Found New Hardware -- Mass Storage Device

[husky86]

I'm using Windows XP Pro on a laptop. Each time I restart the computer I get
a message that new hardware has been found. I get the "Welcome to the Found
New Hardware Wizard" window.

As I go through the process of attempting to set up the new hardware and/or
determine the underlying missing driver (or other malfunction), I am informed
that the software driver the Wizard is looking for is in relation to "Mass
Storage Device."

This is very interesting, especially because I HAVE INSTALLED NO NEW
HARDWARE WHATSOEVER IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS in association with this
laptop. (The laptop is about 3 1/2 years old.) This error code started
showing up about 4-6 weeks ago. (Since that time I have been Googling
anything and everything I could on the subject, with no success.)

At the end of this process (last window in the Wizard) I am informed that
"The hardware was not installed because the Wizard cannot find the necessary
software."

At the bottom of this window there is a checkbox having to do with "Don't
prompt me again to install this software." Even though the box is checked
each and every time I go through this process, it always brings this Wizard
backup each and every time I restart the computer.

After clicking on the Finish button, I am presented again with the Wizard.
This time, it wants to install drivers for a new piece of hardware entitled
"Unknown." Everything that applies to the "Mass Storage Device" above applies
to the unsuccessful installation of this latest Wizard process.

Going into the Device Manager and manually uninstalling these yellow
question marks associated with this Mass Storage Device and Unknown hardware
doesn't do anything either. Upon the next restart, I am still presented with
the same Wizard.

I have also been experiencing a significant increase in the blue screen of
death. I'm getting it now 3-4 times per week. I have no idea if any of this
is related, but I'm suspicious. The specific codes associated with the blue
screen of death seem to be new almost each and every time. Rarely are they
the same code.

The latest code from this morning is 0x0000000A.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

 

[DL]

It sounds like you are missing drivers from your Laptop manufacturer
Have you either upgraded to winxp from another o/s or have you clean
installed winxp? or maybe used winupdate for drivers?

 

[husky86]

Hi DL,

I did not upgrade from any other OS.

I haven't done a clean install.

I have automatic updating turned on as far as the regular Microsoft updates.

Thanks!

 

[DL]

Visit your Laptop manufacturers site and download install drivers relevent
to your system - probably chipset drivers
Review your winupdate settings, set it to install *Critical* updates only
Downloading updated drivers from MS Update frequently breaks a working sys

 

[Anna]

It sounds like you are missing drivers from your Laptop manufacturer
Have you either upgraded to winxp from another o/s or have you clean
installed winxp? or maybe used winupdate for drivers?

Hi DL,

I did not upgrade from any other OS.

I haven't done a clean install.

I have automatic updating turned on as far as the regular Microsoft
updates.

site and download install drivers relevent to your system - probably
chipset drivers
Review your winupdate settings, set it to install *Critical* updates only
Downloading updated drivers from MS Update frequently breaks a working sys

husky...
While it's possible a driver issue may be involved here, I'm not so sure
that's the problem.

You haven't recently installed a new flash drive, or external HDD, or some
such, have you?

It surely would be well the check your system for any malware. Can we assume
you've been routinely employing an A-V program and you're reasonably certain
your system is free of malware?

Have you run the sfc /scannow command and the chkdsk /r command? That would
be a good idea at this point. Just remember that before you do, copy any
important files/folders that are important to you to another destination.
Particularly important before running the chkdsk /r command.

DL's suggestion to check with your laptop's manufacturer is always good
idea; not only for any updated drivers or other upgrades that may be listed
on the site re your particular laptop model, but to also contact tech
support to determine if they can shed any light on a problem you're having
with your system. There may, for example, be a BIOS upgrade that the manuf.
recommends to resolve the problem.
Anna

 

[M.I.5¾]

I'm using Windows XP Pro on a laptop. Each time I restart the computer I
get
a message that new hardware has been found. I get the "Welcome to the
Found
New Hardware Wizard" window.

As I go through the process of attempting to set up the new hardware
and/or
determine the underlying missing driver (or other malfunction), I am
informed
that the software driver the Wizard is looking for is in relation to "Mass
Storage Device."

This is very interesting, especially because I HAVE INSTALLED NO NEW
HARDWARE WHATSOEVER IN THE PAST COUPLE OF YEARS in association with this
laptop. (The laptop is about 3 1/2 years old.) This error code started
showing up about 4-6 weeks ago. (Since that time I have been Googling
anything and everything I could on the subject, with no success.)

At the end of this process (last window in the Wizard) I am informed that
"The hardware was not installed because the Wizard cannot find the
necessary
software."

At the bottom of this window there is a checkbox having to do with "Don't
prompt me again to install this software." Even though the box is checked
each and every time I go through this process, it always brings this
Wizard
backup each and every time I restart the computer.

After clicking on the Finish button, I am presented again with the Wizard.
This time, it wants to install drivers for a new piece of hardware
entitled
"Unknown." Everything that applies to the "Mass Storage Device" above
applies
to the unsuccessful installation of this latest Wizard process.

Going into the Device Manager and manually uninstalling these yellow
question marks associated with this Mass Storage Device and Unknown
hardware
doesn't do anything either. Upon the next restart, I am still presented
with
the same Wizard.

I have also been experiencing a significant increase in the blue screen of
death. I'm getting it now 3-4 times per week. I have no idea if any of
this
is related, but I'm suspicious. The specific codes associated with the
blue
screen of death seem to be new almost each and every time. Rarely are they
the same code.

The latest code from this morning is 0x0000000A.

Thanks in advance for any and all suggestions!

I am assuming here that inspite of the failed attempt to install your
mystery device, everything nevertheless works properly.

I have known a few instances where windows insists on installing apparently
non existent hardware (though sometimes it does turn out to be real
hardware). The trick is to follow the install process through right up to
the point where it wants to install the "Unknown" hardware. Allow it to do
so and then do not delete the hardware in device manager that shows with the
yellow '!' symbol. Windows should not then try to install it again.

The blue screen of death may be unrelated, but the contents of the error
logging file should provide clues.