WIN98 networking error

.... probably more of a user error :-) ... but ...

I've been in WINXP so long I've lost touch with WIN98, I have a laptop in the office that used to 'see' the network, nothing in the office has changed - everything else in the office is still networked fine. On this particular laptop, a user downloaded some MS updates and now his laptop is no longer accessing the network- and he's getting an error message box on bootup:

MICROSOFT NETWORKING - the following error occurred while loading protocol number 1. error 254:

- with an 'OK' button in the box. When you click 'OK' it finishes bootup but without access to the network. All other apps on the laptop function, outside of those dependent on the network. I have looked at the network settings and they appear to be correct, I have tried removing the device and reinstalling the protocols. It is a simple TCP/IP network connection.

Any suggestions (except the obvious, "Don't patch what ain't broke" ) Thanks !

bh

In article <(E-Mail Removed)>, "bh"
<(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>... probably more of a user error :-) ... but ...
>
>I've been in WINXP so long I've lost touch with WIN98, I have a laptop in
>the office that used to 'see' the network, nothing in the office has
>changed - everything else in the office is still networked fine. On
>this particular laptop, a user downloaded some MS updates and
>now his laptop is no longer accessing the network- and he's getting
>an error message box on bootup:
>
>MICROSOFT NETWORKING - the following error occurred while
>loading protocol number 1. error 254:
>
>- with an 'OK' button in the box. When you click 'OK' it finishes
>bootup but without access to the network. All other apps on the laptop
>function, outside of those dependent on the network. I have looked at
>the network settings and they appear to be correct, I have tried removing
>the device and reinstalling the protocols. It is a simple TCP/IP network
>connection.
>
>Any suggestions (except the obvious, "Don't patch what ain't broke" ) Thanks !
>
>bh

Look at the list of network components and see if these are installed:

Client for NetWare Networks
IPX/SPX protocol

If they are, and if the computer doesn't need them, remove them.

If the computer needs them, please see this Microsoft Knowledge Base
article for a likely solution:

Problems After Modifying Maximum Connections or Sockets Value
http://support.microsoft.com/support.../q142/4/89.asp
--
Best Wishes,
Steve Winograd, MS-MVP (Windows Networking)

Please post any reply as a follow-up message in the news group
for everyone to see. I'm sorry, but I don't answer questions
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Microsoft Most Valuable Professional - Windows Networking
http://mvp.support.microsoft.com

Steve Winograd's Networking FAQ
http://www.bcmaven.com/networking/faq.htm