Downloading the ESS Distribution File

Click here to download the ESS Distribution File that you will use to create the ESS device driver diskette.

Specify a destination (or target) for this downloaded file on your hard file rather than on a diskette.

You might want to print a copy of this document so that you can reference it when you are creating the device driver diskette and installing the device driver.

Creating the Device Driver Diskette

  1. Have an empty diskette ready.
  2. Click Start.
  3. Click Run.
  4. Enter: d:\path\esswin14 and follow the instructions on your screen.
Note: d:\path should be replaced by the drive and path where you downloaded the ESS distribution file (filename=esswin14.exe). The command you type in this step will put the ESS device driver files onto a diskette.

Installing the Device Driver for ESS 688, 1688, 1868, 1878, 1888

  1. Click Start, Settings; click Control Panel.
  2. Double click System; click the Device Manager tab.
  3. Double click Sound, video and game controllers.
  4. Click each ESS driver listed and click the Remove button. If you get a message box asking you if you want to restart the computer, click the No button.
  5. Click Start, Settings, click MS-DOS Prompt.
  6. Enter: cd \windows\system
  7. Enter: del es*.drv
  8. Enter: del es*.vxd
  9. Enter: cd \windows\inf\other If you get an "Invalid directory" message, skip step 10.
  10. Enter: del ess*.inf
  11. Restart your computer (by clicking Start, Shutdown...). When the computer restarts, depending on which version of Windows 95, you have one of three different dialog boxes will appear. Use one of the three following procedures depending on which dialog box appears.

If the Update Device Driver Wizard dialog box appears:

  1. Reinsert the device driver diskette.
  2. Click Next.
  3. Click Finish.
  4. When the Insert Disk dialog box appears, click OK.
  5. If you get an error message similar to "The file ... could not be found." Ignore the message, type a: in the text entry field, and click OK. The installation will continue to completion. When the installation completes, remove the device driver diskette. Do not perform either of the next two procedures.

If the New Hardware Found dialog box appears containing a set of radio buttons:

  1. Insert the device driver diskette.
  2. If it is not already selected, click the radio button next to "Driver from disk provided by hardware manufacturer."
  3. Click OK.
  4. When the Install from Disk dialog box appears, make sure that A:\ is in the text entry box.
  5. Click OK. The installation will continue to completion. When it completes, remove the device driver diskette. Do not perform the following procedure.

If a New Hardware Found message box appears overlaid with an Insert Disk message box:

  1. Insert the device driver diskette.
  2. Click OK.
  3. If you get an error message similar to "The file ... could not be found." Ignore the message, type a: in the text entry field, and click OK. The installation will continue to completion. When the installation completes, remove the device driver diskette.