Device Manager Blank...?

[cozmosland]

Originally Posted by kobefly

I have EXACTLY the same problem, did you or someone else find the solution so you can save this changes?

i'm having the same problem, theres 1 more thing to try and thats the plug and play thing.. arg stupid things cant find the network car and it takes sooo long to load the content in the "my computer"
ug is it possible that there may be sumthing wrong with the motherboard?? although i'm thinking if that was the case the computer wouldnt turn on

[8dalejr.fan]

cozmosland,

It's not the motherboard. I have the exact same problem as you do and so does I'm sure hundreds of other people just over the last few days alone.

We'll get it resolved.

[cozmosland]

Originally Posted by 8dalejr.fan

cozmosland,

It's not the motherboard. I have the exact same problem as you do and so does I'm sure hundreds of other people just over the last few days alone.

We'll get it resolved.

o ok i didnt know it was a whole bunch of people... i just thought i did sumthing really stupid, owell i'v tried everything that i could find on forum to fix it but nothing has worked yet, i'm envious of the poeple that have it fixed but i'm glad to say my internet is working now! i just cant see my connections

[scoopj7]

I was having the same problem - empty device manager, and no network connections listed. I found many possible solutions but the one that worked for me was to go into Add/Remove Programs, and see if ContextPlus was listed; it was, I removed it, and device manager and network connections came back. Here is the link for the complete thread:

http://www.annoyances.org/exec/forum/winxp/t1051715405

good luck!
~scoopj7

Originally Posted by cozmosland

o ok i didnt know it was a whole bunch of people... i just thought i did sumthing really stupid, owell i'v tried everything that i could find on forum to fix it but nothing has worked yet, i'm envious of the poeple that have it fixed but i'm glad to say my internet is working now! i just cant see my connections

[dragonreese]

I believe the ContextPlus is a part of the Apropos spyware module and you were lucky enough to have an automatic uninstaller for it. There are a lot of people going through this issue right now and this is my post from a few other forums.

I have worked on this problem of a corrupted Device Manager, missing Network Connections, slow response times from Windows Explorer and Windows reactivation BS for about 10 hours and this has finally fixed the issue. I previously scanned the system with Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware and Webroot Spy Sweeper but nothing picked up on Apropos.

Step 1.
=====
Download AproposFix.exe:
http://swandog46.geekstogo.com/aproposfix.exe

Step 2.
=====
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 on the keyboard repeatedly AFTER your BIOS loads and BEFORE Windows starts to load.

Step 3.
=====
Log into the account where the files you downloaded are on the Desktop. It should be an account with Administor privledges.

Step 4.
=====
Double click on AproposFix.exe and extract the files to your Desktop. Open that folder and double click on Run This.bat and follow the instructions. Restart the computer once you are prompted.

Step 5.
=====
Once you are back in Windows running in normal mode with a working Device Manager, etc. get yourself online and download FireFox and download Microsoft AntiSpyware to help you stay protected against spyware.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You should still also use Spybot S&D and Lavasoft Adware.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

[cozmosland]

Hey thank you so much, the ContextPlus was in there and so i deleted it and it worked, so everything is back to normal now except my internet, is anyone else having internet problems to do with this crap, mine works for about 2 min after it does that proxy search thing (i;m not using a proxy) and then doesnt work anymore, but i do have a full working connection,i can get limewire to work sumtimes but only if i'm lucky, it tells me that i must be using a firewall or it's a loopback connection, but i'm not using a firewall and my connection is correct so i duno, can sumone tell me if i'm not the only one with a semi tempermental disfunctional web connection?

Originally Posted by dragonreese

I believe the ContextPlus is a part of the Apropos spyware module and you were lucky enough to have an automatic uninstaller for it. There are a lot of people going through this issue right now and this is my post from a few other forums.

I have worked on this problem of a corrupted Device Manager, missing Network Connections, slow response times from Windows Explorer and Windows reactivation BS for about 10 hours and this has finally fixed the issue. I previously scanned the system with Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware and Webroot Spy Sweeper but nothing picked up on Apropos.

To make sure that this file is available I have uploaded it to my own server and you can download it below. I also have an AproposUninstaller.exe from Symantec on there, but I did not have to try that since the AproposFix.exe worked. I am taking no credit for it, but I just want to make sure it is available to the next person that goes through this ****.

Step 1.
=====
Download one (or both) of the files to remove Apropos to your Desktop.
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...AproposFix.exe
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...ninstaller.exe

Step 2.
=====
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 on the keyboard repeatedly AFTER your BIOS loads and BEFORE Windows starts to load.

Step 3.
=====
Log into the account where the files you downloaded are on the Desktop. It should be an account with Administor privledges.

