empty device manager...

[Guest]

Long story short...device manager is empty, computer will not create a restore point (missing files) and I can not download system updates or use automatic updates (disabling or uninstalling my Norton AV altogether does not help). Plug and Play is enabled and running on automatic. I brought it in to have it fixed and they took off about 300 pieces of spyware and the like but still no device manager. I took it back and told them to erase the harddrive and reinstall XP. They reinstalled XP over top the original insallation but I didn't quibble as I now (then) had a populated device manager. I got it home set-up my internet to find a driver for my sound card only to rediscover that my device manager was again empty. I have multiple spyware utilities and can not see anything unusual registry wise.

 

[Quentin David Jones]

Greetings,

I'd try a REPAIR install (if you have the XP CD)

Boot from the XP CD,
do NOT choose the first Repair (with Console)
instead, continue further until it searches for previous Windows -
then, if it DOES find a previous Windows, chose the REPAIR on it.

That is the standard way of fixing the OS without changing files or
settings.

BEWARE - your XP CD may not be exactly like above - so CAREFULLY read each
screen as you go, do NOT proceed to OVERWRITE the old Windows.


Then, I would suggest keeping your PC clean with the AntiSpyware - I
recommend the following as the best of the FREEWARE -

AdAware from Lavasoft (Cleaner)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
Install, update, scan weekly

SpyBot Search and Destroy (Cleaner + Blocker)
http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
Install, update, immunise, scan weekly

Spyware Blaster 3 (Blocker)
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
Install, update, enable protection 2 types



Quentin

Long story short...device manager is empty, computer will not create a

restore point (missing files) and I can not download system updates or use
automatic updates (disabling or uninstalling my Norton AV altogether does
not help). Plug and Play is enabled and running on automatic. I brought it
in to have it fixed and they took off about 300 pieces of spyware and the
like but still no device manager. I took it back and told them to erase the
harddrive and reinstall XP. They reinstalled XP over top the original
insallation but I didn't quibble as I now (then) had a populated device
manager. I got it home set-up my internet to find a driver for my sound
card only to rediscover that my device manager was again empty. I have
multiple spyware utilities and can not see anything unusual registry wise.

 

[Guest]

I tried booting form the XP cd and got no where...it does not give me a repair option...and I'm quite certain that I looked through every option available on the disk.

I have all 3 of spyware programs but seem to have trouble with Spy-Bot as it stalls each and every time at the same file count (14297) while scanning for Winpup32. I tried it in safe mode as well...it scans fewer files but completes the scan with no real issues.

Thanks for the suggestions.

 

[Quentin David Jones]

Hi again

I tried booting form the XP cd and got no where...it does not give me a

repair option...and I'm quite certain that I looked through every option
available on the disk.

Perhaps its best to do a fresh install.

You can ease the work by using the
Files and Settings Transfers Wizard
on the CD

I have all 3 of spyware programs but seem to have trouble with Spy-Bot as

it stalls each and every time at the same file count (14297) while scanning
for Winpup32. I tried it in safe mode as well...it scans fewer files but
completes the scan with no real issues.


Make sure you UPDATE before scan...

Quentin