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
    2009-12-20T17:57:13+00:00

    i only got up to step 3 after that i dont see security

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-12-18T07:15:32+00:00

    It works !

    I'm from The Netherlands so i have to translate all the above in dutch but it works.

    I see the same group / user names 'Administrator' and 'Interactive'.

    I've added 'Everyone' ( ='Iedereen' in dutch) and 'System'

    I've granted Everyone the rights 'read' (checkbox 'read')

    I've granted SYSTEM the rights 'full controll' (checkbox 'totaal' in dutch)

    After that continue with:

    1. Click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.

    9a On the On the Advanced window select user 'SYSTEM' and then

    1. On the Advanced window check "Reset permissions on all child objects..."  (lowest checkbox)
    2. Click "OK"
    3. On the warning window click "Yes"
    4. Close REGEDT32 (don't forget ok or apply)

    After that my 'device manager' was working again.

    thnx for the help and success for those who haven't completed this fix.

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  3. Anonymous
    2009-10-25T23:32:36+00:00

    Try right clicking on Enum, that opened it for me.

    Ok it did open it for me, but Im having the same question as you:

    [quote]When I get to Permissions for Enum in the securities tab, I get the following under Group or user names:

    Administrators Paul-44A119FFFB\Administrators

    Interactive

    Should I continue with "add" as you suggested?[/quote]

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  4. Anonymous
    2009-10-24T18:48:01+00:00

    Try right clicking on Enum, that opened it for me.

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