So, what I'm trying to do, is install winzip so that I can unzip a new piece of firmware for my Treo 650 smartphone.

Except, if I try to run the setup for winzip 11.1 it tells me that something in the system isn't working and closes.

If I then check the device manager, I can see that my external hard drive isn't connected - the device manager just says it's not working. I never connect it anyway.

If I try to remove it the removal facility/dialogue box just freezes - the only way to move on, being a restart.

The device manager also says about a second "device" not working - to whit, ......... (thats the pause while I wait for the laptop to restart - shouldn't moan really it's an elderly P2 based thinkpad)......... Intel82371AB/EB PCI Bus Master IDE Controller. What that actually does is a mystery - though I suspect it's important.

I just can't see why the system is still working if it's something as important as it sounds.

Is it just that the winzip 11.1 is too new to be supported by W98SE ?

Or should, given the error about the IDE controller, the system be showing other symptoms ?

Is it likely that this is one of those annoying "windows re-install" scenario's that get mentioned a lot around the bazaars ? Or is it more likely to be a hardware fault?

What should I be doing/looking for etc etc

regards

fatbloke