Microsoft KB Archive/277880

{|
 * width="100%"|

PRB: SmartCard Limitations on Windows 98 and Windows ME

 * }

Q277880

-

The information in this article applies to:


 * Microsoft Windows 98 Driver Development Kit (DDK)

-

SYMPTOMS
On a Microsoft Windows 98 or Microsoft Windows ME-based computer, SmartCard devices may exhibit the following behavior:


 * When first installed, a SmartCard device may not be recognized by the Windows 98 or Windows ME SmartCard Resource Manager. You must restart the computer to allow the Resource Manager to recognize the device.
 * Unplugging a SmartCard reader while the operating system is running may cause Windows to stop responding (hang). This limitation includes USB and PCMCIA SmartCard devices. Note that you must never plug or unplug a device connected to a PS/2 port while the computer is running because hardware damage may occur.

CAUSE
The Windows 98 and Windows ME SmartCard Resource Manager starts when the computer is started as a service that is specified in the registry, not through Plug and Play. The Resource Manager is not synchronized to the Configuration Manager, the manager of the PnP subsystem, which is why you must restart the computer when you install a SmartCard device.

Hot unplugging is not supported due to limitations in Windows 98 and Windows ME PnP functionality pertaining to device notifications.