Device Manager list empty

[flush99]

Hi guys, i'm using winxp pro sp1 and recently i found out that my device manager list is empty. Any idea how to solve the problem?

[LooseChippings]

Is there a '+' sign next to the computer icon?

If yes either click the '+' sign or double click the computer icon.

[flush99]

Its really empty, there's no nothing at all in the device manager list.

[curtybob]

are you having any trouble with a device? sometimes windows gets caught up on a problem device and forgets what it's doing. I think it's a form of ADD.

[ESALADUANE]

Is your Plug and Play service turned off (disabled)?

1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Double-click Plug and Play.

If you receive a Configuration Manager message, click OK.

3. In the Startup Type list, click Automatic, and then click OK.
4. Close Services.
5. Reboot

Plug and Play is a core operating system service, and therefore, it is best to not disable it. It runs in normal mode and in safe mode.

[Lovepeaceguru]

I have a partial resolution to my problem!

Thanks to everyone who offered help.

First option was check that PuNP was started - OK. Later I discovered that Universal PuNP must NOT be started!

Second option was Aproposfix which I assume is to get rid of some specific spyware/adware/malware.

Third was I tried editing some permissions in the registry but I didn't really understand what I was doing.

Fourth was I ran sfc/scannow - whatever that is!

Also system was hanging on startups and shutdowns, sometimes needing the big switch to get out of it. Now you can click on IE or My Computer or Control Panel and it takes ages for them to load. Usually I find myself with about five instances of each all loading at once.

Frequently web links won't work. The only thing I can do is avoid a left click - use right clicks to save shortcut and then paste it into address bar. I have tpo switch back and forth betwen web browsers using teh Task Manager. OIften the Task Manager itself freezes with the button still "pressed down".

I've also been using my SpeedUpMyPC utility which allows you to give CPU priority to a particular window. A combination of this, Task Manager and a hell of a lot of patience just about keeps me going

Oh, and I updated all my chipset drivers along the way.

MY DEVICE MANAGER WINDOW IS NOW FULLY POPULATED!!!!!

Oh joy! The printer is working too. The solution? It was to do with permissions. I had to spend a lot more time and give a lot more thought to it. (I still don't understand it properly). It's in HKEY Local Machine "Enum"
whatever that means?

So many thanks to the Annoyances.org forum which first gave me the idea for that fix.

BUT!!

Some things are better like loading IE or My Computer or Control Panel. They're still slow though and I can still find myself with loads more browser windows open that I need. On IE though browsing still suffers froim the same problem. Links won't work. I have to copy shortcut and paste into another window.

Java linlks often don't wprk eiuther. I uninstalled and re-installed Java. Maybe there's some slightimprovement but browsing is still a pain.

So now it comes down to a performance problem, mainly in IE.

Shall I uninstall and reinstall IE?

Why has this happened. Could Malware/spyware viruses be reponsible?

Any help gratefully received and because it's only fair, I'll make sure every forum gets a full report when it's all fixed (It will be won't it?)

System Description

INTEL P4 3.4GHz, socket 775
ASUS P5GD1-VM motherboard, onboard LAN (Intel Pro 100), onboard graphics and audio disabled
American Megatrends BIOS version 1010.005
2 x 512MB PC3200 400MHz DDR
200GB Maxtor serial ATA drive - C
500GB Seagate serial ATA drive - D
Samsung/Toshiba DVD writer - E
Sony Q28A DVD writer - F
Sony DRX-810UL external DVD writer on USB - G
ATI All in Wonder X800XL graphics card
Creative Soundblaster XFi Xtreme Music sound card
Logitech Dinovo Media keyboard, seperate keyboard and numeric panel/remote with mouse on powered USB hub
Logitech Communicate STX webcam

I run Windows XP Home Service Pack, fully updated. I defragment with Perfect Disk at least once per week.

I use the following security software:

Norton Internet Security 2006
Ad-Aware SE
Spyware Doctor
Spy Bot
Microsoft Antispyware
Spyware Blaster
Spy Sweeper

All are updated regularly and full scans performed at least every other day.

I also use Registry Mechanic at least once per day. And this episode has added about a dozen other utilities to my amoury.

[zaedi_ahmed]

Well brother,

Sorry, I couldn't understand your solution. Could u be more specific and step-by-step.

Specially
"Third was I tried editing some permissions in the registry but I didn't really understand what I was doing."

And Regarding your slowness of IE I guess I have some sort of solution If that fits your scenerio which is following:

01. Install the AVG free edition (Note that the Internet connection must be turned off).

02. Select the "Prompt me for action whether to clean or the virus/spyware infected file". Well the option is not exactally as I wrote but the meaning is the same.

03. Restart the PC and press F8 for "Advanced Mode".

04. In Advanced Mode select "Safe Mode".

05. Log in with your administrative previllage and start scanning your whole PC with AVG.

06. What will happen is AVG will remove the spyware from infected file and restore it to its original location.

Thank You and hope to get your reply soon.

[whos_huw]

Hi I have a similar problem as mentioned above. I was installing a new SATA drive in to my laptop after the reboot i had no sound, on checking the volume control it says "there are no active mixer devices available." I checked Sounds and Audio Devices where it says "No Audio Devices" Checked the device manager and the list is empty expect for "....[computer icon] (comptuer name)"
I have a Dell Latitude D410 about 2 and a half years old running XP Professional.

Any and all help will be appreciated.

