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
    2010-01-05T23:48:22+00:00

    It did not work.

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  2. 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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  3. Anonymous
    2010-01-11T17:13:14+00:00

    I did everything in the order you have posted. when i get to the advanced window i dont see the "reset permissions on all child objects..." and once i have checked the right boxes for "everyone" and "system" and click apply it gives me a windows security box that reads "Unable to save permission changes on enum. access is denied" I'm stuck...

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-02-12T01:26:14+00:00

    Exact same issue as above. Access was denied.

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