Curse

Meneldil · Feb 12, 2006, 07:31 PM // 19:31

Add Hardware will not open.
Device Manager will not open.
I have to reinstall my display driver (graphics card)
I need help. This is serious now.

Kaguya · Feb 12, 2006, 07:34 PM // 19:34

Not much there is to say with that little info, did you install something new programs, or perhaps remove some?

But easiest solution: reinstall windows.

ubrikkean · Feb 12, 2006, 07:44 PM // 19:44

seconded... sounds like you might have deleted a necessary system file or something... a system restore/os reinstall is probably necessary

Tachyon · Feb 12, 2006, 07:44 PM // 19:44

What do you mean by they won't open? Do you get any sort of error message when you try to open, say Device Manager?

Meneldil · Feb 12, 2006, 08:18 PM // 20:18

Ok ADD HARDWARE will NOT open, i click and click and click, now i only have 9 fingers... gah... lol jk

and then device manager opens but shows my no... devices...

I am in COMPUTER HELL

LiQuId StEeL · Feb 12, 2006, 09:01 PM // 21:01

Reformat/reinstall Windows. Something got corrupted, and now you are having problems. Backup what you need, and pray you don't miss anything.

Tachyon · Feb 12, 2006, 10:53 PM // 22:53

Before you start to reformat, perhaps you should try a repair install of Windows. Depending on what flavour you have installed, you may find these links helpful.

XP Home - Single page - http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm

XP Home - Multi Page - http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...pair/index.htm

XP Pro - Single page - http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...exfullpage.htm

XP Pro - Multi page - http://www.windowsreinstall.com/winx...pair/index.htm

Old Dood · Feb 12, 2006, 10:56 PM // 22:56

What about a system restore?...go back a week or so...

Mister Overhill · Feb 12, 2006, 11:00 PM // 23:00

Stuff like this is why, before I retired from my mobile computer tech business, I recommended Norton GoBack (stand alone or part of SystemWorks) for all my customers. Let me tell you, they raved about it. Loads before Windows, is way better than Windows system restore, and can even solve software issues where the system will not boot, not even into safe mode. Not a cure-all, but can save you hours of trying to solve software issues, including bug related problems. It's the first thing that goes on my systems after Windows, even before I load drivers, etc.

Old Dood · Feb 12, 2006, 11:07 PM // 23:07

Hmm...I have Norton Internet Security. I always felt that was allot of Norton to have on my system...resource wise. Does this program come on Norton's System Works package? Or is it a stand alone product?

Mister Overhill · Feb 12, 2006, 11:26 PM // 23:26

Definitely part of SystemWorks (at least as far as the 2005 edition and probably 2006 as well). Even with SystemWorks, it was a separate install. Used to be available separately before and after Norton picked it up, and it may still be. As part of SystemWorks, it does not require the validation code to load it (at least as far as the 2005 version -- I haven't seen 2006).

Meneldil · Feb 13, 2006, 01:06 AM // 01:06

system restore isnt working either...

everything was just fine a yesterday morning.... and now... ... now.... ... *starts crying*

Tachyon · Feb 13, 2006, 02:11 AM // 02:11

Try a 'repair' install before you start re-formatting everything. Just follow the link that applies to your XP version in my post above. That way you, hopefully, don't lose all your installed software.

However, if you do go ahead and completely re-format then I always like to install Windows in it's own partition. Something along the lines of a 5GB partition should be OK. You can alway's expand or lessen it at a later date.

Meneldil · Feb 14, 2006, 10:51 PM // 22:51

guys just wanted to say that i repaired everything, but i decided i want to reformat everything to basically clean up my computer.