Re: unknown device -- how to identify?
From: JClark (johnmc1937REMOVE_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 03/21/04
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Date: Sun, 21 Mar 2004 22:50:14 GMT
On Mon, 22 Mar 2004 00:22:58 +1100, "Pegasus \(MVP\)" <I.can@fly.com>
wrote:
>
>"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.
>
Pegasus:
I decided to accept your advice and "be practical". I just disabled
the unknown device and my friend will have to put up with that yellow
mark in Device Manager.
Yes, I agree with you about a sector copy program. I use one on all my
family's computers (I'm not a pro...just a home enthusiast). I have
Acronis True Image for my office computer and it's very user friendly.
But I stick to Ghost for my own computer...prefer to run it from DOS,
and I use Drive Image on my wife's computer, and prefer to run it
from DOS as well. It's really no problem with NTFS, despite what you
might think.
Those sector backups are wonderful to have if you ever really get into
deep mess. I also have a batch program (with a desktop shortcut) to
Xcopy all the data files from various programs onto copy folders on
another hard drive. I use switches to copy subfolders, overwrite older
files, and skip confirmation. If anyone would like to see a skeleton
of that batch program, I'd be happy to post it.
With those two backups, in a worst case scenario, you format the boot
drive, restore from the Ghost or Drive Image or Acronis, then restore
the most recent data files saved with your batch program....problem
solved.
Thanks again for your advice!
Jack
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