My USB mouse works fine on my computer but I can not add any other USB devices without my my mouse freezing up. The problem is with the comparability of my Via Tech 3038 driver. I have tried updating this driver and the chip set with no success. Someone suggested that via chipsets work to a slightly different standard (OHCI) to the main standard (UHCI) (when will manufacturers get their bloody act together!) which gives insurmountable compatibility issues. This person recommends that I buy a new PCI USB card that works to the UHCI std. What is a PCI USB card? Is it very expensive and does anyone think this would solve all my USB problems? I am planning on adding a scanner, digital camera, and a new printer in the future.

Check VIA Tech USB for their current USB driver install package. But I do not think it will have any effect on your problem. The drivers that come with Windows ME should work just fine. Do you have a powered USB hub??? The problem could be that the devices you are hooking up draw too much power on the interface and kill the mouse. This was a problem with the older chip sets. They did not provide enough power (+5v). A powered hub would cost $20-$30 and would supply additional power. Actually a PCI USB card would not cost much more. But get a PCI USB-2 as it would be faster. You might just need it for the other devices anyway. In addition, this would allow you to keep the mouse on the existing USB port and connect the other devices off of the new card. (For what it is worth, I would recommend getting a PS/2 mouse if your system has a plug for it. They work better. And you don't have this problems. Some USB mice come with a PS/2 plug adapter also.)

I heard from someone that Windows ME does not support a USB 2.0 adapter. I am thinking about buying a PCI card with dual capability firewire/USB hub. Is this a good idea? Will Windowns ME support my advance in technology?