Device Manager empty on XP Home SP3

[ScoHar]

Hi Guys, I kinda know a little about computers, and im trying to help my mate fix his computer, the story goes he wanted to set up USB2.0 as it was telling him its USB1.1 but when I tried to go into device manager to check out the USB controller, Nothing was there, dead empty not even the computer name, also I have noticed that My Computer also takes an extra long time to come up.

Now I have tried most of the solutions on the net so far,enabled PNP, I've changed the security permissions in the registry (ENUM), I've tried the ConTextplus/Aproposfix.exe fix, checked for the windows USB foundation device wasn't started and couldn't get it to start in SERVICES.MSC.

Im growing a migrane with this problem i've almost tried everything I can think of to no avail.

[Tom_1569]

log in as "Administrator" in safe mode and see if it shows up then?

[ScoHar]

log in as "Administrator" in safe mode and see if it shows up then?

Done that also, still shows nothing at all, and My Computer still takes how do I say it ( 30 right to lefts of the hour glass LOL)

[Tom_1569]

Hmmm, very interesting, the only time ive ever come across such problem was due to permissions, clearly not your case.

[azkwazere]

lol... i just broke my device manager trying to solve this

meh, fix it later.

How are you starting the managers service?

It most likely wont change anything but start it through both:

run->devmgmt.msc

and

run->compmgmt.msc then select device manager

see if that yields the same time out.

aZk.


*EDIT* just an after thought, is there any unregistered devices attached to the computer? if its got somehting it cant load properly in it (USB Keys, harddruve etc.) then it may not run properly....

[ScoHar]

Ill have a go tonight when I get home from work, and see what happens

'EDIT' Na I have disconnected every device I can think of that may be screwing with it.

[ScoHar]

Tried both those and get the same result.

[azkwazere]

hmm... double check your permissions on the enum hive...

Make sure the settings cascade to all the child keys too...

there is a scan you can run that checks all windows components, you run it in the "run" box as something /scan and i cant for the life remember what it is!

holdensupporter2005 might have a solution later tonight.

aZk.

[Ozzie]

do a virus n spyscan. funny things can happen when u enter nauty sites.

most likely a registry error though. do a reg scan aswell

[MudBlood]

Unplug everything that isn't needed, leaving only the KB, Mouse and monitor. make sure the KB and Mouse are in the PS2 ports and not USB.
Boot into safe mode. see how that goes.

Failing that do a system restore to before sp3 was installed, then reinstall it.

Failing that back everything up to an external media, format and install XP Pro if you have a version available to you, that is.

some clicky links for you
MS Forums

The solution you actually need

[ScoHar]

interesting, my friend tells me he used to have norton 360 on his computer but removed it around 6 months ago due to going another antivirus, I have run a few scans. AVG Spybot, ad aware, malwarebytes anti malware.

[Black_Stig]

Heres a more simple way,

Steps:
1.Back up all of his data
2. Throw in a XP or Vista CD/DvD
3. Format the bastard
4. Install the OS of your Choice
5. Have a nice Cool Beer or Bourbon to help kill the Headache

[Ozzie]

interesting, my friend tells me he used to have norton 360 on his computer but removed it around 6 months ago due to going another antivirus, I have run a few scans. AVG Spybot, ad aware, malwarebytes anti malware.

try a registry cleaner

registry mechanic
tuneup utilities ect...

[ScoHar]

Heres a more simple way,

Steps:
1.Back up all of his data
2. Throw in a XP or Vista CD/DvD
3. Format the bastard
4. Install the OS of your Choice
5. Have a nice Cool Beer or Bourbon to help kill the Headache

I think you might be on the money in this case, but I also have a small problem, half or so of the computer is allocated to his old mans files which we cannot access, I don't want to loose these files for him.

[MudBlood]

as in they are locked via user login? or hidden partition?

are you able to speak to the "old man" and get login information from him at all??

and if it's only the documents and settings folder, safe mode as administrator should let you in. thats if xp home lets you do it. never used it myself.

[Tom_1569]

Format and reboot should be a LAST RESORT. The problem will be able to be fixed you just need to find what it is.

As for accessing the files, as suggested safe-mode as admin will work.
Also if hes a computer administrator, he can remove his dads password, and log in. Though you cannot change the password, go figure.
Many many ways to get the dads files and settings, even if you can get "permission" directly. But try and resolve the problem, I dont think device manager not working and usb1.1 is a godo enough reason to do a full reboot. Atleast system repair if you havent already.

[Black_Stig]

If he is Admin he can change his Dads password by simply doing this

Start>>>Run>>> type in cmd in the run box

MSDOS Box will appear in that type this

net user "Username here" *
Press enter
(Keeping the "" there when typing in the username)
Type a password for the user:
Retype the password to Confirm:

Please note when you are typing the new password and to Confirm it, NOTHING will be displayed when u are typing it. So be very careful when typing the new password and Confirming it.

