[kid robusto]

i would try to use win98 or even win95. You could use a disk partition tool and free up like 500 meg of your hard drive, and multiboot to 95/98. Also it sounds like your laptop may be giving low voltages when your on battery packs, did you try when your plugged into the wall?

if all else fails find an old p1 box( many can be found on sides of roads) and use that to test your stuff.

Do you have any schematicsand/or code you could post? I have wanted to interface my PC and servo/motors but i dont know how to use qbasic to well.