One thing you might check is to start the computer in Safe Mode and check Device Manager for that device. I have seen in the past (though not in quite a while) where a failed install creates an entry in Device Manager, and that entry prevents the device from being properly installed.
Also, make sure to install the software/drivers before you connect the USB device to the computer (although it sounds like you already knew that). The problem I describe above is usually created by connecting a device that Windows does not have a driver for.
Tried the Safe Mode thing just now but nothing showed up. Also tried installing the camera to the usb in Safe Mode both after and before boot up.
The thing that comes to mind is that I tried to install my mobile phone software a while back and this is when I first recall the problem. The Cd software,drivers etc loaded up fine but this scenario with the wizard kept occuring when connecting to a usb port. I kept re/uninstalling until I gave up and decided to leave well enough alone.
However I went to Add/Remove programs to remove the various programs the cd had installed and removed all but one of the newly installed programs.The last one goes through the uninstall process and tells me it was successfully removed but the item still remains in the add/remove list.
When I run a keyword search in all folders and files including hidden nothing turns up. The program is Samsung pc studio 3. I've even searched for just "Samsung", "studio" etc individually but nothing relevant comes of it.
Could the unsuccessful removal of this program upset things. I can still remove other programs with no problem.
Maybe the hardware wizard is caught in some kind of loop because of this. Hmm I'm starting to sound like doctor who :smileyhappy:
Well Thanks again for the reply and I hope my additional info is food for thought.
This is starting to sound like a registry entry from a removed (or improperly installed) program is the culprit. I know others have the names (i'm horrible with names) but there are a few programs out there that will clean out registry entries for programs that have been removed but didn't remove everything. You might try looking for one of those utilities and then try reinstalling the software and then connecting the hardware to see if it will clear up the problem.
Out of curiosity, have you tried installing that same hardware (software first, then connecting it) on another machine to make sure that isn't the problem?
Sorry to take so long to get back and thank you once again for your suggestions.
I've tried a registry cleaner called Cr*p Cleaner which is one of the more gently cleaners I believe and it did come up with some entries for Samsung etc which I deleted and I then went through the install process again a few times, but sadly the problem is still there. I can always return the removed registry entries as they are saved. I'm fairly sure now that there are probably some more obscurely names entries related to this particular software that I wouldn't be able to recognise, one of which may be the cause of my problems I'm having although I'm certainly keeping an open mind as to the what might have happened.
I must check my system restore dates to see if they go back prior to the first install where my problems started but it was a while ago this situation originally occurred.
I 'll try the install on another computer to see how that goes but it might not be for a day or two. But a good idea I must say. :smileyhappy:
Definitely make a restore point on that other computer first, just in case. :D
As for doing system restore on your system, if the restore point hasn't been deleted then you should be able to use it. On newer (i.e., larger) hard drives the default about of space reserved for system restore can be enough to go back quite a ways (2 or 3 months at least, if it only creates a restore point once a week). Updates to Windows, however, may shorten the number of points you can go back to due to changes in the underlying Windows configuration (e.g., after upgrading to SP2, all SP1 and older restore points are automatically removed to prevent problems if you accidentally use one; I believe this is the case with XP SP3 as well).
Sorry for the gap in reply to your suggestion but I've been on holiday:smileyhappy: . I'd hoped to come back and find the problem gone ha ha.
My system restore doesn't go back far enough, I restored to the earliest date available but to no avail, so I've restored back to the most current set up. Do you think it is possible that there is some kind of patch available specifically capable of only repairing my USB drivers? Would I need a different one for each driver or is it something I could get from DELL if they knew my computer details, but I'm not able to find my purchase information as it was a fair while ago?
I recently downloaded a program from Microsoft, it checks that all your Windows files etc are in good working order, however part way through it would ask me to use the installation disc that came with my computer. As it came with SP1 and I'm now on SP3 I was a bit dubious of using it and cancelled the check. However I wonder if its okay to use this disc as it would only be repairing specific faults ,not re-installing Windows.
Well I've got to say I'm pretty stumped on this one.
Any further ideas or suggestions welcomed. Thank you.
I am having the same type of problem with my Inspiron 6000. I have tried many, many suggested repairs with no luck. I have updated BIOS, cleared my .inf file, tried to install in safe mode all without luck.
It is not just one hardware device, but all hardware devices. I would love to know if you ever resolved this
Larry R
2 Intern
•
1.7K Posts
0
July 8th, 2008 15:00
One thing you might check is to start the computer in Safe Mode and check Device Manager for that device. I have seen in the past (though not in quite a while) where a failed install creates an entry in Device Manager, and that entry prevents the device from being properly installed.
