Device manager is blank

Anonymous

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

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.

0 comments

Answer accepted by question author

Anonymous

Hello Estridge48,

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

Go to "Start", "Run", and enter "regedt32"
Maximize the "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE" window.
Scroll down to "SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Enum"
With "Enum" selected click the "Security", "Permissions" menu.

Note: At this point you will probably notice there are no permissions on this key.

Click "Add".
Add the group "Everyone" and the user "SYSTEM".
Select "Everyone" and check "Read" ONLY!
Select "SYSTEM" and check "Full Control".
Click the "Advanced" button at the bottom of the window.
On the Advanced window check "Reset permissions on all child objects..."
Click "OK"
On the warning window click "Yes"
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.

0 comments

54 additional answers

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.
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
Anonymous

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

i only got up to step 3 after that i dont see security
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
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
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments
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?
Was this answer helpful?

0 comments No comments