Click on the My Coputer with the right mouse button. Open properties and delete all the USB, COM ports and exit. Shut down and wait 15 seconds to restart. When you restart, all your original ports will be restored automatically. If you are an advanced user, you can go through the SETUP and correct the problems. This is not an unheard of problem. How this happens is a different story. Good luck.

ashokj@worldnet.att.net

Thanks, for the advice. Would you know the best BIOS settings for the ports? ie. I have a choice of "Auto" or "On" for Com1, and "378h", "Auto", etc. for LPT1. I'm trying all combinations. I think my USR modem may need a Win98 driver update too.