2. (I wrote down the network
settings this time). Now for the problem...

After about a week of running this way and having the
Win98 problems of the past (DTOLE errors, not shutting
down, etc.) it eventually locked up and would not reboot.
After going thorugh a\several hours of sequential boot up
sequential troubleshooting, I was able to isolate the boot
problem to the NDIS.VXD static device. This then led me
to the MN730. If I go into Safe Mode I can diable the
MN730 and then reboot and it works. I can then re-enable
the MN730 and all is fine until I shut down. Win98 will
not reboot with the MN730 enabled. I suspect that the
restoration of Win98 is using an out of date NDIS.VXD
file.

I only want to get Win98 stable enough to install XP. I
have copied the latest MSBBN files into another folder
before they were "Cleaned up".

I realize that I can now proceed with the 98 to XP upgrade
by removing the MN730 both physiaclly and from device
manager and then reinstallig after XP installs. I plan to
do an upgrade, not a clean install. Will the NDIS (or
whatever else the problem is be solved or carried over
into XP?

Soory for the length