Device Manager Empty

artistwantab,

Did you try this?

For Device Manager showing up blank, look at this MSKB article:

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311504
No Items Appear in the Device Manager List When You Open It


Also I recommend running EWIDO;

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/


Disable system restore and run scan again if you find anything serious.

Also if you are running Norton's antivirus I suggest uninstalling it from add/remove programs, use Ewido to get it out of the startup menu; open Ewido, click ananlysis, click startup, select norton stuff individually and hit delete for each one associated w/ norton.

Try avast for free or Eset NOD32;

http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html

http://www.eset.com/home/home.htm

I have found that when you uninstallNorton antivirus, that it does not do a clean install, thus I use the following program 'nonav' after the un-installation.

http://www.mickelson.org/files/zips/

hi artistwantab  how old is your scanner, xp is kind of finacky about using old drivers. What make and model is it please. I have found if you can install the correct drivers then simply go to add new hardware choose scanner and choose the correct windowsxp driver.
If you provide the scanner model /year we'll try and find the correct drivers for it.
Regards Merete

Thats the thing everything was working fine.  Scanner has been installed and working for months.  Then I reboot today and this.  

E

BTW I am not using norton.  I am using zone alarm.  I also installed the above spyware programs but still no luck.

E

Is the scanner connnected usb?  maybe the cable is bad.

Did you have some windows updates recently. I would try and simply update the drivers. Find the drivers for it first uninstall the old and any references to it from safemode.
Then re-install it. Using teh add new hardware and navigate to where you saved the drivers.
Have you recently added any new plug and play ie flash drives or some new program?
These may conflict.
You can check in the start menue all programs accessories system tools system information, look down to problem devices and if there is any in there.
this works for xp as well>>How to troubleshoot unknown devices that are listed in Device Manager
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=244601

WINDOWS XP SERVICES in detail
http://engr.smu.edu/~kaytaz/xpservices.html

i reckon try creating a new user account with full admin rights. see if it shows up then. your profile might be corrupt

If you do not know the scanner manufacturer, like my unit which I got for free from Earthlink when I threatened to go to another ISP unles they sent me on, then use the name on the cover and google it. I did that with mine when I needed updated drivers. When I did use google, it came up with Mustek as the manufacturer.

Joe

I tried creating a new user and no luck.

I should have not mentioned the scanner.  The issue is not with the scanner.  I am confindant that when I can get the device manager to view properly my scanner will also start working.

E

Now, I am confused. Since it is not the scanner, then are you implying that the device manager is empty? Please clarify your question for us.

Sincerely

Joe

Yes the device manager is completely empty.  I only mentioned the scanner because it is what led me to look in the device manager when it stopped working.

E

try downloading and running the malicious software removal tool from microsoft.

Ok, if you have the xp pro cd rom, not the restore disk then:
goto the bios
change it so the cd rom is first
Insert the cd rom
rebot the PC
When offered repair press {R}

The worst senario would be to use the restore disks which wipe out everything. In this cas burn your data folders, burn your favorites and export your e-mail addresses. Then you can use the retore disk(s). Hopefully there is a better solution.

I have ran into this problem several times and learned from this and thus like to share the idea with others on this website.

First purchase a new HD the same size of your existing HD.
It should be installed as a slave for about 35 dollars.
Note where the blue or red colored wire on the cable is located.
Disconnect the cable to your master  HD
Install the new HD as a master
Fdisk
Reboot
Format
Remove the HD
Now over a white cloth, move the jumper for slave operation.
Reinstall your Master HD
Reinstall the slave drive
Be careful that you connect the HDs correctly.
Next purchase Acronis True Image
Install it on your Master Hard drive
Make a backup to your new hard drive.
Do not configure it to make automatic in the background  incremental backups.
Do a back up once a month after you are sure your HD does not have any problems.
Doing an incremental backup may just transfer problems to your slave drive.
Next make a folder on your master HD called 'Database"
Copy and Paste all your data folders to it.
Next on a daily basis copy and paste database to the new slave HD
As to your e-mail addresses, on a monthly basis make a back up as follows
Goto Outlook Express
Go to Tools
Go to Address book
Goto Files
Go to export
Chose the 'WAB" option
Insert a floppy
Follow the directions to save the e-mail addresses.
Joe

I tried the Microsoft malicious software and it found nothing.

Thanks for the info Joe.  I am hoping to fix this problem without reinstalling everything.

E

Try running the System File Scanner.

Start > Run, type "sfc /scannow"

you will need to insert the windows cd.

if there are any corrupt files it should replace them with originals

Let us know

Bryan

also try opening device manager through the mmc snap in and see if that works:

start > run, type mmc

File > Add/Remove Snap in > Add > Device Manager > Add > Select Local COmputer > Close > OK

click on the device manager in the left tree and see if stuff appears in the right.

Let us know

Bryan

also have a look at this:

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/gp/284.asp

it should be the same for xp

Bryan

tried this

File > Add/Remove Snap in > Add > Device Manager > Add > Select Local COmputer > Close > OK

No devices show

BTW I purchased the computer used and do not have the original XP disk.  GRRRR Didn't even think about it when buying the computer.

E

in that case i think its legal to download a torrent of it for that reason.

did you try using the above link?

http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/Default.asp?url=/resources/documentation/Windows/2000/server/reskit/en-us/gp/284.asp

there is still a way round performing a sfc without the cd. Find an xpcd from a friend.
copy the xpcd to a folder on your C drive name it xp . Enable the show all hidden files and system etc.
Once done
Go to the following locations and change the path to wherever you copied the source files on your hdd..

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Setup\ServicePackSourcePath
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\
CurrentVersion\Setup\SourcePath
The last one might not be necessary.
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows NT\CurrentVersion\SourcePath

you can now perform a sfc /scannow with the xpcd.

The above link I am not sure what to do with it...

Where do I find this....

User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Management Console\Restricted/Permitted snap-ins\Extension snap-ins

E

I have a Toshiba XP recovery Cd that came with my laptop.  Will that work?  

This comp cannot view the cd but I can copy it over the lan.

E

you find that in the local group policy

Start > Run > mmc > File > Add/Remove Snapin > Add > Group policy object editor > Local computer > close > ok

Expand Local computer policy then follow the above: User Configuration\Administrative Templates\Windows Components\Microsoft Management Console\Restricted/Permitted snap-ins\Extension snap-ins
then look for device manager.

give the toshoba cd a go

Tried it...

Start > Run > mmc > File > Add/Remove Snapin > Add > Group policy object editor > Local computer > close > ok

still nothing.

I am giving the toshiba cd a go.

E

when you say still nothing, does that mean when you expand local computer policy it's empty?

No I mean the device manager is still empty.

E

i really think you need to do the sfc /scannow. it sounds like the dll for the device manager is corrupt.

That did the job.   Thank you so much!!!!  I was starting to think I was going to need to reinstall everything.  Well deserved A!