Re: unknown device -- how to identify?

From: Pegasus \(MVP\) (I.can_at_fly.com)
Date: 03/21/04 

Date: Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:22:58 +1100

"JClark" <johnmc1937REMOVE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:mo0r50hamefn56ospqpak5m6ugdp7kqd0e@4ax.com...
> On Sun, 21 Mar 2004 11:56:03 +1100, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com>
> wrote:
>
> >
> >"JClark" <johnmc1937REMOVE@hotmail.com> wrote in message
> >news:uipp50taeq33c0h5b4gcg2g0cda7v4qcff@4ax.com...
> >> Hello Group:
> >>
> >> I installed windows 2kP/sp4 on a friend's computer (Dell Inspiron
> >> 8100)...formatted HD and did clean install with fresh installation of
> >> all hardware. Got all drivers, chipset, hardware, etc from Ma Dell's
> >> site and installed without trouble.
> >> Only problem is a solitary "unknown device" in device manager which is
> >> driving me crazy. I have all the hardware accounted for, so I don't
> >> think pulling PCI cards one at a time is going to help. I've checked
> >> in administrative tools\computer management\system
> >> information\components and there are not "problem devices".
> >>
> >> I've run the zhangdou program which is supposed to identify unknown
> >> devices:
> >>
> >> http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html
> >>
> >> It lists a gazillion devices, but does not tell me which one, if any,
> >> is the problem one.
> >>
> >> Likewise with aida32:
> >>
> >> http://www.aida32.hu/aida32-download.php
> >>
> >> Beautiful information summary, but of no help in identifying the
> >> problem driver or device.
> >>
> >> I've read the microsoft bulletin 244601:
> >>
> >>
>
>http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;244601&Product=win2
000
> >>
> >> Again, a lot of interesting general information,but no specific help
> >> for my problem
> >>
> >> All the stuff seems to be working fine, but I'm going mad trying to
> >> get that damn yellow question mark and exclamation point out of my new
> >> work of art!
> >>
> >> Any suggestions greatly appreciated!
> >>
> >> Jack
> >
> >I've used AIDA several times when I had such problems.
> >After examining its report in detail I was always able to
> >identify the unknown device.
> >
> >Alternatively, you can disable the unidentified device, or
> >perhaps even uninstall it. I know that this might spoil
> >your beautiful work of art but sometimes we have to
> >be pragmatic.
> >
> Pegasus:
> Maybe I am not using AIDA or the zhangdou programs correctly. I'll
> study them again.
> When I disable the unidentified device, windows no longer nags to get
> drivers for "new hardware", but I still have the ugly yellow mark in
> device manager...admittedly only an esthetic concern for practical
> purposes. I'm also going to try the old mechanical method of pulling
> one card at a time...ugh!
> I'm wondering if there is some "on board" device which needs drivers.
> I thought I had installed everything which Dell provided for the
> original system, with newer win2k drivers, of course. I don't
> recognize anything like that in the "original system" info I
> downloaded, but I may be missing something. Dell support, by the way,
> once hearing that I had installed a new OS, politely told me to flake
> off. Glad it's not my box, but I've put a lot into it now and want to
> pursue the problem.
> I appreciate your thoughtful input, as always, and will follow up.
>
> Jack

Under Aida32 I always check the items listed under "Devices".

Seeing that you've spent so much time to create a perfect system,
have you given any thought to protecting your (or your customer's)
investment? Last week I spent 7 hours configuring a brand new
Dell laptop to my client's satisfaction. At the end I created an
image file of drive C:, using Acronis' TrueImage. If the machine
goes south for some reason then I can restore it to its current
condition within less than one hour. My client likes the idea.