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

Locked Question. This question was migrated from the Microsoft Support Community. You can vote on whether it's helpful, but you can't add comments or replies or follow the question.

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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
    2009-10-24T14:14:35+00:00

    I'm having the same problem, my device manager is empty.  Like Estridge, I had no success in Microsofts solution, and I did try the suggestion listed here by Jason.  Everything was fine until I was in the "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum" part.  I didn't find the "Security", "Permissions" menu with "Enum" selected.

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  2. Anonymous
    2009-10-24T18:45:48+00:00

    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?

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

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

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  4. 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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