Step 4.
=====
//For AproposFix.exe:
Double click on AproposFix.exe and extract the files to your Desktop. Open that folder and double click on Run This.bat and follow the instructions. Restart the computer once you are prompted.

//For AproposUninstaller.exe:
Double click on AproposUninstaller.exe to open the removal tool. Click on the Start button when you are ready to start scanning. Follow the instructions within the removal tool.

Step 5.
=====
Once you are back in Windows running in normal mode with a working Device Manager, etc. get yourself online and download FireFox and download Microsoft AntiSpyware to help you stay protected against spyware.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You should still also use Spybot S&D and Lavasoft Adware.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by dragonreese

I believe the ContextPlus is a part of the Apropos spyware module and you were lucky enough to have an automatic uninstaller for it. There are a lot of people going through this issue right now and this is my post from a few other forums.

I have worked on this problem of a corrupted Device Manager, missing Network Connections, slow response times from Windows Explorer and Windows reactivation BS for about 10 hours and this has finally fixed the issue. I previously scanned the system with Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware and Webroot Spy Sweeper but nothing picked up on Apropos.

To make sure that this file is available I have uploaded it to my own server and you can download it below. I also have an AproposUninstaller.exe from Symantec on there, but I did not have to try that since the AproposFix.exe worked. I am taking no credit for it, but I just want to make sure it is available to the next person that goes through this ****.

Step 1.
=====
Download one (or both) of the files to remove Apropos to your Desktop.
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...AproposFix.exe
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...ninstaller.exe

Step 2.
=====
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 on the keyboard repeatedly AFTER your BIOS loads and BEFORE Windows starts to load.

Step 3.
=====
Log into the account where the files you downloaded are on the Desktop. It should be an account with Administor privledges.

Step 4.
=====
//For AproposFix.exe:
Double click on AproposFix.exe and extract the files to your Desktop. Open that folder and double click on Run This.bat and follow the instructions. Restart the computer once you are prompted.

//For AproposUninstaller.exe:
Double click on AproposUninstaller.exe to open the removal tool. Click on the Start button when you are ready to start scanning. Follow the instructions within the removal tool.

Step 5.
=====
Once you are back in Windows running in normal mode with a working Device Manager, etc. get yourself online and download FireFox and download Microsoft AntiSpyware to help you stay protected against spyware.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You should still also use Spybot S&D and Lavasoft Adware.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

I have tried everything on there and I still cant see my device manager, my folders are opening slow...and I cant see my interent connections...also the system restore is not working...I found apropos and it keeps putting something called OCSOFT in program files....I keep having to go in there and delete it but it never fixes my problems...I dont have ContextPlus anywhere on my computer. The fix said that hidden files not found.Is there any other fixes that you know of that might work? Thank you for your time.

[cozmosland]

ok but does your internet work?

Originally Posted by persuazion

I have tried everything on there and I still cant see my device manager, my folders are opening slow...and I cant see my interent connections...also the system restore is not working...I found apropos and it keeps putting something called OCSOFT in program files....I keep having to go in there and delete it but it never fixes my problems...I dont have ContextPlus anywhere on my computer. The fix said that hidden files not found.Is there any other fixes that you know of that might work? Thank you for your time.

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by cozmosland

ok but does your internet work?

yes...but I cant type a website in the address bar because it will freeze up...I just have to use the search bar...and my comp isnt recognizing my modem but I can still get on the net.....?

[seaside]

I saw the first computer on Nov 22/05 with this problem.
Had a couple more since then.
Removing ContextPlus fixed them all. (It also screwes up dialup internet connections, BTW.)
All the other fixes (PNP Service, Enum permissions, Adaware, Spyware, Ewido, Norton Scan) were useless.
Thanks Dragonreese!

Originally Posted by dragonreese

I believe the ContextPlus is a part of the Apropos spyware module and you were lucky enough to have an automatic uninstaller for it. There are a lot of people going through this issue right now and this is my post from a few other forums.

I have worked on this problem of a corrupted Device Manager, missing Network Connections, slow response times from Windows Explorer and Windows reactivation BS for about 10 hours and this has finally fixed the issue. I previously scanned the system with Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware and Webroot Spy Sweeper but nothing picked up on Apropos.

[persuazion]

Originally Posted by seaside

I saw the first computer on Nov 22/05 with this problem.
Had a couple more since then.
Removing ContextPlus fixed them all. (It also screwes up dialup internet connections, BTW.)
All the other fixes (PNP Service, Enum permissions, Adaware, Spyware, Ewido, Norton Scan) were useless.
Thanks Dragonreese!

is there any other place Contextplus would be?? I cant find it in my addremove programs.....

