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@adriveriam wrote:

I'm having problems signing onto Aol because the device manager is missing a "Plug-n-Play services file".  I had called aol and they are the ones that pointed it out and said I needed to call dell to get the file re-enable, however they what me pay $99 for the help. So if anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated.  Apparently, according to aol there have been a number of people having this problem.

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Is this what You're looking for?

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;311504

thank  you for the infor, however i tried this , plug in play shows automatic.

but i still cannot sign on aol. aol says the plug in play need to be reenabled, that this device manager

is only showing where the plug & play is located. 

help ???

hello

i am having the same problem, i have to reenable plug and play according to aol.  the device manager

is blank.  i am so mad at aol, they created this problem but running updates on 9.0 se edition and this

disenabled all plug and play.  i called them, they offered a month credit, big deal, i am still without

my aol 9.0 se. oh yes, they even had me uninstall 9.0 , then install 8.0 and then reupgrade back to 9.0se.  well, i cannot get signed onto 9.0 it says error, missing files and aol will restart computer to fix problem and then my computer restarts with the same thing over again.  i can sign onto 8.0 but i have

lost all my favorites and my filing cabinet with aol.  i called dell and they want $99 to help me.

i have been working this dilemma since 8am this morning, i am ready to throw this computer out.

thanks, can anyone who is a computer geek help ???????????????

Message Edited by adriveriam on 11-21-2005 03:43 PM

this is what dell told me to do:

i also loaded 8.0 but they aol had me unload 9.0 and doing that i lost all my favorites and filing cabinet

which i am so mad about:

dell:\http://support.dell.com/support/topics/global.aspx/support/kb/en/document?dn=1056001&l=en&langid=1&c=us&cs=19&s=dhs

Why am I unable to access the Windows Device Manager in Microsoft® Windows® XP?

Problem

When trying to access the Device Manager in Windows XP, you may receive an error message or the Device Manager may appear blank.

Discussion

This can occur when the Plug and Play service is disabled or is not selected as a startup service in the Microsoft System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG).

Solution

Check the Plug and Play Service to Startup in MSCONFIG

To check on the status of the Plug and Play service from within MSCONFIG, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, click Run, and then type in the Open box msconfig. Click OK.
   The Microsoft System Configuration Utility window appears.
   
2. Click the Services tab.
3. Verify that the Hide all Microsoft Services checkbox is not checked; if it is, uncheck it.
4. Scroll down the list of services until you see the service named Plug and Play.
5. Click to check Plug and Play if the box is currently unchecked.
   
   NOTE: If you are still having difficulty accessing the Device Manager or the Status displayed in MSCONFIG is listed as Stopped, proceed to the next section to enable the Plug and Play service.
   
   

Enable the Plug and Play Service

To enable the Plug and Play service in a system where it is disabled, perform the following steps:

1. Click the Start button, right-click My Computer, and then left-click Manage.
   The Computer Management window appears.
   
2. Click Services and Applications, and then click Services.
3. Click the tab labeled Standard, and scroll down to Plug and Play.
4. Double-click Plug and Play.
   
   NOTE: If a warning dialog box appears, click OK.
   
   The Plug and Play Properties window appears.
   
   
   
   
5. Click to change the Startup Type to Manual, and then click Apply.
   
   NOTE: If a warning dialog box appears, click OK.
   
   
   
   
   
6. Under the Service Status section of the Plug and Play Properties windows, click the Start button.
   This will start the Plug and Play service.
   
7. Click OK on the Plug and Play Properties.
   You should now be able to access the Device Manager.
   

DetailsDocument Number:

HO1056001

Release Date:

09/05/2001

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i got to step 6: and this is what i got:

i did all of the solution you suggested except i get to # 6
step of enable the plug and play service,
under the service status section , the start button is grayed out out, there
is no options to click the start button. i reaccessed the device manager
window and it is still white, blank.
the start up type says manual and the services status says started.

any idea now :
the device manager is still white blank

i feel your concern, i just dont know what to do, i am going to just wait a week and see if aol will install

their patch and then perhaps i can go back to 9.0 and then hopefully all will work but i dont have

much trust that it will, i am certainly going to ask aol for a month adjustment or more. i dont know

if i will have to hire someone computer person to come work on my system.

it would seem with so many people in this forum and so many smart computer experts that someone

would have the answer.  maybe everyone is busy this time of year.