XP keeps finding hardware 1

[tilltek]

Every time I boot XP sp3 I get the "Found new hardware" wizard. Seems XP thinks I have a PCI device.
If I do what it asks it eventually says "can not install."
So I put a tick in "don't prompt....." and then it all starts again.
Found new hardware, found new hardware, found new hardware until I press cancel.

I've searched the internet but can't work out how to stop it.

Any help would be great.
KennyF

 

[kjv1611]

Did you at any point try to install something that didn't install?

Have you checked device manager?
<Windows Key> and <R>, then type [blue]devmgmt.msc[/blue] and press <Enter>. Look for anything with a question mark or exclamation mark. If you see something that is such, and you know you aren't using anyway, just right-click and disable it. If it's something you think you need try to right-click and Update Driver.

If you don't know what it is, then you can find the hardware code this way:
Well, here's a freeware program built for the purpose, but it may be just as simple to do it on your own:

http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html

Pretty nifty... here's a site reviewing various apps for the purpose:

http://mytechquest.com/windows/how-...own-hardware-devices-in-windows-xp-and-vista/

Oh yeah, almost forgot about this one. If the driver doesn't have a digital signature, then Windows may be blocking it being installed. Check here about 2/3 down the page to see more on that:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314464

Well, here's the instructions, I just went through it myself to remember:
[OL][LI]In Device Manager (see above), right-click on the item that isn't installed correctly or at all.[/LI]
[LI]Select Properties from the pop-up menu[/LI]
[LI]Click the Details tab.[/LI]
[LI]Make sure Device Instance Id is selected in the drop-down.[/LI]
[LI]Left-Click to select the number/code starting with [BLUE]PCI\EV[/BLUE][/LI]
[LI]Use the keyboard shortcut, <ctrl> + <b> to copy the text.[/LI]
[LI]Go to www.google.com[/LI]
[LI]Paste the value in the search box, and add the words, [blue]driver windows xp[/blue][/LI]
[LI]Or if you can't find it yourself that way, try posting it here, and one of us may can help.[/LI][/OL]

 

[Lemon13]

Did you try reinstalling the chipset drivers?
What mainboard?

M. Knorr

MCSE, MCTS, MCSA, CCNA

 

[kjv1611]

Otherwise, you can try some clean-up apps:
Advanced System Care
Glary Utilities
CCleaner
RegscrubXP - No longer supported, but an amazing product for Windows XP machines - I've seen it work wonders in many situations, have used it since at least 2003 or 2004 ... not ONE major problem from it, though it may have caused one game to quit working on one laptop... around 2004 or 2005.

Also, good to scan for malware:
Malwarebytes Antimalware
SuperAntispyware

Depending upon what antivirus product you have, you may want to try something different. I highly suggest one of these:
Avira Antivir (possibly the strongest, but not quite as user friendly as some - not bad, but not as easy for "grandma").
Microsoft Security Essentials - Grandma can eliminate even the toughest bugs with this one. -
AVG - not as strong as the first 2, but better than many alternatives, still.
Avast! - Still good, though I've not used very extensively.

I personally use the first 2, sometimes on the same machine, with no issues. They seem to work very well hand-in-hand.

Also, if you are using Windows built-in firewall, might I suggest a 3rd party there. Either of these will do wonders:
Tall Emu Online Armor (not available on 64 bit yet, but it should be very soon[/i]
Comodo Internet Security

Everything I've mentioned here is available at

http://www.download.com

unless I linked to it directly, or just flat forgot!

 

[BadBigBen]

Well, here's the instructions, I just went through it myself to remember:

...

5. Left-Click to select the number/code starting with PCI\EV
6. Use the keyboard shortcut, <ctrl> + <b> to copy the text.

...

under point 5. it should read PCI/VE... and under point 6. it should be <ctrl> + <c> ...

just so that the OP doesn't get confused... ;-)



tilltek,

remove all USB devices and then try booting the PC again, does it stop then from finding new devices?

if so then one of your USB devices is flaky, and is sending wrong info to XP which thinks there is a new device to be installed... most of the time the culprit is usually a mouse or a USB Flash drive...

keep us posted with the info that others wanted and about the development on the situation...


Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[linney]

Can you pick out the hardware from this location?

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum\PCI

If you can, can you adapt this article as a possible solution?

The New Hardware Wizard may detect the printer device after every restart of the computer

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/298370/en-us#appliesto

If you find a suitable Key to delete, use the Export option to back it up first.

If you show hidden devices via View in the Device Manager it may throw up a few more problem devices for you to look at disabling or getting drivers for?

 

[kjv1611]

just so that the OP doesn't get confused...

No telling what I might say last few days... been a little loopy.

 

[tilltek]

Sorry to take so long getting back but I have just moved from Camiguin island in Mindanao to Angeles city in Luzon and setting up house has been a number one priority.
Thanks for all the suggestions.
I have tried all the above to no avail.
Unknown Device Identifier finds a VIA Chip Technology Hi Def Audio chip.
I can find an unknown PCI device using control panel/system/hardware and I can remove it in which case Unknown Device Identifier no longer finds it.
But on reboot, XP finds "Unknown Device" and whether I look for drivers or simply cancel, XP puts in back as a device all be it a non working one.
I have cleaned the registry. Defragged the HDD and updated ALL drivers, including the VIA Hi Def one.

What next?

 

[linney]

Can you track down the driver that XP is looking for via the Vendor ID and Device ID?

In Search Of 'Mystery' Devices

http://windowssecrets.com/L060921-05-In-Search-Of-Mystery-Devices

How long have you had SP3 on your machine?

How long have you had this problem?

Is it something that System Restore could sort out if you went back a few days?


I think this is a reputable download, at least it purports to be free.

DriverMax

http://www.drivermax.com/index.htm

Make sure you get the right download from the Home Page and not some other outfit.

http://download.cnet.com/DriverMax/3000-18513_4-10572602.html?part=dl-85782&subj=dl&tag=button

 

[tilltek]

Driver Max says I have all up to date drivers INCLUDING the Via Hi Def Audio one.

Ive only had the problem recently but I can't remember when exactly it started.
There is a Audio chip built into the mother board but it no longer appears on the hardware list in the BIOS.

How can I stop XP looking at it, that's the question.

Ken

 

[BadBigBen]

Your VIA HDA has gone haywire, it is reporting a wrong VEN&DEV number which of course the OS can not identify and tries to find drivers for (INF files list all VEN&DEV numbers that the driver supports and it does not match those at all)...

POST the VEN&DEV numbers of the device, post the link to the VIA HDA driver...

the only other options you have are:

1. get another Audio Card and disable the one in the BIOS...

2. get another Mainboard or upgrade the PC...





Ben
"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."
How to ask a question, when posting them to a professional forum.
Only ask questions with yes/no answers if you want "yes" or "no"

 

[tilltek]

Sorted.

I gave up trying to repair the problem so after much searching in the BIOS to find VIA HDA (it's under AZALIA HDA)I disabled it and fitted a cheap PCI audio card and all is OK.

Thanks to all members.
Kenny in Angeles city,

 

[kjv1611]

So one of BadBigBen's final suggestions fixed it. Good Job, Ben!

 

[tilltek]

<<< So one of BadBigBen's final suggestions fixed it.

Not so.
What I wanted was to solve the problem but after trying all the members suggestions I just gave up and deleted the sound card in the BIOS, which was always an option.
But thanks Ben and others, all good advice,

 

[kjv1611]

tilltek,

Okay, so you didn't see it.

I'll quote him here:

1. get another Audio Card and disable the one in the BIOS...

You can't actually "delete" anything from the bios - you enable or disable it. You disabled the onboard sound in the BIOS, and installed a different sound card - that's what he was suggesting in the above quote.

He posted that in his post on 6 Jun 10 14:19

Either way, glad you've got a working solution!