[davis]

Originally Posted by dragonreese

I believe the ContextPlus is a part of the Apropos spyware module and you were lucky enough to have an automatic uninstaller for it. There are a lot of people going through this issue right now and this is my post from a few other forums.

I have worked on this problem of a corrupted Device Manager, missing Network Connections, slow response times from Windows Explorer and Windows reactivation BS for about 10 hours and this has finally fixed the issue. I previously scanned the system with Spybot S&D, Lavasoft AdAware and Webroot Spy Sweeper but nothing picked up on Apropos.

To make sure that this file is available I have uploaded it to my own server and you can download it below. I also have an AproposUninstaller.exe from Symantec on there, but I did not have to try that since the AproposFix.exe worked. I am taking no credit for it, but I just want to make sure it is available to the next person that goes through this ****.

Step 1.
=====
Download one (or both) of the files to remove Apropos to your Desktop.
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...AproposFix.exe
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...ninstaller.exe

Step 2.
=====
Restart your computer and enter Safe Mode by pressing F8 on the keyboard repeatedly AFTER your BIOS loads and BEFORE Windows starts to load.

Step 3.
=====
Log into the account where the files you downloaded are on the Desktop. It should be an account with Administor privledges.

Step 4.
=====
//For AproposFix.exe:
Double click on AproposFix.exe and extract the files to your Desktop. Open that folder and double click on Run This.bat and follow the instructions. Restart the computer once you are prompted.

//For AproposUninstaller.exe:
Double click on AproposUninstaller.exe to open the removal tool. Click on the Start button when you are ready to start scanning. Follow the instructions within the removal tool.

Step 5.
=====
Once you are back in Windows running in normal mode with a working Device Manager, etc. get yourself online and download FireFox and download Microsoft AntiSpyware to help you stay protected against spyware.
http://www.mozilla.org/products/firefox/
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/d...displaylang=en

You should still also use Spybot S&D and Lavasoft Adware.
http://www.safer-networking.org/
http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10...age&tag=button

thanks a bunch! you are a miracle worker for sure. i think it was a virus cuz i still have some pop-ups to deal with. i have mcafee and pow!, but they seem to be popping up at startup. is anyone having the same problem?

[kmsilver]

I didn't have "ContextPlus" on my computer, but "Apropos" was there!

I, too, had a blank Device Manager, missing Network Connections and "modem not found" message. None of my anti-spyware programs (Spybot, AdAware, PestPatrol or Spy Sweeper) were able to fix it.

The AproposFix.exe file worked and VERY QUICKLY!

Thank you for the posting and making the fix available to the rest of us! You've saved my sanity and the time I would have spent doing a clean install. Thank you!

Kerry

http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...AproposFix.exe
http://www.reesecomputing.com/downlo...ninstaller.exe

[Spectrex]

Originally Posted by persuazion

yes...but I cant type a website in the address bar because it will freeze up...I just have to use the search bar...and my comp isnt recognizing my modem but I can still get on the net.....?

Hi all,

I'm new here. Looks like this is a pretty good site for information. I've been building and repairing computers since the mid-1980s. I own Empire Systems in Plattsburgh, NY. We build custom systems and perform service work. We've been here for almost 5 years. I'm hoping that my experience will add to the good diagnostics that I've seen displayed here by the rest of you.

Anyway, I found this site looking for a solution for one of my customer's computers. He hasn't used the computer much since I built it for him, but this week he tried to get online using dial-up, but kept getting an error message about it not having a modem. I tried changing modems, but couldn't remove the old one because the device manager was blank. I opened WinXP in Safe Mode, and all the devices were there. Did anyone else notice this?

His daughter has another problem with her dial-up connection, but I believe it's a problem with their ISP, since the modem dials, but disconnects while trying to send the username and password (error 732). Everything else looks ok on that 'puter. Worked fine one day, and didn't work the next.

I have yet to try the solutions I've found tonight, but I'm sure one of them will fix the problem when I get a chance to look at it tomorrow.

One more thing.... since I replied to persuazion's post, I might as well pass on what I learned when I ran into that problem. Here goes:

I was having trouble with my laptop a month or so ago. Same as you, I couldn't use the Address Bar in IE, but it worked fine if I used the Google search bar. Windows Explorer would show the hourglass for several seconds before showing the drive and other info.

This problem started soon after I did a few Windoze updates.... coincidence? Probably not. What I ended up doing was disabling Windows Image Acquisition (WIA) in the system Services. Works great now, except that it no longer recognized my camera's SD or Compact Flash cards when I insert them. I can still access them from Windows Explorer (or My Computer), but they won't open automatically. No big deal for me, but I wish MS would get off their butts and fix this glitch. I haven't been able to find a "proper" solution yet.

Hope this helps you out. Good luck!

[Spectrex]

Anybody here? Hello