Device manager is blank

Anonymous
2009-10-18T10:41:49+00:00

I tried Microsofts suggestion of clicking on plug and play and making sure it was set on automatic but that didn't work.

Windows for home | Previous Windows versions | Devices and drivers

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Anonymous
2009-10-20T17:05:54+00:00

Hello Estridge48,

Thank you for your post.  Try the following registry edit to resolve your issue:

  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.

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

Modifying REGISTRY settings incorrectly can cause serious problems that may prevent your computer from booting properly. Microsoft cannot guarantee that any problems resulting from the configuring of REGISTRY settings can be solved. Modifications of these settings are at your own risk.

Please let us know if  this did or didn't help to resolve your problem.

Cheers

Jason Microsoft Answers Support Engineer Visit our Microsoft Answers Feedback Forum and let us know what you think.

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  1. Anonymous
    2010-01-06T22:06:13+00:00

    I've followed this, and nothing happened. Device manager is still empty. I have a new external hard drive connected via a USB port. It should be plug and play, but as far as my computer is concerned, it doesn't exist.

    HELP!

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-01-05T23:48:22+00:00

    It did not work.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-12-30T03:56:04+00:00

    Hi. I am having the same issue with Device Manager being empty. I have tried everything listed above...Plug and Play is good, Enum permissions were already there, there were no corrupt registry keys left by SP3. I started to do an XP repair installation, but when I booted from the CD the 'Repair' option was not there so I quit out of fear of losing all of my settings and programs.

    I get an iPODService error after hooking up my iPOD and opening iTunes. I think it is related to device manager not being populated, but could be wrong.

    Any other suggestions for the device manager issue?

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-12-28T15:56:49+00:00

    I followed the procedure but - system security said - unable to save permission changes on Enum

     - I solved that by opening regedt.exe as administrator but then received a different refusal ! 'Registry editor could not set security in the key currently selected or, or some of its subkeys'  - - - -So - I've authorised 'Administrator as a user and logged in - low and behold the  Device Manager is 'normal' so I'll proceed with sorting the graphics and later see if the device Manager is ok for the other users = - - - I'm not holding my breath 1  Note - I'm in Win 7 - -

    Thanks

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