It all depends on if the operating system considers the install to be server
side or client side. If it is client side the user will need to be a local
administrator and often the problem is that the .inf file or drivers are not
signed. The link below explains this in much more detail even though it is
about printer install the info applies to other devices. --- Steve
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;326473&Product=winxp
MORE INFORMATION
Windows XP supports two methods to install a Plug and Play device:
server-side installation and client-side installation. Both methods can be
used on a single computer.
Windows XP uses server-side installation when you are not required to
provide additional information to install your Plug and Play printer. If the
manufacturer of your device provides complete preinstallation information in
the .inf file and the .pnf file, and the files are trusted (digitally
signed), Windows XP can use server-side installation to install the device.
Server-side installations do not require intervention by an administrator.
Windows XP uses client-side installation when you have to provide additional
information to install your Plug and Play printer. In client-side
installation, you can select the driver files, the path to the files, and
other options. However, when Windows XP uses client-side installation, you
must provide administrator credentials.
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Server-side Installations
A server-side installation is a device installation that is performed
entirely by the Plug and Play manager. A server-side installation can occur
only if the following conditions are true: . A bus driver detects the device
and notifies Plug and Play Manager.
. Plug and Play Manager finds an .inf file that contains a hardware ID
that matches the hardware ID of the device.
. The .inf file and the drivers for the device are signed.
. Windows XP can locate all the drivers for the device without
prompting the user for media locations (for example, the drivers are
included with the operating system, a vendor-supplied driver was previously
installed, or vendor-supplied driver files are preinstalled).
. The class installer and co-installers for the device do not open
properties at the end of the installation.
. The .inf file for the device does not indicate that the device
requires an interactive installation.
. RunOnce registry entries consist only of calls to the Rundll32.exe
file.
A server-side installation does not prompt the user for any additional
information and does not require administrator credentials. This type of
installation is known as "server-side" because the installation is performed
by Plug and Play Manager and interaction with a user-mode client is not
required.
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Client-side Installations
A client-side installation is a device installation that requires
communication with a user. A client-side installation occurs if any of the
following conditions are true: . Plug and Play Manager cannot find an .inf
file that contains a hardware ID that matches the hardware ID of the device.
. Plug and Play Manager cannot locate all the required driver files.
. The .inf file or the driver files for the device are not signed.
. Windows XP must prompt the user for additional information about the
installation (for example, where to find the driver files).
. A class installer or co-installer for the device opens properties at
the end of the installation.
. The device, bus, or bus driver does not support Plug and Play.
A client-side installation requires client installation software (for
example, the Add Hardware Wizard, the Found New Hardware Wizard, or a
vendor-supplied device installation program). The client software uses the
Setup application programming interface (API) to install the device, and the
Setup API uses services provided by Plug and Play Manager as required.
