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
    2010-05-10T18:50:10+00:00

    Thanks, the above solution has solved my problem on Win7 Ultimate x64

    www.arvindgaba.com

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  2. Anonymous
    2010-05-20T18:48:31+00:00

    on a computer literacy scale of 0-10. I am probably 2. but i have managed to solve this issue by reading all of your posts. I just want to thank all of you from bottom of my heart.  Now i am able to use my IPOD for itunes which  was not showing before. and i have my device manager working again.

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  3. Anonymous
    2010-07-27T20:56:42+00:00

    When going to "Security", "Permissions" menu: I do not have these options.

    Security is not part of the Enum options, much less Permissions.

    Now what??  Plug and Play is already Automatic . . .

    *** Email address is removed for privacy ***

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  4. Anonymous
    2010-08-31T03:03:59+00:00

    I have the same problem as Waterwarrior. I uninstalled PC Tools Firewall Plus and it made my device manager blank so I tried the registry edit mentioned as I can't control the Plug and Play service.

    Windows 7 Ultimate x64

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