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Windows XP forum: Windows cannot auto detect any devices

by: paul Friedman4 May 14, 2006 7:52 AM PDT

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Windows cannot auto detect any devices

by paul Friedman4 - 5/14/06 7:52 AM

Hi everyone,

The computer I am working with is a Dell P4 desktop with 512 MB RAM, and Windows XP Home with SP2 that was purchased new in August 2005.

The problem is that every time I plug a device into the system (MP4 player, USB printer, flash drive) it is not detected. If I look in Device Manager it shows up as an unknown device. If I then try to manually install the driver, it will install properly.

I then decided to remove all USB Host Controllers, USB Root Hubs etc. After doing this and rebooting, all of these devices were unknown devices as well. Simply telling Windows to update the driver added the devices properly.

Can anyone tell me if you have seen this before and if so, what the solution is?

Thank you.


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I am not sure, but

by MarkFlax Moderator - 5/14/06 1:25 PM

In Reply to: Windows cannot auto detect any devices by paul Friedman4

I have seen it said that many USB devices need their drivers installed before attaching the device.

Do you have install CD's with these devices? (MP4 player, Flash Drive, USB Printer).

If so, try that, (one CD, one device at a time), and see if Windows remembers when the device is unattached, then re-attached.

Also, it is unwise simply to unattach USB devices. It is recommended that the ''Safely remove hardware'' icon in the System Tray, (where the clock is), is used to tell you when they can be unattached.

I hope this helps.

Mark


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Devices not detected.

by Papa Echo - 5/14/06 4:51 PM

In Reply to: Windows cannot auto detect any devices by paul Friedman4

If I look in Device Manager it shows up as an unknown device

Windows did detect the devices - they are just not installed.

For USB devices, the drivers have to be ''in'' before the devices are detected and automatically installed. Some devices, like Flash drives, are automatically installed because they usually use a generic driver contained in Windows.(Plug & Play)

Non USB devices need to be detected by Windows first, then you are asked to install them by installing the drivers, e.g. by inserting the disc, or to choose a driver from Windows itself(Manufacturer, model etc.).


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Devices

by Bill Veik - 5/15/06 10:18 AM

In Reply to: Windows cannot auto detect any devices by paul Friedman4

are you turning of the computer and rebooting? I believe most devices suggest or require that you install the software, without the device plugged in, plug in the device afterward. Then if Plug and Play does not automatically come up, restarting the computer will cause the Plug and Play to recognize the new device and activate it during system startup.


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Fixed

by paul Friedman4 - 5/18/06 10:50 AM

In Reply to: Windows cannot auto detect any devices by paul Friedman4

Hi all,

Thanks for your suggestions. The problem was that ALL plug and play devices were detected as Other Devices. Turns out the Windows installation was damaged and wiping and reloading Windows fixed the issue.

Regards...Jenn


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Glad you got it sorted,

by MarkFlax Moderator - 5/19/06 1:43 AM

In Reply to: Fixed by paul Friedman4

although having to re-install Windows is a shame.

But congratulations.

Mark


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