Also, make sure to install the software/drivers before you connect the USB device to the computer (although it sounds like you already knew that). The problem I describe above is usually created by connecting a device that Windows does not have a driver for.
delboy123
4 Posts
0
July 8th, 2008 18:00
Thanks for suggestions DELL-Larry_R
Yeah followed the install as you mentioned.
Tried the Safe Mode thing just now but nothing showed up. Also tried installing the camera to the usb in Safe Mode both after and before boot up.
The thing that comes to mind is that I tried to install my mobile phone software a while back and this is when I first recall the problem. The Cd software,drivers etc loaded up fine but this scenario with the wizard kept occuring when connecting to a usb port. I kept re/uninstalling until I gave up and decided to leave well enough alone.
However I went to Add/Remove programs to remove the various programs the cd had installed and removed all but one of the newly installed programs.The last one goes through the uninstall process and tells me it was successfully removed but the item still remains in the add/remove list.
When I run a keyword search in all folders and files including hidden nothing turns up. The program is Samsung pc studio 3. I've even searched for just "Samsung", "studio" etc individually but nothing relevant comes of it.
Could the unsuccessful removal of this program upset things. I can still remove other programs with no problem.
Maybe the hardware wizard is caught in some kind of loop because of this. Hmm I'm starting to sound like doctor who :smileyhappy:
Well Thanks again for the reply and I hope my additional info is food for thought.
All suggestions gratefully recieved
Del
Larry R
2 Intern
•
1.7K Posts
0
July 8th, 2008 19:00
This is starting to sound like a registry entry from a removed (or improperly installed) program is the culprit. I know others have the names (i'm horrible with names) but there are a few programs out there that will clean out registry entries for programs that have been removed but didn't remove everything. You might try looking for one of those utilities and then try reinstalling the software and then connecting the hardware to see if it will clear up the problem.
Out of curiosity, have you tried installing that same hardware (software first, then connecting it) on another machine to make sure that isn't the problem?
delboy123
4 Posts
0
July 10th, 2008 20:00
Hi there DELL-Larry_R
Sorry to take so long to get back and thank you once again for your suggestions.
I've tried a registry cleaner called Cr*p Cleaner which is one of the more gently cleaners I believe and it did come up with some entries for Samsung etc which I deleted and I then went through the install process again a few times, but sadly the problem is still there. I can always return the removed registry entries as they are saved. I'm fairly sure now that there are probably some more obscurely names entries related to this particular software that I wouldn't be able to recognise, one of which may be the cause of my problems I'm having although I'm certainly keeping an open mind as to the what might have happened.
I must check my system restore dates to see if they go back prior to the first install where my problems started but it was a while ago this situation originally occurred.
I 'll try the install on another computer to see how that goes but it might not be for a day or two. But a good idea I must say. :smileyhappy:
Thank you for your help
Del
Larry R
2 Intern
•
1.7K Posts
0
July 10th, 2008 20:00
Definitely make a restore point on that other computer first, just in case. :D
As for doing system restore on your system, if the restore point hasn't been deleted then you should be able to use it. On newer (i.e., larger) hard drives the default about of space reserved for system restore can be enough to go back quite a ways (2 or 3 months at least, if it only creates a restore point once a week). Updates to Windows, however, may shorten the number of points you can go back to due to changes in the underlying Windows configuration (e.g., after upgrading to SP2, all SP1 and older restore points are automatically removed to prevent problems if you accidentally use one; I believe this is the case with XP SP3 as well).
delboy123
4 Posts
0
July 25th, 2008 19:00
Thanks again for reply DELL-Larry_R,
Sorry for the gap in reply to your suggestion but I've been on holiday:smileyhappy: . I'd hoped to come back and find the problem gone ha ha.
My system restore doesn't go back far enough, I restored to the earliest date available but to no avail, so I've restored back to the most current set up. Do you think it is possible that there is some kind of patch available specifically capable of only repairing my USB drivers? Would I need a different one for each driver or is it something I could get from DELL if they knew my computer details, but I'm not able to find my purchase information as it was a fair while ago?
I recently downloaded a program from Microsoft, it checks that all your Windows files etc are in good working order, however part way through it would ask me to use the installation disc that came with my computer. As it came with SP1 and I'm now on SP3 I was a bit dubious of using it and cancelled the check. However I wonder if its okay to use this disc as it would only be repairing specific faults ,not re-installing Windows.
Well I've got to say I'm pretty stumped on this one.
Any further ideas or suggestions welcomed. Thank you.
Del
John Pacer
9 Posts
0
September 16th, 2008 20:00
I am having the same type of problem with my Inspiron 6000. I have tried many, many suggested repairs with no luck. I have updated BIOS, cleared my .inf file, tried to install in safe mode all without luck.
It is not just one hardware device, but all hardware devices. I would love to know if you ever resolved this
Thanks
John