API-TOOL(WDM) is made in compliance with Windows Driver Model(WDM) recommended by Microsoft. It was introduced from Windows 98, Windows 2000.
It was first released in January 2002 and provides OS support and development tool support.
We have provided API-TOOL(98/PC) driver software since 1998, before WDM was announced by Microsoft.
We recommend using the latest WDM-compliant API-TOOL(WDM).
The old driver API-TOOL(98/PC) can be downloaded from CONTEC homepage.
We do not plan to support new OS or new devices in the future, but please use it as necessary.
Q1: What is the difference between API-TOOL(WDM) and API-TOOL(98/PC) ?
A: The main difference is the usage of functions for accessing boards. Furthermore, please note that there are also differences in supported OS and language.
Q2: Is API-TOOL(WDM) a driver compatible with API-TOOL(98/PC) ?
A: No, both drivers are not compatible. Please use API-TOOL(98/PC) for an existing system. And API-TOOL(WDM) is recommend when you want to develop a new system or to change the boards.
Q3: Which driver should be used ?
A: Please confirm whether the environment you want to use is supported by each driver. API-TOOL(WDM) is recommended when both drivers can be used.
Q4: Can API-TOOL(98/PC) that is being used currently be changed to API-TOOL(WDM) ? (How about the opposite case ?)
A: Yes. Uninstall the current driver being used, then install the new driver.
Q5: Can both drivers be used for a certain board at the same time ?
A: No. One board can only use one driver. It is necessary to uninstall the current driver to change it to the other.
Q6： Is API-TOOL(98/PC) unsupported in the future ?
A: Basically, the new OS and hardware to be released in the future are supported only with API-TOOL(WDM), so we recommend using API-TOOL(WDM) unless you are using an existing system.
Q7: How to migrate from API-TOOL(98/PC) ?
When you want to use API-TOOL(WDM) in the environment where API-TOOL(98/PC) is being used, please execute the following operation before installing a device.
If you install the device without doing this, the OS may automatically connect the device with API-TOOL(98/PC).
And, the case of OS not supported by API-TOOL (WDM) is also described as reference information.
※ Please pay attention that do not operate by mistake or delete important files.
Delete registered devices from Device Manager.
Delete the hardware registered in "Multi-functional adapters" (or "Multifunction adapters") described above.
※ You can delete a device by either selecting [Remove] from the pop-up menu by right-clicking on it, or pressing the DEL key.
Delete the INF file
The INF file is copied to the following subdirectory in "Windows" folder.
If the INF file exists, the driver will be automatically installed even by removed once. Please delete it.
Windows Me/98
Delete the following files if they exist in the folder of Windows\Inf\Other.
API-AIO(98/PC): CONTECAio__pi0.inf、CONTECAio__pm0.inf
API-CNT(98/PC): CONTECCnt__pi0.inf、CONTECCnt_cb1.inf
API-DIO(98/PC): CONTECDio_pi0.inf、CONTECDio_cb0.inf、CONTECDio_pm0.inf
OS other than Windows Me/98
Delete the corresponding files from the following files exist in the folder of Windows\Inf or Winnt\Inf.
oem*.inf、oem*.pnf （* is an arbitrary number）
On the OS other than Windows Me/98, the INF file is copied by Windows with name changed.
Therefore, please confirm the contents before deleting a file.
If all of the oem*.* files are deleted, the INF file is required for reinstalling the hardware. (It is not only limited to CONTEC hardware)
However, if there are only oem1.* files, delete them.
How to confirm the INF file
1). Open files of oem*.inf using notepad (NOTEPAD.EXE) or others.
2). Confirm whether the following strings exist in [version] section.
Class=MultiFunction
provider=%CONTEC%
3). Confirm that the hardware being used is recorded in [strings] section.
4). Delete files after finishing the above confirmation
Restart Windows.
When the hardware is detected again, install API-TOOL(WDM) referring to Installing Device.