P.S. I have already tried Start>run>services.msc turning PnP and Windows Audio off and back on again in Safe and normal mode, using restore points from a couple of days ago. The restore points wouldn't restore and the secvices window did nothing either
P.S.S and to rub salt in to the wound the sata drive didn't even work so that been uninstalled as well

[TechMAN]

Originally Posted by ESALADUANE

Is your Plug and Play service turned off (disabled)?

1. Click Start, click Run, type services.msc, and then click OK.
2. Double-click Plug and Play.

If you receive a Configuration Manager message, click OK.

3. In the Startup Type list, click Automatic, and then click OK.
4. Close Services.
5. Reboot

Plug and Play is a core operating system service, and therefore, it is best to not disable it. It runs in normal mode and in safe mode.

I got the same issue and this is exactly what the problem was. Thanks so much, I had to registered on this from just to day Good Job!

[CarolBPeter]

All of my devices have disappeared as well. My power went, purchased new and had geek squad put it in... (I've posted about my lack of sound elsewhere, which was gone before the power). When I turned on my computer, all of my devices were gone. It says the usb's are working - but my scanner, printer, everything connected to the usb's - are not listed. I thought perhaps I had replugged everything (had to unplug to take the stupid thing down to best buy) into the wrong slots (I didn't think that mattered) so I have unplugged, booted, replugged, booted - still nothing. Here is my info, from belarc:

Operating System System Model
Windows XP Professional Service Pack 2 (build 2600) Enclosure Type: Desktop
Processor a Main Circuit Board b
2.00 gigahertz Intel Celeron
8 kilobyte primary memory cache
128 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: First International Computer, Inc. VC37/VG31 PCB 1.x
Bus Clock: 100 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 12/28/2002
Drives Memory Modules c,d
274.87 Gigabytes Usable Hard Drive Capacity
223.36 Gigabytes Hard Drive Free Space

HP DVD Writer 1040d [CD-ROM drive]
3.5" format removeable media [Floppy drive]

WDC WD1600JB-00FUA0 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 1, s/n WD-WMAES1834094, rev 15.05R15, SMART Status: Healthy
WDC WD1600JB-00GVC0 [Hard drive] (160.04 GB) -- drive 0, s/n WD-WCAL96263030, rev 08.02D08, SMART Status: Healthy 1016 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'DIMM1' has 512 MB
Slot 'DIMM2' has 512 MB
Local Drive Volumes

c: (NTFS on drive N) 137.44 GB 104.51 GB free
d: (NTFS on drive N) 137.44 GB 118.85 GB free

Network Drives
None detected
Users (mouse over user name for details) Printers
local user accounts last logon
Administrator 3/2/2008 12:23:45 PM (admin)
Carol 5/24/2008 2:28:32 PM (admin)
local system accounts
Guest 5/24/2008 10:17:41 AM
HelpAssistant never
KIDS never
LAPTOP never
SUPPORT_388945a0 never


Marks a disabled account; Marks a locked account Adobe PDF Converter on My Documents\*.pdf
Adobe PDF Converter on \\PC270429458147\Printer8
Amyuni Document Converter 2.50 on LPT1:
Amyuni Document Converter 2.50 on LPT1:
Amyuni PDF Converter 2.07 on LPT1:
HP Color LaserJet 2600n on LPT1:
Microsoft Office Document Image Writer Driver on Microsoft Document Imaging Writer Port:
SnagIt 8 Printer on C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\TechSmith\SnagIt 8\PrinterPortFile
WinFax on FaxModem
WinFax (Photo Quality) on FaxModem (Photo Quality)

Controllers Display
Standard floppy disk controller
Intel(R) 82801DB Ultra ATA Storage Controller - 24CB
Primary IDE Channel [Controller]
Secondary IDE Channel [Controller] Diamond S9250 PCI 256 DDR [Display adapter]
Diamond S9250 PCI 256 DDR - Secondary [Display adapter]
Samsung SyncMaster [Monitor] (19.1"vis, s/n H4KY502622, May 2005)
Bus Adapters Multimedia
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB 2.0 Enhanced Host Controller - 24CD
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C2
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C4
Intel(R) 82801DB/DBM USB Universal Host Controller - 24C7 Unimodem Half-Duplex Audio Device
Communications Other Devices
56Kbps Internal Modem
Standard 56000 bps Modem


1394 Net Adapter
Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
primary Auto IP Address: 192.168.0.2 / 24
Gateway: 192.168.0.1
Dhcp Server: 192.168.0.1
Physical Address: 00:40:CA:48:C9:46

Networking Dns Servers: 192.168.0.1
205.171.3.65
OHCI Compliant IEEE 1394 Host Controller
Standard 101/102-Key or Microsoft Natural PS/2 Keyboard
PS/2 Compatible Mouse
USB Root Hub (4x)
MTP Device
Virus Protection [Back to Top]
Norton 360 Version 2007
Realtime File Scanning On


If i could get my printer back, I'd be a happy camper - not perfect (i'd still like the damn sound) but happy.

[Disk_Contented]

Originally Posted by CarolBPeter

If i could get my printer back, I'd be a happy camper - not perfect (i'd still like the damn sound) but happy.

Originally Posted by Disk_Contented

I think you need to consider the possibility the mainboard has a problem. You said earlier that the psu blew up, your dvd drive burned out.
If the usb controllers are present, but not working ports, it's a possibility. You should have at least some sort of operation from them.
Check the bios for modem USB and sound. Disable the modem

You reposted the problem, but didn't reply?