I have a problem with win98 particularily the add new hardware wizard finding my CDROM. the CDROM is a IDE cdrom running the C:\CDROMDRV\ATAPICD.SYS driver in the config.sys. Documentation says that for win98 no mscdex is required in the autoexec.bat but without it I cannot use the cdrom, but with it I get windows is running in compatibility mode due to a unrecognised real mode driver installed. the system is slow.
I have a done several things and no luck.
Removed entries in the config.sys and autoexec and rebooted and run hardware wizard no luck.
Left the entry in the config.sys rebooted and run hardware wizard no luck.
Left both entries in and system run in compatibility mode.

Any suggestions to get me out of this catch 22 situation.

Check Control Panel, System, Device Manager. My bet is you have an exclamation point next to your IDE controller. Until you get rid of that error, you will need to run in DOS mode.

Let me know if I'm right or wrong so we can get you fixed up.

You may need an updated driver for your CD-ROM. Have you checked the web site of the manufacture? I have a friend who recently purchased a Panasonic CD-ROM drive. In Device Manager it would show the drive as a Matsushita, which throw him a curve. He finally figured he needed a new driver from Panasonic FTP site. But at the time the FTP site was down and he had to retry for days before he could get it. So don't give up.

Good luck. Dan-O

Both the primary PCI controller and the secondary PCI controller have question marks against them. They are part of a I have deleted the Opti Opti 826612A or Viper M/N PCI IDE dual PCI controller. I have deleted the dual PCI controller and then rebooted and it has reinstalled the controller and still has the question marks against the primary and secondary controllers.

Backup the registry files for Windozze (System.dat and User.dat)
Go to Start|Run and type in REGEDIT .. Then
locate the NOIDE entry down the following folder branch:

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE > SYSTEM > CURRENTCONTROLSET > SERVICES > VXD > IOS

Click on the NOIDE entry on the right side of the regedit program and hit delete.
Confirm your deletion and exit the program.
Reboot and Windozze should automatically redetect the protected mode drivers.

I hope this helps

Thanks Robert and everyone else that helped. removing the NoIDE setting worked wounders. I now have have my cdrom, disk drives ( before only the floppy disk was listed under disks in device manager) recognised by windows and no compatibility mode listing anywhere. Thanks again and you have proved the worth of the Tech Support Guy. Thanks.

Now I just need someone to call me Robert and life will be great...

Closing this one down since it is solved.