Clear the check box of media drives for specifying search locations.
API-AIO(98/PC) may be reinstalled if media drives is checked.
・Windows Me/98 and so on
Q8: Device cannot be installed
Usually, it does not happen that the device cannot be installed, here is the explanation for cases before when it does not work.
And, the case of OS not supported by API-TOOL (WDM) is also described as reference information.
Do not have the the authority to install a device
Please install a device with administrator (Administrator) authority.
And you will be failed in installing a device by other authorities.
The device is identified as "Other devices" or "Multi-functional adapters"
API-TOOL(98/PC) might be installed when you install a device by mistake.
Moreover, the device is identified as "Other devices" when you cancelled the operation during installing a device.
In that case, please first uninstall the driver being installed, then install API-TOOL(WDM).
How to distinguish the driver being installed
Start Device Manager.
The device has been installed normally.
API-TOOL(98/PC) is being installed.
"Multifunction adapters" is shown on Windows XP/2000.
"Multi-function adapters" is shown on Windows Me/98.
Device installation is failed.
How to remove the driver of API-TOOL(98/PC)
※ Please note that do not operate by mistake or delete important files.
1. Delete registered devices from Device Manager.
Delete the hardware registered in "Multi-functional adapters" (or "Multifunction adapters") described above.
※ You can delete a device by either selecting [Remove] from the pop-up menu by right-clicking on it, or pressing the DEL key.
2. Delete the INF file.
The INF file is copied to the following subdirectory in "Windows" folder.
If the INF file exists, the driver will be automatically installed even by removed once. Please delete it.
Windows Me/98
Delete the following files if they exist in the folder of Windows\Inf\Other.
API-AIO(98/PC): CONTECAio__pi0.inf, CONTECAio__pm0.inf
API-CNT(98/PC): CONTECCnt__pi0.inf, CONTECCnt_cb1.inf
API-DIO(98/PC): CONTECDio_pi0.inf, CONTECDio_cb0.inf, CONTECDio_pm0.inf
OS other than Windows Me/98
Delete the corresponding files from the following files exist in the folder of Windows\Inf or Winnt\Inf.
oem*.inf, Aoem*.pnf (* is an arbitrary number)
On the OS other than Windows Me/98, the INF file is copied by Windows with name changed.
Therefore, please confirm the contents before deleting a file.
If all of the oem*.* files are deleted, the INF file is required for reinstalling the hardware. (It is not only limited to CONTEC hardware)
But if there are only oem1.* files, delete them.
How to confirm the INF file
1). Open files of oem*.inf using notepad (NOTEPAD.EXE) or others.
2). Confirm whether the following strings exist in [version] section.
Class=MultiFunction
provider=%CONTEC%
3). Confirm that the hardware being used is recorded in [strings] section.
4). Delete files after finishing the above confirmation.
3. Restart Windows.
4. When the hardware is detected again, install API-TOOL(WDM) referring to Installing Device.
Clear the check box of media drives for specifying search locations.
API-AIO(98/PC) may be reinstalled if media drives is checked.
・Windows Me/98 and so on
Q9: Diagnosis program does not work normally
For the plug and play devices such as PCI board and PC card, usually it does not happen that diagnosis program does not work. It is explained below for cases when it can not work before.
When a PC card is used on a note computer
The I/O address you are using is in conflict with other hardware.
(But the conflict is not shown in Device Manager)
In that case, please change the I/O address you want to use manually.
When files are damaged
It is possible that files in media are damaged though it is a rare case.
In that case, it will result in abnormal action not anticipated at all.
Because the latest driver can be downloaded from CONTEC homepage, please try to use it when the driver in media does not work.
Q10: I want to change my development environment from API-TOOL(WDM) to API-TOOL(98/PC)
Uninstall the device driver.
Uninstall the development environment files. (However, this is optional.)
The device has been installed normally.
API-TOOL(98/PC) is being installed.
Device installation is failed.