[Tom_1569]

If he is Admin he can change his Dads password by simply doing this

Start>>>Run>>> type in cmd in the run box

MSDOS Box will appear in that type this

net user "Username here" *
Press enter
(Keeping the "" there when typing in the username)
Type a password for the user:
Retype the password to Confirm:

Please note when you are typing the new password and to Confirm it, NOTHING will be displayed when u are typing it. So be very careful when typing the new password and Confirming it.

There you go, never knew that could be done.

For work we always get people who dont leave log in passwords, and in rare cases refuse to leave them. Makes it very difficult to fix there computer when we cant get into it So I just go into safe mode as Administrator (Who actually has a password for Administrator lol), remove the users password, restart, log-in as them.

[holdensupporter2005]

Try this program called Dial-A-Fix
Tick all the boxes under "Registration Center"
and then click on the Go Button.

Also click on policies and scan it for hidden policies (usually policies that have been set up by viruses / spyware) and remove any that come up in the scan
________________________

You could also try this:
You must be logged on as a local administrator to perform this task:

1. Go to "Start", "Run", and enter "regedt32"
2. Maximize the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" window.
3. Scroll down to "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum"
4. With "Enum" selected click the "Security", "Permissions" menu.

Note: At this point you will probably notice there are no permissions on this key.

5. Click "Add".
6. Add the group "Everyone" and the user "SYSTEM".
7. Select "Everyone" and check "Read" ONLY!
8. Select "SYSTEM" and check "Full Control".
9. Click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.
10. On the Advanced window check "Reset permissions on all child objects..."
11. Click "OK"
12. On the warning window click "Yes"
13. Close REGEDT32

You should now be able to see everything in Device Manager, Network Places Properties,
and Printers."

Hope this helps

[ScoHar]

Try this program called Dial-A-Fix
Tick all the boxes under "Registration Center"
and then click on the Go Button.

Also click on policies and scan it for hidden policies (usually policies that have been set up by viruses / spyware) and remove any that come up in the scan
________________________

You could also try this:
You must be logged on as a local administrator to perform this task:

1. Go to "Start", "Run", and enter "regedt32"
2. Maximize the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" window.
3. Scroll down to "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum"
4. With "Enum" selected click the "Security", "Permissions" menu.

Note: At this point you will probably notice there are no permissions on this key.

5. Click "Add".
6. Add the group "Everyone" and the user "SYSTEM".
7. Select "Everyone" and check "Read" ONLY!
8. Select "SYSTEM" and check "Full Control".
9. Click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.
10. On the Advanced window check "Reset permissions on all child objects..."
11. Click "OK"
12. On the warning window click "Yes" I (((I also got another warning when doing this saying something about child directories)))
13. Close REGEDT32

You should now be able to see everything in Device Manager, Network Places Properties,
and Printers."

Hope this helps

Yea, I tried the ENUM permission 1st of all, got no where and it did already have permission for all users in there. I'm just going to format and re install. I have found the original XP Home disc that came with the computer, I'm thinking this is going to be less time consuming than what I've already done so ill be done with it.

[Tom_1569]

Yea, I tried the ENUM permission 1st of all, got no where and it did already have permission for all users in there. I'm just going to format and re install. I have found the original XP Home disc that came with the computer, I'm thinking this is going to be less time consuming than what I've already done so ill be done with it.

Back up all your data and try a repair unless theres a reason it needs a full format.

When doing repair never use the first repair. Load the disc, it will give to two options, to install windows(press enter), or open windows repair (press r), press enter, then it would load some crap and detect windows is installed and ask you if you want to repair... Say yes at that stage.
Hope that makes sense.

[ScoHar]

Back up all your data and try a repair unless theres a reason it needs a full format.

When doing repair never use the first repair. Load the disc, it will give to two options, to install windows(press enter), or open windows repair (press r), press enter, then it would load some crap and detect windows is installed and ask you if you want to repair... Say yes at that stage.
Hope that makes sense.

do you mean boot from CD? I tried it with windows running it didn't give me bugger all options to do with repair, I did however START>RUN SFC /SCANNOW, and it scanned but doesn't look like it found anything bad? the log had succesful on about 4 things. I just think a reformat is prob the easiest way to go now, since everything important is now backed up anyway.

I just hope it works after i format and reinstall, be gutted if it doesn't, he wants to do a few upgrades at the same time too, so I guess better time than any.

[Tom_1569]

do you mean boot from CD? I tried it with windows running it didn't give me bugger all options to do with repair, I did however START>RUN SFC /SCANNOW, and it scanned but doesn't look like it found anything bad? the log had succesful on about 4 things. I just think a reformat is prob the easiest way to go now, since everything important is now backed up anyway.

I just hope it works after i format and reinstall, be gutted if it doesn't, he wants to do a few upgrades at the same time too, so I guess better time than any.

Yeah, Sorry boot from cd.

If you have the time, then a format and install willgive you the most benefits, but if you dont have to reinstall everything then repair will be the go.

Yep may aswell do upgrades BEFORE you repair or format.

[ScoHar]

Format and reinstall done, fixed all problems so must have been software issue somewhere.