Topic: [Unknown Devices]
Date: 5th Oct-2005
Verify that all peripherals are connected 1st (So you do not delete a Place Marker/Holder) See below
Try to investigate what it is Note what Folder is the [Unknown Device] under Double Click the [Unknown Device] this should bring the [Properties] Page up Click on [Driver] Tab See if any info is shown Click on [Driver Details} See name of [Driver] Is it a USB Driver Just look for clues
Now start a Daily Notebook on PC
(1) Enter Date & Time of [Start Up]
(2) Record events as you observe them such as Prepped [Device Manager] to show [Non present Devices]
(3) Found [Unknown Device] under [Folder Name] [Driver Type] [Driver Name] [Other Details]
Now after you find out what you can about this device and recorded Click on [Uninstall Driver] to [Delete] & Record Deletion in Notebook Now I do a [Restart]
(1) To complete the uninstall
(2) To establish a Recovery Point Record in Notebook
Record all [Windows Updates] & events that occur This way you have events recorded whenever a problem occurs Now you might ask why do this when my PC already has an [Event Recorder] Well yes but if you cant [Start] you cant review the [Event Log]
This [Unknown Device] will show up again Now you will have a little more info on it then eventually you will know what it is Usually they are
(1) [Incorrect Drivers] that were trying to be installed and did not have matching Hardware
(2) It is the [Driver] remains of an old [Uninstalled Application or Hardware]
(3) It is the result of a [Power Failure/Shutdown] during the Installation Process
(4) The result of losing Power to a USB Hard Drive or USB Camera during data transfer
So if you had been keeping a log/notebook You would know -
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Now if you have any USB [Non present Devices] Make sure you have all your USB Devices connected and know they are functioning Then you can start deleting [Non present Devices] 1st start with [Devices] [HUBS] [Root Hubs] and finally the [Controllers] do a restart to complete the deletion Make entry in Notebook
The purpose of these [Non Present Devices] is to be a [Place Holder/Marker] for USB Devices that you do not keep Connected/Powered at all times Like a [Printer] - So that when you do turn it ON PnP does not [Find New Hardware] and have to do a [Install Printer] each & every time you Turn Printer ON It just merely Turns On & acts normal
Now whenever you install a new USB device and it does not install correctly on 1st attempt you now have tool to see if a [Non present] entry occurred and a method of deleting Usually I find that If you simply disconnect the device & do a [Restart] and wait until Windows is Running Then simply connect USB Device then PnP will find the [New Device] and installs ok Just needed the 2nd Restart You just installed the [Place Holder] Sometimes I think that there is a [RACE] between [Driver Installation] & [PnP] Starting -
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I knew that these things were happening but did not know how to view them Now you made me find a method
You had done so many things that by the time I came on the scene I was not able to [Define Issue] That is 1st Step in the [Troubleshooting Process] I knew that there was more done than what initial post indicated That is [Normal] If you could [Define Problem] Then you probably would not have the problem
Also my method is to supply info so that you understand - and let you fix the problem I am just the navigator My Goals are:
(1) - To convert [Stumbling Blocks] into [Stepping Stones]
(2) To Find [Root Cause]
Give me an [Status Update] on USB Issues
(1) Is printer working
(2) Is new USB PCI Card working
(3) How about old VIA USB on Motherboard Working or still malfunctioning
Jack123
Edited by Jack123, 05 October 2005 - 01:14 PM.